Pioneer Trail, Lone Grave Trails and Rock Creek Nature Trail.
Located east of the Harmony Ridge Market, along highway 20 lies the Pioneer Trail. This trail provides a great day for mountain biking, horse riding, trail running, hiking, dog walking, pine cone hunting, bird watching, just about anything you want to do. The Gold Country Trails Council built the trail many years ago.
When the trail was built some 20yrs ago, the owner of the property decided to put in parking spaces to give the mountain bikers somewhere to park, hoping they would get something to eat after their ride. Remember, our parking lot has to accommodate market customers as well as Recreation Realty clients. The Pioneer trail provides an excellent ride for biking of all levels, that’s why it’s so popular. The hard work of the current owners has provided a wonderful atmosphere, by providing made to order sandwiches, homemade bakery, and a place to eat outside under the trees. The store gets busy with campers in the summer and more parking is needed for the store. Please respect the parking situation by only parking in designated trail parking spaces.
As biking has become more popular the trail gets a fair amount of bicyclist. Be aware that horses have the right of way. There are no motorized vehicles allowed on the trail as well.
The Pioneer Trail;
The pioneer consists of 3 sections. The lower will go from the Market 6.3 miles East to White Cloud Camp ground. The Middle Pioneer will take you from White Cloud to Omega. The Upper Pioneer Trail goes from Omega to Bowman Lake Road. The whole trail is 25miles one-way and becomes more challenging the higher you go. For beginners the ride from the parking lot to Conservation Camp road is about 2.5 miles one-way. It is a good practice ride to familiarize yourself with your bike. The middle section is more challenging for you advanced riders. Downhill bikes will do ok if you can shuttle up higher. Even coming down pioneer trail there are some climbs. Single cloggers rejoice, this is a great ride for you guys.
This trail can be narrow and fast in some places with a lot of blind corners. Always wear your helmet.
The Lone Grave Trail System,
Looking for somewhere new to ride? How about a cool ride under the sierra pines? Located just east of Nevada City on highway 20 is the newly renovated Lone Grave Trail System. This newest section of trails will add to the existing Pioneer trail. Within the Lone grave trails is a loop that will take you to a unique place for you and your horse to relax. The BLUE trail will take you to this charming little store called the Harmony Ridge Market. This place provides an excellent destination for riders and horses alike. Offering 15 horse hook-ups, water trough, outdoor seating and food to feed you and your horse. The market offers a wide variety of fresh sandwiches, barbecue, and an assortment of homemade baked goods. You can also pick up a carrot or apple for your horse while you rest out back. Lone Grave Trails System is located off Conservation Camp Road, ¼ mile on the left. Lots of space for trailer parking. Over flow parking can be found along highway 20 across from Lone Grave. For over night horse camping, Skillman Group Camp is located 10 miles east of the Harmony Ridge Market. Trails are created and maintained by GCTC and we want to thank them for all their hard work and business.
Rock Creek Nature Trail
Located 2.5 miles past the Harmony Ridge Market; turn Left on Conservation Camp road. Turn left at Rock Creek sign and drive down dirt road approximately a mile. The nature trail is an easy 1mile loop through native trees and plants. This interpretive trail has been used for many years in school nature study programs. Native plants and trees are identified. Brochures are available at the trailhead.
Other Trails:
To get to Nevada City from the Harmony Ridge Market, cross the road at Scotts Flat Rd and ride trail West down Hwy 20. Take first road on the left (Willow Valley Rd). Take Willow Valley Rd down 1.5 miles where you will see the NID canal on your right. Take the canal west towards town. There is a loop (Taxi Cab) you can do half way through. Cross Hwy 20 and ride single track down to Manzanita Dr.
Miners Trail
To get to Nevada City from the Harmony Ridge Market, cross the road at Scotts Flat Rd and ride trail West down Hwy 20 approximately 1mile. Cross Hwy 20 and ride the road, about 100ft and take a right at the BIG OAK tree.
Scotts Drop
Is closed by TNF temporarily.
***NEW PIONEER EXTENSION TRAIL****
A new trail is planned to replace the existing Scotts Drop with a more friendly grade and also on public property. With the coordination of Cal Trans, USFS,and NID the trail should see some work being done as early as this summer.
Dascombe Drop
located at the end of dascombe trail, drops you into Rock Creek Nature Reserve. Watch for horses.
Other things to do near the store;
White water rafting in Spring can be rated a 4 following a rainy season and high snow melt levels. Ride above little town of Washington and ride the South Yuba and Canyon Creek. Check the flow chart at www.amercianwhitewater.org
Bouldering;
Lots of bouldering and rock climbing can be found East on Hwy 20. Stop into the store and get a sandwich before the climb. Take Hwy 20 East to Bowman Lake Rd. Take a left and drive to the first bridge. Park and walk Pioneer Trail to Emeralds. Numerous bouldering routes can be found along with great swimming and hiking.
