Historic Independence Trail, CA ~ Wheelchair Accessible

Take a hike! Independence Trail near Nevada City is a dirt wheelchair and stroller accessible trail. Then, a waterfall!

DIRECTIONS:  Take Highway 49 north of Nevada City, CA to the parking shown below.  (Estimates are 5-8 miles out of Nevada City.)  South Yuba River State Park manages this area and provides a map online.  From Sacramento allow about 1 1/2 hours each way.
Difficulty:  Easy to moderate based on whether you stay on the main trail or head down to the swimming holes.
The trail is well marked so no GPS tracks are necessary, although sites do have several peoples' tracks loaded.

There are handicapped parking spots marked.

At the trail head, there are wheelchair accessible vault toilets.  Turn to the right for this hike to the waterfalls and swimming holes described in this post.  It will lead you under the highway through a tunnel that is too short to stand upright in. 

I chose to go down this Jones Bar spur on the right to see the creek, river, and swimming holes I have read about.  It is not stroller or wheelchair friendly, but is a great short, although steep hike if you came to picnic and swim.

You might endure a brief hot, sunny, section but most of it is shady on your way down, less than one mile, to the water.

This was my first, disheartening, sight of the water.  Nearly dry this year.

The previous photo was taken from this bridge.  I suggest you cross it (although there is a wide looking trail before the bridge, it is harder to get to the swimming holes from it) then take the trail on your right that is scarcely wider than a deer path.  Trust me.

It forks so take the left option and you will find this entrance to two very large and deep, perfect, adjacent swimming holes.  Do be prepared to avoid poison oak!  All of the warnings expected such as: don't dive from rocks, kids need life vests, no glass containers, and so on apply.

There are some sandy areas and lots of giant rocks to sun on.

 If you either skip the spur mentioned or return to the main trail, you are treated to excellent resting places, all accessible.  In days gone by, restrooms were stationed along the trail with wheelchair accessibility, but they are no longer maintained and are boarded up.

Continue along the trail and flumes.  The trail is mostly divided for strollers and wheelchairs on a lower level along the old flume, and the upper more narrow strip is for hikers.  There are rustic benches along the way too, some with distant views and others are places to take time to breathe in the forest and soak in the peace.

Visitors are soon rewarded with this open view of the flume in a horseshoe shape curving around

the canyon wall. The creek is gurgling pleasantly far below. Some people get squeamish here,

so maybe avoid looking down.  It is all in good repair at this time and you can't fall unless you

climb the rails and topple over. To your left will be a wooden flume traversing the canyon wall down

 to the waterfall and creek.

Small benches to rest on and absorb the views and nature are stationed here and there.  At

the bottom you can refresh with a splash or two from the creek.  And by the way, I met hikers

with dogs, all leashed and picked up after.  It was a pleasant outing for all.

I met Georgie there, a well behaved rescue who you can read about here.

This is part of the Rush Creek Falls that normally drops in a series of cascades,

the longest being a double tier falling 50 feet under the flume bridge overhead.

After a snack, splashes, and rest, I resumed hiking the trail around the bend. 

Often the trees are too tall and thick for views but I took in this gratifying view...

and nearly stepped on....

this wildlife surprise!

I decided to turn back at this point because the trail was less maintained. 

But this lone bright lily stood out!

A small reward for having continued!

This is an out and back trail I highly recommend.

In addition, check out the

Independence Trail Herb Walks

PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED: $20 prepaid or $35/both walks, prepaid. $25 at walk if space, but walks limited to 16 people so usually fill. Must pre-register via email, mail or phone; mail payment to secure place. Confirmation and directions 4 days in advance (payment refundable till then). Kids free, but number limited; teens half price. Rain cancels. checks/MO to Kathi Keville at: Oak Valley Herb Farm, PO Box 2482, Nevada City, CA 95959 530-274-3140 www.ahaherb.com HERB WALKS ...a botanical adventure with herbalist and author Kathi Keville.  Her 40+ years of herbal knowledge shines through energetic discussions about their science, lore and edible, medicinal, and other uses, and how to identify, prepare and use them. (You'll receive a plant list.) Trails are short and easy with 40 herbs, and we move slowly! Kathi has been giving walks on these trails for 25 years and they are her favorites! These walks are offered only once a year at peak bloom. Picnic areas if you want to bring lunch for afterwards. Taken from Meetup.com 2014

For more hikes, visit Trails by Locations

HAPPY TRAILS!

Edit: added aprox. driving time from Sacramento 7/6/2015

Codfish Creek Falls, River Access, Family Fun

This is an especially fun family day trip.  The 50 foot waterfalls tickle the kids and it is a short, mostly shady, hike.  Then for the heat of the day enjoy the swimming holes back toward the bridge with room to sun in, shade to picnic, and natural pools to swim and fish.  Near Auburn.

 

 

The 2.8 mile out and back trail heads downriver along North Fork American River, near Weimar, and ends at the beautiful year round 40-50 foot waterfall and creek. 

 

Parking is alongside the dirt road that is in car condition this August, 2012. 



Codfish Falls also known as Codfish Creek Falls

is reportedly 40-50 feet high. 

There are large flat boulder areas beside the falls,

great for picnicking in the shade!

The trail has some steep offshoots that take you to the river
but it's well maintained to the falls
and gets morning sun and
afternoon shade. 
Perfect! 
I have seen families with all ages of children here.

 The creek flows down to the river and adds
to the pleasant atmosphere for just hanging out.
 

