Diggins Loop Trail
The mostly-flat trail loops through the moonscape-bottom of the large, historic hydraulic mine at Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park. Today, multi-hued walls blasted over 150 years ago into an ancient river bed mimic the hues of a miniature, man-made version of Utah’s Bryce Canyon. Catch the slanting, afternoon sunlight, and the walls glow against the verdant, forested hills.
...loops through the moonscape- bottom of the large, historic hydraulic mine at Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park.
Cottonwoods, willows and brush turn their own shades of yellows and gold each fall...
DESCRIPTION:
2.7 miles loop, easy, elevations: 3300’-3080’-3300’, 1½ hours, no bikes. Parking fees were $5 in 2007.
The rich greens of returning pine and fir forest rim the bowl and serve as a frame to the photogenic hues of gold, orange and tan colored walls. But the walk traverses through the stark remains of Gold Rush hydraulic mining practices best remembered, not for their other-world beauty, but for what we’ve learned from history. Don’t repeat it.
Legal battles between mine owners and downstream farmers ended this mining practice that washed whole hillsides into the downstream rivers and even California’s Central Valley. The roar of the Monitors, water canons used to wash hillsides away in the miners’ look for gold, is history. Except for happy laughter of Park visitors, peace and quiet has returned to the area. And Mother Nature is slowly reclaiming her spot.
Visit while the remains are so vivid. This is an intriguing insight into California’s gold rush history that is colorful in more ways than one. Proof that history is not always dry.
Vibrant new greens of riparian plants return each spring and the pond formed above the drain tunnel is the host of cattails and riparian plants that turn brown in the fall while the still waters reflect blue skies often dotted by clouds. Cottonwoods, willows and brush turn their own shades of yellows and gold each fall – my favorite time to visit.
Trail is marked by 4x4 posts, but several are practically buried. Watch for the posts as the trail all but disappears where it has been covered by ever-continuing erosion of the nearly naked banks cut into the hillsides. The trail scrambles up a couple of hills, and if you elect to drop down into the basin from North Bloomfield or Chute Hill Campground, there’ll be modest climbs back out.
A Monitor sits above the West Overlook access trail. It makes a great foreground highlight for a picture of the Diggins. Best light for pictures within the basin are afternoons.
Options:
Visit the Hiller Tunnel, and, if you are adventurous, scramble through the 600’ tunnel that was used by the miners to drain the Diggins. Hints, such as take flashlights and wear old shoes for sloshing in some water, are listed in the Hiller Tunnel Trail description.
Combine this trail with the Rim Trail for maximum effect and appreciation of what happened here nearly 150 years ago. That trail no longer offers good views into the basin. New-growth trees and manzanita block all but one vista. The combined trails can be linked into a double loop totaling 7 miles.
Visit Blair Lake. I enjoy combine a visit to the lake with the Upper Humbug Creek Trail to make a small, pleasant loop.
Best of all stroll around North Bloomfield, the historic community that was home to the miners. Many structures have been reconstructed by California State Parks. Visit the museum, take a ranger led tour, camp in the Park’s Chute Hill Campground, or sleep nights in authentic but totally rustic miner’s cabins, rental units that allow visitors to experience life much as the miner’s lived it. Did I mention rustic?
| Miles | Elevation Range | Options |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3300’-3080’-3300’ |
|
DIRECTIONS:
To Diggins Loop Trail
Directions: Drive 11 miles north of Nevada City via Highway 49, turn east on Tyler Foote Crossing Road. Follow this paved road with its painted yellow center-line even though it changes names to Cruzon then Backbone Roads in the 15 miles to Derbec Road. At this intersection turn right and follow it until you enter the Park. First time visitors should stop at the Visitor Center in downtown North Bloomfield. Call 530-265-2740 or see www.cal-parks.ca.gov and search Malakoff.
There are four access points: Church Trail from town site, Diggins Overlook via the Rim Trail – either northern or southern segments, Main Overlook and West Overlook. Unless you were smart enough to send a couple days camping in the Park at the Chute Hill Campground, the West Overlook is generally the easiest. Parking fees required by California State Parks
ACTIVITIES:
Hiking: Dayhikes (Rating: Best)
This totally unique hike is more history lesson than it is a chance to visit the natural environment. Still Mother Nature is slowly reclaiming the site, and the stark beauty is as fascinating as it is photogenic. The loop is a nice stroll and intriguing place to spend a few hours. But don’t do the hike by itself – combine it with other experiences available at the Park.
Mountain Biking (Rating: Prohibited)
Historic Sites (Rating: Exceptional)
This is the site of historically the largest and richest hydraulic gold mine in the world. The mine, which consisted of an open pit over a mile long and reportedly 600 feet deep, was closed down in 1884 by a court decision. Today the Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park offers unique hiking and outdoor opportunities unparalleled anywhere else.
Much of the town of North Bloomfield remains and offers a glimpse of the life of the miners in the mid-1800s. The park offers guided walking tours of the reconstructed dwellings and businesses. Nice museum. Hours reduced in winter. Call ahead: phone (530) 265-2740.
