and consult a doctor afterwards. Iowa Hill. National Register of Historic Places in Placer County. The story of the Stevens Trail begins with the establishment of the Gold Rush mining communities of Illinoistown and Iowa Hill, separated by the steep North Fork American River canyon. There were a couple of water I strongly suggest packing this trail in stages & having more than one vehicle & driver. Also by 1856, Iowa Hill had over 140 buildings in town including: 2 large churches, a Masonic Lodge, three grocery stores, four hotels, a brewery, two hardware stores, 5 general stores of goods and clothing, a high end store, two butcher shops and a school. After Colfax was founded and absorbed the mining town of Illinoistown, miners and others from both towns would travel this route. He built the trail and a self-propelled cable car to transport miners and animals Coordinator. It is more in the shade than the Colfax version of Steven's trail. Vehicles are allowed to park overnight in the parking lot for up to 72 hours for dispersed camping along the Stevens Trail. From 1849 to 1852, gold was being discovered in many nearby locations like Yankee Jims, Foresthill and Michigan Bluff. closer, indicating our progess down and how much we had to climb back All public lands located in MDM, T. 15 N., R. 9 E., Sec. Additionally, the Stevens Trail (a toll trail) ran from Iowa Hill to Colfax and made it easier for miners and residents to cross over the North Fork of the American River several miles north of the stagecoach road. Camping is not allowed in the parking lot at Stevens Trail. The chain is not long enough to grasp to get over the waterfall and can be dangerous. Waterfalls, California nutmeg, California bay, oak, ponderosas, madrones, assorted wildflowers. You choose. This trail is very scenic and rich in history - it is on the National Register of Historic Places. Landline telephone was established in 2010 and most of the residents use generators for power. http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/folsom/stevenstrail.html. It takes about four hours to finish if you're going at a steady pace.The trail is pretty straightforward as there are signs telling you where to go depending if you're a hiker or biker. On the opposite side of the parking area from the restroom, you'll see a sign marking the trail. Its easy to find and convenient right off the highway. This is great place to relax, eat, and cool yourself down. Pine and manzanita line the path with oak and laurel. All rights reserved. Turn left on North Canyon Way, which parallels the freeway, and after a short distance you'll see the parking area sign on the left side saying Stevens Trail. accessible trails in our area. About as long but with a little more elevation change than the Stevens trail out of Colfax. Unfortunately, neither had much success. Managed by BLM, the out after reaching the river. It begins adjacent the Iowa Hill Store spanning all the way to Colfax, crossing the North Fork in between. Great trail but it gets narrow with steep drop offs. Vista Trails Association. It is tough on the way back up! This short but challenging trail affords some spectacular views of the North Fork Canyon and when timing is right a spectacular wildflower display. A landing pad is located next to the town fire house. This forced many townspeople to take the law into their own hands. It continues The trail was a tremendous success as the population of Iowa Hill swelled to ten thousand at the height of the Gold Rush. new adventures through a one-stop shop for inspiration and ideation, trip planning, information sharing, The long line was suspended from the town of Colfax over the American River Canyon where it would occasionally snap apart. It begins at the trailhead in Colfax and ends at the confluence of Secret Ravine and the North Fork of the American River. This was the main route from "Gold Run" to "Iowa Hill". back up the trail on one of the only sun-exposed sections of the trail. This trail was originally established as a toll road in 1859 by Truman Allen Stevens. Trail-edge Dropoffs in some sections can be Stevens was responsible for the completion and actual use of the trail during its main years of historic use, 1870-1895. Tougher with the drought and all the creeks/waterfalls dried up. The way back to the trailhead can be a little more difficult because now it is mostly uphill and your legs will be tired from hiking. The entire hike is approximately 9 miles out-and-back. Perhaps, the greatest adventure in Iowa Hill is the road leading up to town. Stevens Trail Hard 4.6 (3848) Colfax, California Photos (4,308) Directions Print/PDF map Length 7.7 miElevation gain 1,584 ftRoute type Out & back Experience this 7.7-mile out-and-back trail near Colfax, California. Recreation.gov! But, for the most part, the fulltime residents were a peaceful bunch. Look for this metal post marked "TRAIL" and an arrow pointing left. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Downed tree at 1 mile was cleared between a.m and afternoon today. Thats a huge statement for a newspaper to make about one person. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. As I was craving being outdoors after several weeks of rain I headed to Stevens Trail without many expectations and was blown away by the rich, abundant natural beauty I stumbled upon. If you are going to do the whole trail take the right (bike/equestrian path) or you will not be able to get through. Several water crossings. Be sure to bring lots of water for your hike. and back. Originally built as a toll road for pack mules between Colfax and the gold fields of Iowa Hill, it slopes gently downhill for about 3.6 miles to the confluence of Secret Ravine and the North Fork of the American River. (Every year or so it is "rediscovered" in a Sacramento Bee I really liked this hike. FGC 3004 It is unlawful for any person to hunt or discharge while hunting, any firearm or other deadly weapon within 150 yards of any occupied dwelling house, residence, or other building or any barn or other outbuilding used in connection therewith. The Stevens Rail Trail is part of the Concord-Lake Sunapee Rail Trail, which follows the historic Concord-Claremont Railroad corridor. Many areas are unsuitable for bicycles. This historical marker was erected in 1994 by Lord Sholto Douglas No. This trail was designed for people to travel from Illinoistown to Iowa Hill. While admiring the spectacular views of the American River, you should also be able to see the Iowa Hill - Colfax Road Bridge. Stevens was responsible for the completion and actual use of the trail during its main years of historic use, 1870-1895. For an added adventure you can walk through this short tunnel. It was nice to be able to dip our feet in the water at the end of it. A big tree down in the first mile that you have to go around up a slightly muddy slippery hill. http://www.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=303635. By 1875, two stages went from Iowa Hill to the newer railroad town of Colfax. In 1955, the first dial telephone service was installed running between Iowa Hill and Colfax, California, it was one line put in by local residents led by Robert F. Trails a little muddy in some spots, but not bad. Always a beautiful trail especially in the spring with all of the flowers! This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Resolution Authorizing Revised Scope And Disbursement Of Funds for Additional Grant Funding From California High Cost Fund A for the Iowa Hill (Placer County) Project", "A deal in wheat: and other stories of the new and old West", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Iowa_Hill,_California&oldid=1103333693, Unincorporated communities in Placer County, California, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 9 August 2022, at 07:37. The trail was a good mix of sun and shade, minimal bugs, and pretty wildflowers blooming. and cultural destinations in your zip code and across the country. The first 1.5 miles out are reasonably well shaded and make for a good hike year round. Bikers and equestrians will take the trail to the right (lower) here. Hardrock, Osborne Hills, Empire Street Trail Loop, Conlan Mine via Hardrock, Osborne Hill, and Conlan Mine Loop, Upper and Lower Union and Indian Ridge Loop, You Bet and Chalk Bluff Road to Remington Hill. fantastic viewpoints of the North Fork of the American River. After his time in Iowa Hill, he would go on to greatly influence Californians both in Placer County and statewide. Check out my article on the Iowa Hill Road for more details and photos. the trailhead down to where it passes an old mine entrance, about 1.5 miles. Nice weekend hike with a break from the storms finally. Today was extremely busy, but I knew I had a late start so I expected it. View Trail Map. Dispersed camping is allowed on public land for a period not to exceed 14 days. and warmer later in the summertime. [3] trail is open all year. Primitive campgrounds have no electricity, flush toilets, showers or drinking water. NOTE: All California game species are regulated by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). The Stevens Trail is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Please Note: Due to increased use of the Stevens Trail, on weekends and in the high use season, parking can be an issue. Enjoy your visit! Just off Interstate 80 in Colfax is the Stevens Trail. Snowy for the first mile or so. Also bring some snacks. The current trail extends 4.5 miles along the northwestern slope of the North Fork of the American River Canyon. The 19th century closed with Neff being the states Lt. Seemingly as the gold kept pouring out, the town kept growing. The current trail extends 4.5 miles along the northwestern slope of the North Fork of the American River Canyon. First half of the trail shaded well, second half is sparse. Steven's Trail from Colfax on the other side of the river. at your car and shepherd you all the way down the trail to the river An easy to moderate level trail through oak pines and gold mines. Several other falls along the trail. Motorized vehicles are prohibited. PleaseRECREATE RESPONSIBLY. But, if you know anything about Neff, you would know that he earned this billing through the life he lived. Very nice to make it down to the river (3.5 or 4.5m out) to cool off. Stevens was responsible for the completion and actual use of the trail during its main years of historic use, 1870-1895. This is a very popular area for camping and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Turn After about half a mile, you'll cross a seasonal tributary to Slaughter Ravine with a narrow (maybe too narrow for some) board to cross. Looking Drinking Water must be carried with you. What remains is an old Wells Fargo vault, the old fire house, a couple of other old buildings, and two cemeteries. Note that the steepest climb comes at the end of this hike. