Traverse Creek Botanical Special Interest Area

Stifle Claim Trail

For a picnic, a hike along a creek, and a display of numerous wildflowers, this is the spot for you!

Distance: You can just go a few feet from the trailhead if you prefer.  I hiked about 2 1/2 miles RT.

Difficulty:  Pretty easy.  There are no steep hills or creek crossings other than by bridges. 

Cautions:  Always watch your steps here.  Due to old mining, there may be holes and depressions.  Another caution is to watch out for rattlesnakes.  Make a little noise as you hike so they have a chance to get away. The surface may have some loose rock.  Wear good shoes, preferably providing ankle support.  Hikers may step over or around larger rocks, mossy roots, and mounds of vegetation. Another note is that I got too hot (93 in the shade) and my water got hot.  I used my little purifier and drank the creek water....also warm.  Bring an iced drink in an insulated container on a warm day.  (Snacks are a must, too!)

Driving Directions:  

From Georgetown, CA, drive 4.3 miles south on Highway 193. Turn left onto Meadowbrook Road. In 1.3 miles, Meadowbrook Road ends at Bear Creek Road. Reach the parking lot by doing a short zigzag left, then right, over the small bridge, as you cross Bear Creek Road.  It is posted "Day Use Only" but you won't see the name of the area.  Horse trailers can park there too, and equestrians use it to access a trail heading to the south (Det Mar).

OR

From US-50 in Placerville, turn left onto Spring St.  Turn left onto CA-49 N/Coloma Rd.  In 7.7 miles, turn right on Marshall Road.  In 5.6 miles turn right onto Black Oak Mine Road.  At the end of the road in .5 miles, turn left to stay on Black Oak Mine Road.  In .7 miles, at the end of the road, turn left onto CA 193 W.  In about 300 feet turn right onto Meadowbrook Road.  As above, in 1.3 miles it will meet Bear Creek Road.  Head to your left then quickly look to your right and enter the parking signed "Day Use Only".

In around a total of 2 miles, I found many wildflowers;  here are some for you to preview:

 To view wildflowers, please try not to crush other plants.  You never know if something beneath your feet is endangered.

The creek offers shady rests and a splash.

 As you can see, the creek is lined with ferns, willows, wild roses, blackberries, sedge, and other plants that compose this lush riparian area.  The surrounding hills are chaparral with serpentine (green rocks), grey pines, holly leaf redberries, azaleas, and conifer trees.

Leave the beauties where you find them.  They will wilt before you get very far, and fewer blooms will lead to fewer seeds. The survival of some of these species depends on their limited opportunities to reproduce.  Take photos!

  The valley is 220 acres with hills surrounding it.  The plants growing here have to be tolerant of the serpentine conditions in which many plants cannot survive.

 These plants are endemic or have adapted to the high magnesium, nickle, and chromium levels that would kill most nursery plants.  The soils also tend to be low in other nutrients most plants need, and conversely, these specialized plants cannot grow in soil with high nutrients.  (No use in taking them home!)

 Another feature of these plants is that many have little leafy foliage, and short blooming seasons.  Some plants have adapted by becoming smaller versions of their species with smaller blooms.

The popcorn flowers are an example of adaptation in size.  The ones in my area are taller with larger blooms.

Look closely at this paintbrush (enlarged) and check out the hairs all over it.  That is another adaptation to this environment some plants have developed to help retain moisture.

Established in 1988, the Traverse Creek area has the designation of being a Special Interest Area in an effort to preserve the unique plant communities that grow in the serpentine soil. The historical values are related to the mining that took place here for the emerald-like gemstones known as vesuvenite, and chromite.

For more technical information, check out El Dorado National Forest.

Happy Trails!

For more hikes in this area:

Trails by Locations

Edited 6/17/14, spelling correction

Miners Ravine near Roseville, CA

The trail head is behind UA Theaters on Eureka! 

Updated on Nov. 9, 2012: This local dirt trail is ideal for getting the kids outdoors. There is a stream with beaver dams, indian grinding rocks, shade, and room to run.  First I am posting new photos of the dazzling autumn colors (not edited or enhanced) from my hike yesterday (Nov, 2012) then the previously written article, photos, and information I had posted here before will follow.

Often you see ducks and geese here and occasionally some other wildlife.

Autumn 2012

 

Here in our community is this wonderful trail with rolling hills, trees, wildlife, a pond, and as strenuous or easy a hike as you personally choose. 



This is one view of the pond in Miners Ravine that invites geese, ducks, and other wildlife. Its a great place for a picnic with the kids!

This is where you leave the paved bike trail and head into the woods. It will be on your left just after you cross a foot bridge.

Foothill Hikers introduced me to this area or I wouldn't have know to get off of the bike trails!



At times you will walk along the creek and often in the shade.



You'll cross under this bridge, not picturesque yet, but it gets better!

One of my favorite ways to kick this one up a notch is to jog up and down these hills.  They are steeper than they look!



Ducks, geese and other wildlife visit the Miners Ravine Pond.  There aren't tables, but a blanket would do..

Soon you'll see the beaver dam and evidence of their residency! 

There are a couple of dams in place although I guess for flood reasons, sometimes they get disturbed.  The beavers are ambitious though and they erect new ones!

A little history here in our own backyard...historic indian grinding rocks!

More of the hills I like to jog...

I couldn't resist the reflections here!

Remember to look up for wildlife too!  Birds of prey live here as well as garden variety birds.

This is the creek as you near the end of this hike.

Miners Ravine Trail Map

Distance: 5.9 miles as posted, but so many options make it totally adjustable to fit your needs.
Difficulty: This can be easy to moderate as a hike. It would make a nice trail run also.
Location: It is in the Rocklin/Roseville area but easy access for Sacramento and Loomis right off of 80 near 65. I park at the back of the UA Theaters parking lot on Eureka Road near the marked trail head . It is posted and leaves the parking lot paved as a bicycle trail, but you'll turn off and hike as shown above.
You can park on the dead end street at the other end of the loop by taking Sierra College Road east off of Highway 80. Turn right on El Don Road. Turn left on Foothill Road. At the corner you turn right and it is then Greenbrae. Follow it to the end taking the left fork as shown on the map below.

Click on this Miners Ravine Trail elevation profile and see the details clearly.

download GPS tracks for this Miners Ravine Trail

Foothill Hikers also have tracks posted on Wikiloc with a hiking variation of this same area.

Happy Trails!

updated Nov. 2012