Look for the Hidden Falls Access Trail on your right, and follow it downstream for about half a mile. The Blue Oak Loop Trail now descends back down to the Deadman Creek Gorge. Shaded fire break on North Legacy Way note the lack of underbrush The removal of these ladder fuels prevents the fire from spreading into the trees, so it acts as an effective firebreak despite the trees being there to provide shade on hot days. This firebreak is known as a “shaded fire break”, where all of the ground fuels (grasses, brush, etc.) have been removed, but the larger trees are left in place. The Quail Run Trail will bring you back up out of the canyon to the top of the ridge and the wide firebreak.Īs you near the top of the ridge, turn right on to the Blue Oak Loop trail, crossing through the wide fire break at the top of the ridge (North Legacy Way). Continuing straight, across the Pond Turtle Trail, look for the junction on your left to the Quail Run Trail. At the junction, a short side trip to the right will take you to the creek and the Seven Pools.
It’s a good place to have a bite to eat and watch the turkey vultures circling the canyon on the thermals overhead.Ĭontinuing on the Seven Pools Vista Trail, descend through some shade growth to the intersection with the Seven Pools Loop trail. 4 miles of walking, you’ll arrive at a rocky viewpoint overlooking the Coon Creek Gorge. Cross over the fire road, picking up the Seven Pools Vista Trail on the other side. Follow this trail uphill through oak woodland, reaching a four-way intersection with the Turkey Ridge Trail, Seven Pools Vista Trail, and the fire-road topping the ridge. If you follow the use trail upstream for a few dozen yards, you’ll find the diversion point, a small concrete dam.Ĭrossing the bridge, turn right onto the trail marked Blue Oak Loop. You’ll actually see two watercourses: Deadman Creek, and the Whisky Diggins canal, a water diversion constructed back in the goldmine era to provide water for the gold digging operations. A couple of points here will allow you to go right down to the water, but be sure to watch our for poison oak.Ĭontinuing along the creek, the trail will intersect with South Legacy Way at a bridge over the creek. The trail will start descending, switchbacking into the canyon below through a mixture of pines, oaks and open spaces, and arriving after about a mile at Deadman Creek. Starting from the parking lot, where you’ll find restrooms and water, walk past the display board and onto the fire road (South Legacy Way), turning right almost immediately and down onto the Poppy Trail. Concrete path in center is wheelchair-accessible. Looking out over the parking area and main trailhead. You can shorten the hike at a number of points, creating a hike perfect for your abilities and time. (Astute readers may recall that this was the park I’ve done a couple of volunteer stints in over the past few months, building trail and installing signs.) This hike, which lies entirely within the original boundaries of the park, loops back and forth, covering about six miles and most of the trails within the area. I’ll go out there shortly, to explore it all. With its expansive trails, mixture of chaparral, oak, and pine woodland, Hidden Falls is a popular place with hikers, mountain bikers and anyone who enjoys a little peace and quiet.Īs of this weekend, Hidden Falls has expanded nearly five-fold, from 200 acres to about 1200, with miles and miles of new trail. Nestled in the Sierra Foothills near Auburn, California, Hidden Falls Regional park is one of the nicest examples of lowland foothill country you’ll find around.
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