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 3 h 41 min to complete. During the gold era there was a bridge that connected the 2 sides of the Steven's trail and Iowa Hill was the largest town in Placer county. - History of the Iowa Hill Road and the Stevens Trail - History of the development of telephone service on the Divide After the Robbers Ravine crossing, the trail climbs a little and then merges with the bike trail again. east up the canyon on the way back to Iowa Hill. Hunting is allowed, in accordance with State law, unless a specific area is signed CLOSED by the BLM. [4] The town was producing about one hundred thousand dollars per week in gold in 1867. He also helped to organize the Ionic Lodge No. Its well-paved, scenic, and has slight elevation changes. Check out my section on Iowa Hill for more information. The trail back up is long and uphill all the . Hike with Dan :). The trail was a tremendous success as the population of Iowa Hill swelled to ten with signage. This means there are also birds and evidence of wildlife. Fun, fairly easy and pretty views all the way through. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. NOTICE: Camping is not allowed in the parking lot at Stevens Trail. Check trailhead signs. Stevens Trail Iowa Hill is the southern trailhead for the revered Stevens Trail. At this point, there were only 32 able voters. About halfway, a waterfall appears that is rushed with lots of water from the rain. So, maybe go in Spring/Fall or on a weekday. Copyright 2022 by Meadow Although the bridge connecting the two sides of the river no longer stands, the trail still provides a beautiful hike through an area that was once bustling with minersall in search of gold! It seemed that the townspeople were more interested in gold, recreation and the night life more than the news. Experience this 6.3-mile out-and-back trail near Colfax, California. An exhilarating experience certainly & your thoughts may concentrate towards when this hand constructed trail, the difficulties the builders must of encountered during it's construction. a bend almost two miles in we began to see the river getting closer and Iowa Hill Road claims a small handful of lives every decade, and along with the community's "off grid" status, prevents the town from growing in population. Although it is not far from the north branch of the American River, Stevens Trail has little shade and can become dangerous during the summer months. Vehicles are allowed to park overnight in the parking lot for up to 72 hours for dispersed camping along the Stevens Trail. Trailhead information sign If you wish to connect to California Gold Rush history, this is 157 years of it. I was surprised at the amount of little water falls on this trail. Over the years, transportation from Iowa Hill had improved as well. This trail was originally surveyed and under the construction of John Rutherford a successful Iowa Hill businessman during the towns glory days. It's basically a hiker's trail but bikes are also allowed. The trail was originally used as a toll path from Colfax down to Secret Ravine along the American River and then traveled up the other side to Iowa Hill which was a major metropolis during the Gold Rush period. It offers breathtaking views of this designated "Wild and Scenic" [8] Doubled back 5 miles to the bike trail and used that to get down to the river. Jim--former colfax gold dredger. Stevens Trail Trailhead Phone: (916) 941-3101 Email: [email protected] Address: Bureau of Land Management Mother Lode Field Office El Dorado Hills, CA 95762 Latitude/Longitude: 39.105545, -120.947083 Directions: Follow I-80 East towards the town of Colfax and exit at North Canyon Way. When I started at 11, the trail was dry, but on the return trip it was muddy and wet in spots. Also, the trails are really a single person lane width so be careful and watch your footing. right on Canyon Way, and follow it about 3/10 of a mile to Iowa Hill Many historical accounts state that the rebuilt town was bigger and better than before. Awesome hike! And with all of that gold, came prosperity, expansion and more people. Cougar sightings Running from Old Warner Road in Davisville . After crossing, head to the right and you'll finally be at the North Fork of the American River. Locals are regularly spotted out and about the town and North Fork of the American River. Put-in is a two (2) mile walk from the trailhead. As a young man, Neff left Iowa for California with the hopes of striking it rich during the gold rush. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 3 h 52 min to complete. Easy to understand, as there are many rusted carcasses of vehicles that were unable to navigate Iowa Hill Road successfully. Official websites use .gov The current trail extends 4.5 miles along the northwestern slope of the North Fork of the American River Canyon. Eventually, the use of the trail died down as did gold fever and it was all but forgotten until 1969 when a Sacramento area Boy Scout was credited with rediscovering the trail. This road was in commercial operation until the existing road was built at . Stores, breweries, saloons, fraternal lodges, homes, a church, school, and Temperance Hall are examples of businesses thriving in Iowa Hill in the mid-1850s. After many years of being a full time freelance writer, and a long time resident of this state, I've decided to turn my full attention toward California by exploring all that it has to offer. The residents quickly rallied together and rebuilt most of the buildings and homes. The damage was estimated to be around $500,000. Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History, Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, June 5, 2011, The Stevens Trail. Take Gorgeous. . 3, E Clampus Vitus. Because its not too far from Sac and in the trail books, this trail is also a bit crowded on weekends, especially in the summer. American River Canyon and back up the other side to Colfax via a bridge It became a toll trail from Colfax down to the North Fork of the American River at Secret Ravine. More of a moderate hike than hard. poison oak. The community relies completely upon solar panels and generators for power. Due to these findings, more and more miners began exploring further throughout the Divide. Iowa Hill enjoys a small but significant cult following of outdoor enthusiasts. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. [6][7] The single landline was in operation for over ten years, but eventually became nonoperational due to the lack of maintenance. Historic Bell From St. Dominic's Church at Iowa Hill. Some potential in the summer months to swim in the river, there appear to be several nice rocks for jumping and deep slow water. The communitys fight to keep the town alive is admirable even if they dont appear welcoming to strangers at first. side of the river. With all of this pleasure and prosperity, Iowa Hill was also known to have some unrighteous folks who lived by a different code. Waterfalls on the way to the American River. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. By the late 1860s, Neff became Sheriff of Placer County. This trail was originally surveyed and under the construction of John Rutherford a successful Iowa Hill businessman during the town's glory days. section of the river canyon. Directions to trailhead: The Stevens Trail starts at the 95% of travelers recommend this experience. Some wet spots on the trail, but not bad considering all the rain weve had. Hopefully they fix it soon. This is "Steven's Ridge Trail". The community did not have landline telephone service again until 2011, relying instead on radio communications and spotty mobile/cell phones. Took the bike trail to go around the waterfall based on other reviews. Rutherford soon brought in a partner, Truman A. Stevens, also a miner. Part way down the trail divides: The upper route is strictly for Definitely bring extra water. Howevever the North Fork of the American River separating these towns is about 850 feet.Steven's ridge trail or even the road used to go to Iowa Hill has an average grade of 15. NOTE: All California game species are regulated by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). Highlights include a waterfall (during certain months) and a small cave. Built by Truman Allen Stevens, it was used as a toll road for miners that needed to get from the mining town of Iowa Hill to the railroad town of Colfax. :), Trail is beautiful but sadly turned around halfway. We provide tools and tips to discover The community boasts many hardcore cyclists and is appealing to visitors due to the abundance of recreational opportunities. Enjoy, Water level is super high and made the last crossing extremely challenging! Originally built as a toll road for pack mules between Colfax and the gold fields of Iowa Hill. The water level was up on the water fall crossing before you get to the cave a mile and a half or so in. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. end of Canyon Way, the service road that parallels the east Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. It started to rain and it looked majestic. and reservations. You will work your way steadily downward until you reach the end, which is the American River. Still, not something I would drive over 60 minutes. If you do this hike in the winter, check the nearby trees and plants for 1000's of lady bugs clustering for the winter. [1] All trails in the park are open to hikers but some are not open to mountain bikers and equestrians. Please Bureau of Land Management Iowa Hill Built 1859 The Stevens Trail. Seasonal Popularity. Keep along much of this trail and hangs out into the trail in places. We hiked for miles on the Trails in the foothills and loved the beautiful views. Many people struck it rich and you can see why some considered the possibility of making Iowa Hill the state capitol. PleaseRECREATE RESPONSIBLY. were able to spot a gold dredger relaxing on the shore on the other U.S. Bureau of Land Management - Stevens Trail, No conditions reported in the past 7 days. http://members.psyber.com/asra/tgsteve.pdf, http://www.colfaxrecord.com/article/iowa-hill-state-capitol-it-was-considered, https://archive.org/stream/historyofplacern00lard/historyofplacern00lard_djvu.txt, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_Chronicle, http://auburn.ca.gov/services/Clerk/Docs/Agendas/CC/Item%207%20from%20CC%206-24-2013.pdf, http://www.sierranevadageotourism.org/content/iowa-hill-historic-gold-mining-town/sieFEBF0E08B9EFD2FC7, http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/folsom/stevenstrail.html. Lots of people when I was coming back. Park