North Yuba

4 photos and map
by Clarence

Despite the thunderstorms of the night before, nine of us drove to Rocky Rest campground on Hwy 49. Clarence pointed the way and we (Clarence, Frank Harpold, Jim, Tammy, Maureen, Frank and Ellen, and John and Elly hiked up the trail (Barbara Gable Memorial Trail) to the lunch site somewhat short of the halfway point to Goodyear Bar. During lunch Frank Hamlin suggested to John that they, as the drivers, could hike back to the cars, allowing the rest of us to hike the rest of the way to Goodyear's Bar. They drove around and hiked back along the trail to meet us. The trail was beautifully engineered - a single track the whole 7.5 miles (or was it actually almost 9 miles?) as it wended its way in and out of canyons and skirted immense rock outcroppings. Fall color was evident especially the yellow Big leafed Maples. The North Yuba was beautiful in it's race down the canyon. Clarence pointed out that during spring run-off , the falls make the trail impassable as immense waterfalls tumble down to the trail and fill the streams. Toward the end of the trail, the skies got gray and we got pelted for a while.

The weather makes it difficult for us to decide on a hike for next week. But meet the group at 8:30 for the options.