When the trail was built some 20yrs ago, the owner of the property decided to put in parking spaces to give the mountain bikers somewhere to park, hoping they would get something to eat after their ride. Remember, our parking lot has to accommodate market customers as well as Recreation Realty clients. The Pioneer trail provides an excellent ride for biking of all levels, that’s why it’s so popular. The hard work of the current owners has provided a wonderful atmosphere, by providing made to order sandwiches, homemade bakery, and a place to eat outside under the trees. The store gets busy with campers in the summer and more parking is needed for the store. Please respect the parking situation by only parking in designated trail parking spaces.
As biking has become more popular the trail gets a fair amount of bicyclist. Be aware that horses have the right of way. There are no motorized vehicles allowed on the trail as well.
The Pioneer Trail;
The pioneer consists of 3 sections. The lower will go from the Market 6.3 miles East to White Cloud Camp ground. The Middle Pioneer will take you from White Cloud to Omega. The Upper Pioneer Trail goes from Omega to Bowman Lake Road. The whole trail is 25miles one-way and becomes more challenging the higher you go. For beginners the ride from the parking lot to Conservation Camp road is about 2.5 miles one-way. It is a good practice ride to familiarize yourself with your bike. The middle section is more challenging for you advanced riders. Downhill bikes will do ok if you can shuttle up higher. Even coming down pioneer trail there are some climbs. Single cloggers rejoice, this is a great ride for you guys.
This trail can be narrow and fast in some places with a lot of blind corners. Always wear your helmet.
The Lone Grave Trail System,
Looking for somewhere new to ride? How about a cool ride under the sierra pines? Located just east of Nevada City on highway 20 is the newly renovated Lone Grave Trail System. This newest section of trails will add to the existing Pioneer trail. Within the Lone grave trails is a loop that will take you to a unique place for you and your horse to relax. The BLUE trail will take you to this charming little store called the Harmony Ridge Market. This place provides an excellent destination for riders and horses alike. Offering 15 horse hook-ups, water trough, outdoor seating and food to feed you and your horse. The market offers a wide variety of fresh sandwiches, barbecue, and an assortment of homemade baked goods. You can also pick up a carrot or apple for your horse while you rest out back. Lone Grave Trails System is located off Conservation Camp Road, ¼ mile on the left. Lots of space for trailer parking. Over flow parking can be found along highway 20 across from Lone Grave. For over night horse camping, Skillman Group Camp is located 10 miles east of the Harmony Ridge Market. Trails are created and maintained by GCTC and we want to thank them for all their hard work and business.
Rock Creek Nature Trail
Located 2.5 miles past the Harmony Ridge Market; turn Left on Conservation Camp road. Turn left at Rock Creek sign and drive down dirt road approximately a mile. The nature trail is an easy 1mile loop through native trees and plants. This interpretive trail has been used for many years in school nature study programs. Native plants and trees are identified. Brochures are available at the trailhead.
Other Trails:
To get to Nevada City from the Harmony Ridge Market, cross the road at Scotts Flat Rd and ride trail West down Hwy 20. Take first road on the left (Willow Valley Rd). Take Willow Valley Rd down 1.5 miles where you will see the NID canal on your right. Take the canal west towards town. There is a loop (Taxi Cab) you can do half way through. Cross Hwy 20 and ride single track down to Manzanita Dr.
Miners Trail
To get to Nevada City from the Harmony Ridge Market, cross the road at Scotts Flat Rd and ride trail West down Hwy 20 approximately 1mile. Cross Hwy 20 and ride the road, about 100ft and take a right at the BIG OAK tree.
Scotts Drop
Is closed by TNF temporarily.
***NEW PIONEER EXTENSION TRAIL****
A new trail is planned to replace the existing Scotts Drop with a more friendly grade and also on public property. With the coordination of Cal Trans, USFS,and NID the trail should see some work being done as early as this summer.
Dascombe Drop
located at the end of dascombe trail, drops you into Rock Creek Nature Reserve. Watch for horses.
Other things to do near the store;
White water rafting in Spring can be rated a 4 following a rainy season and high snow melt levels. Ride above little town of Washington and ride the South Yuba and Canyon Creek. Check the flow chart at www.amercianwhitewater.org
Bouldering;
Lots of bouldering and rock climbing can be found East on Hwy 20. Stop into the store and get a sandwich before the climb. Take Hwy 20 East to Bowman Lake Rd. Take a left and drive to the first bridge. Park and walk Pioneer Trail to Emeralds. Numerous bouldering routes can be found along with great swimming and hiking.