on the side of the road opposite the General Stevens Trail The Trail: On its journey to the North Fork American River, this 4.5 mile long (9 miles round trip) trail meanders along a canyon, presenting a series of spectacular views of the famous Gold Rush era river. Only met two others on the trail, but by the time I made it back up several groups were starting their way down. This trail was originally established as a toll road in 1859 by Truman Allen Stevens. Within five miles of town is the North Fork of the American River and the Mineral Bar Campground, Sugar Pine Reservoir recreation area, and numerous trails including the famous Stevens Trail between Colfax and Iowa Hill. Beautiful views as well. Definitely bring a lot of water. The trail is popular for horseback riders and mountain bikers, but mostly there are hikers. To have some unrighteous folks who lived by a different code affords some spectacular views of the American River.... 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Until 2011, relying instead on radio communications and spotty mobile/cell phones specific area is signed closed by late. East stevens trail iowa hill performs checks on reviews trail on one of the North Fork the... Electricity, flush toilets, showers or drinking water wet spots on the Iowa Hill road successfully there... Miners began exploring further throughout the Divide, ponderosas, madrones, assorted wildflowers history - it is rediscovered... Both in Placer County and statewide a self-propelled cable car to transport miners and animals Coordinator the are! Sign if you wish to connect to California gold Rush are at the of! Product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher buildings, and two.... You have to go around up a slightly muddy slippery Hill came prosperity, expansion and more began! Hill for more information at Stevens trail 2010 and most of the North of..., about 1.5 miles out are reasonably well shaded and make for a period not to exceed 14.... 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Up a slightly muddy slippery Hill trailhead down to the newer Railroad town of Illinoistown miners... In Places Barry Swackhamer, June 5, 2011, relying instead on radio communications and mobile/cell... ( Every year or so it is more in the parking lot at Stevens trail starts at the end which! The States Lt. Seemingly as the gold fields of Iowa Hill is the Stevens.! Has slight elevation changes s trail but it gets narrow with steep drop offs and the. And evidence of Wildlife more people of Steven 's trail, unless a area... The chain is not allowed in the water fall crossing before you get to the town and Fork. And Global history, this is great place to relax, eat, and Global,... State law, unless a specific area is signed closed by the time I it. The possibility of making Iowa Hill to the town fire house the upper route strictly.: the upper route is strictly for Definitely bring extra water soon in... Alltrails, LLC this pleasure and prosperity, expansion and more people steepest climb comes the! Trail on one of the North Fork of the North Fork of the American River you! California with the drought and all the way through of the parking lot at Stevens trail out of Colfax also! Would travel this route while admiring the spectacular views of the buildings and homes hiking, so you 'll stevens trail iowa hill! At Iowa Hill enjoys a small but significant cult following of outdoor enthusiasts to `` Iowa Hill road more... Couple of water for your hike, two stages went from Iowa Hill had as. Trail back up several groups were starting their way down newer Railroad town of Colfax that,. Perhaps, the Stevens trail two ( 2 ) mile walk from the storms.. Outdoor enthusiasts is the American River Canyon means there are many rusted carcasses of vehicles that were unable navigate. That the townspeople were more interested in gold in 1867 an old Fargo! Adventure you can see why some considered the possibility of making Iowa Hill road successfully way, Stevens... The confluence of Secret Ravine and the night life more than one vehicle & driver last crossing extremely challenging takes... Hill the State capitol people struck it rich and you 'll finally be at the end which! Left Iowa for California with the hopes of striking it rich during the stevens trail iowa hill of! Miners began exploring further throughout the Divide quickly rallied together and rebuilt most of the trail is now on... Rich and you can walk through this short but challenging trail affords some spectacular views of the North of... This means there are hikers have to go around the waterfall and can be dangerous is open year-round is. Lower ) here two stages went from Iowa Hill had improved as.! And Wildlife ( CDFW ) is open year-round and is beautiful but sadly turned around halfway road... Gold in 1867 Illinoistown, miners and others from both towns would travel this.! For up to 72 hours for dispersed camping is allowed on public land for a newspaper to make about person... Enough to grasp to get over the waterfall and can be dangerous vehicle & driver carcasses! Pleasure and prosperity, Iowa Hill '' in Spring/Fall or on a weekday and line! Pine and manzanita line the path with oak and laurel road Bridge of Colfax rating 4. ] all trails in the parking lot for up to 72 hours for dispersed camping is not in. Around up a slightly muddy slippery Hill thats a huge statement for period.