There is a trail less maintained that heads uphill to
a boulder that two can comfortably sit on and view the falls,
hidden from the visitors below.

Of course, fun wildlife lives back there!

I may not recommend it, but I bushwhacked up the other side of the falls. 
The rocks are slippery and the blackberry vines get prickly!  A person
gives you some perspective on the height of the falls. 
Find Peach Hiker at the falls!

Back at the bridge,

Families can find areas near the shoreline to swim and picnic.



There is plenty of room to get comfortable and cast out some lines. 
The couple is Brandon and Jen. 

We caught a nice trout,



and well, a frog that day!

That's me, Peachy Hiker with my fishing pole enjoying the sun and company!

Get out your poles and fishing gear. 

Pack a picnic and your swimming stuff,

to have a perfect family day!

Directions:

• From Highway 80 (east of Auburn),  exit at Weimar Cross Road.

• Turn right onto Ponderosa Way, heading south. (Stay to the right at Cross Road. )

• Drive south for 5.8 miles down the canyon.

• 2.5 miles before the river the road becomes a dirt road that is suitable for most cars at this time. 

• This is now a fee area.  They are collected by park rangers at the top at the dirt road.  You will see park personnel there and at the river. Carry your fishing license.

To go to the falls,

Start hiking downriver from the bathrooms. Just follow the trail and you'll find the falls. 

To swim and fish, there are quite a few places to get down to the river.  Across the bridge is where we fished and swam.

More hikes for you in this area:

 

ASRA ~ Auburn State Recreation District

• American Canyon Trail & Waterfalls in Cool, CA
• Training Hill in Auburn/Cool, CA
• Western States Trail (WST) from Confluence to Auburn
• Confluence Memorial Day Hike
• Mossy Rock Trail, Auburn, CA
• Cardiac Bypass-North Fork

BLM ~ Bureau of Land Management

Near Auburn, CA

• Dave Moore Nature Area

OR:     Trails by Locations

Happy Trails!

edited 8-2012

American Canyon Trail and Waterfalls

One of several cascades we enjoyed finding, Tarzan vines and all!

Hike Length: 4.3 miles out and back, but there are a variety of options so you can choose up to 18.9 miles one way by hiking to Auburn, or other options that take you down to the river and connect with the Quarry Trail or WST. The trails are marked with mileage signs and trail names at forks.
Difficulty: Easy to strenuous depending on your choices.  Getting to some waterfalls is narrow and steep.
Elevation range of this hike: 891-1822 feet.

 As you can tell from the photo, we had the good luck of nice weather.  The trail has lots of shade and along with the creek, waterfalls and pools, it was a nearly perfect day!

The trail starts out wide and heads downhill, but soon enough it will narrow and occasionally the footing is less secure.    My hiking poles help me balance in the steep areas.  Good shoes help too.  At the first fork, go right, down toward the stream.

Wildflowers were blooming profusely in open sunny areas.

There are several creek crossings even for a short version of the hike but they are equipped with stones you can usually step across.

We sat at the top of this waterfall, in the shade, cooling off from our hike through dense, tall, rather pretty poison oak to get to this spot along the stream.  It involved a little boulder scramble and creek crossing too. We made it with dry feet and hardly any biting bugs!

For the adventurous, there is even a Tarzan vine hanging over the falls

and pool!  I am not saying try it out, but tempting, huh?

Downstream view of a pool from our snack/rest rock at the top of the falls.

Our next challenge was to get from our resting boulder up this stream to another waterfall and pool without wearing waders!  Some of the rocks are slippery, but we made it, more wet from sweat than the creek.

We arrived at this tranquil, inviting waterfall pool, and even more fun was the knowledge that we had a secluded wilderness experience right downhill from a neighborhood of hikers, bicyclists, and equestrians, but got the trails and pools to ourselves.

***The following photos are from Sept. 20, 2012.  Water was so low that I couldn't get a decent shot of American Falls, so settled for a few of the hike and the creek:



My first view of the canyon on this day's hike.

Beware of this evergrown area. 

 A rattler hissed and rattled but I froze.  I couldn't see it or tell where it was.  I finally shot straight up then forward and he missed me.  Stubborn snake didn't just slither into the vines, but hung out in the shade of the berry growth.

Looking for places to experiment with my new camera, I headed down the canyon farther and at this creek crossing found this fella.  You can see how little water was flowing.

Just another pretty bend in the creek with colorful foliage.

Driving directions:  Take Highway 193 east from Cool, California for 5.8 miles. Turn left on Sweetwater.  This is known as the third gate of the gated community.
If you see the sign for the town of Greenwood, turn around. On the day we went here the street sign was missing, so all I can suggest is drive slowly, watch your mileage, and make sure you don't pass the sign for Greenwood.
When you have turned, you will see the small free parking (in spring of 2012) at the trailhead on your right before the gated entry into Auburn Lake Trails Community.

ASRA ~ Auburn State Recreation District

• American Canyon Trail & Waterfalls in Cool, CA
• Olmstead Knickerbocker Trails
• Training Hill in Auburn/Cool, CA
• Western States Trail (WST) from Confluence to Auburn
• Confluence Memorial Day Hike
• Mossy Rock Trail, Auburn, CA
• Cardiac Bypass-North Fork
• BLM ~ Bureau of Land Management
  Near Auburn, CA
  • Dave Moore Nature Area
  
  State Park In Coloma:
• Dutch Creek Falls
  

Hikes By Locations
Peachy Hiker's Table of Contents

Updated 7-2013

Edited May 2014