South Yuba Trail: Edwards Crossing--South Yuba Cmp
This lightly used trail provides a link in the South Yuba National Trail from Edwards Crossing to the South Yuba River Campground. Most users choose to drive to the Campground instead of using this link. However, gung ho trekkers that are doing a longer, thru hike prefer to use this single-track trail instead of hiking from Edwards Crossing up the county road to the Campground. Especially, purest like myself.
By itself, it’s a short but pleasant stroll, but if your goal is to the follow the National Trail from Purdon Crossing up to the Grouse Ridge Area, then this a handy link that saves hiking the dusty, county road.
...tiny part of the South Yuba National Recreation Trail.
...staying on the relatively gentle slopes above the river gorge.
DESCRIPTION:
1.2 Miles, moderate, elevations: 2180’-2600’, ½ - ¾ hour.
This small segment is a tiny part of the South Yuba National Recreation Trail. At this stretch it parallels the South Yuba River while staying on the relatively gentle slopes above the river gorge. In short, essentially no views of the river. Instead, the shady trail works its way moderately up slope though mixed conifers forest with several large old-growth firs. It ends at the lowest units of the South Yuba Campground.
When doing a through hike or ride or a full fledged backpacking trek, I prefer to use this single-track piece of the trail. If you want to drive up to the South Yuba Campground Trailhead to follow the National Trail upriver, then most likely you’ll skip this segment.
DIRECTIONS:
To South Yuba Trail: Edwards Crossing--South Yuba Cmp
Follow paved North Bloomfield Road north from the Highway 49 intersection (at its only stoplight) which lies on the north side of Nevada City. Travel for about 0.5 mile to a major intersection with the road to Purdons Crossing. Stay to right at this intersection and continue down the North Bloomfield Road to the river. The road is black topped to the Edward’s Crossing, but the last drop is steep, narrow, and not recommended for RVs or trailers.
After crossing Edwards Bridge continue northeast up the North Bloomfield Road towards Malakoff Diggins State History Park. The trail drops below the county road about 0.4 mile above the bridge at a prominent left-hand curve. The sma,l metal, informational sign that marks the trail sits below road level, so is not readily seen. Parking is on the wide-spot on the curve.
ACTIVITIES:
Mountain Biking (Rating: Best)
This segment works well for mountain bike riders that are doing a long trek up or downriver. The single-track is much more fun than the rocky county road that receives enough vehicle traffic that you have to stay alert. For bikes the trail is narrow at times and sloughed in to the point that the tread angles somewhat down slope. In short riders, be careful. Near the upper end below the Campground the trail works its way through a rocky segment that most riders will want to push the bike through it.
Hiking - Dayhikes (Rating: Good)
This short segment of the South Yuba River National Trail is pleasant enough single-track, but will mostly be used by trekers or backpackers intending to hike most of the National Trail. It’s much better than hiking up the county road.
Equestrian Trail Riding (Rating: Good)
Like mountain bike riders, a small caution to watch for the side hill slope to the trail’s narrow tread. But experienced horses will handle it readily
The larger problem of using the stretches above or below Edwards Crossing is the challenge of getting down the steep, narrow or rough roads with trailers. Coming in from the north via North Columbia and parking at the South Yuba River Campground is ok, however. Riders wanting to go downriver to Edwards and Purdon Crossings, can use this 1.2 mile segment and avoid all but 0.4 mile of North Bloomfield county road.
