Comments: Don't consider riding this trail unless you are a explorer
type and like to bushwhack old trails. This is an old access to the Omega diggings
area…probably was an Indian trail at first and then became a miners access
road. {When I first started hiking this area this was still somewhat of road.
It's been logged twice and gotten overgrown since then.} This is the shortest
way to Omega Road and the mines. There are a lot of rocks, trees down, and brush
on this trail. It needs some cleanup! It is a one-way trail…downhill. The
top end is up at the Omega Rest Stop, and the bottom pops you out across from
the cemetery and the Omega Diggins. There is a lot of private property in the
area so be aware… I enjoy checking out the cemetery and exploring the Omega
mine area. The trail has a 800 foot drop in about 1.5 miles. Not real steep,
just a rather overgrown and logged, primitive trail.
Trail Access: The Trail Is 19 miles east of Nevada City
off Hwy 20. {Gold Country Map} Park
at the Rest Stop or Chalk Bluff Road. {I like to park at the Old Omega Road
but it's hard to find and a little rough getting in and out of.}
On The Trail: Starting at the Omega Rest Stop {Map}head
east past the bathrooms and the ski info sign and onto the frontage dirt road.
It's a very short distance to the first road crossing, take a left here. {There
are piles of gravel here, piled for road work and you will see gate posts without
a gate where the road starts.}There is a split in the road here keep to the
left and drop down. First the road is dirt, then some gravel, then after .1
mile a section of asphalt. 200 ft past where the asphalt ends and on the left
The single-track starts. Right past where the asphalt ends the road widens and
flattens out just a bit… Right past this on the left is a log along side
of the road. The trail starts behind the log.{Picture}
Once you get through the brush you can see the roadbed.
Well the first part is rocky, and then there are a lot of dogwoods, spider webs
{for the folks in front}, and fallen trees to cross. {You will be thinking at
this point…where is my chainsaw?}
After a bit you come on some downed trees, keep to the left here…downhill.
It's kind of a creek bed at this point and a lot of slash on the trail. You
come to a spot where you pass a old canal and the it flattens out a little.
Continuing through the flat you keep to the right next to a downed log and the
trail crosses a small dry creek gully. The trail follows the left edge of a
gully. The rest of the trail has been logged and you need to pick your way down
through it to get to Omega Rd. You will probably end up west of the cemetery
rd. when you pop out on Omega Rd. Check out the cemetery, it's a good place
to relax after all that bushwhacking. {Picture}
The entrance to the Omega Diggings is just past the cemetery on the left.
{ The ghost town and the Omega Diggins are private property though.} Well you
can continue to the spring for some water, that's to the left and about .7 miles.
{Picture} If you are real
adventurous {and in good shape} you can continue on to Eagle Bird Drop and Washington.
To loop back up to the Omega Rest Stop head west {left} on Omega
Road for approximately 2 miles. Look for a road on the left going up the hill
with a "dead end" and a not recommended with a slash across a car
sign. This is what I call the Old Omega Road. {It was the main Omega road 25
years ago.} This road is about 1.7 miles with a 600 ft elevation gain. You cross
over Sardine springs near the top…which is the beginnings of Scotchman's
Creek that runs between the Alfa And Omega Mines. There are great views of the
Omega Diggins and the Yuba Canyon too near the top. If you are parked at the
rest stop you will need to cross the road to where the road sign is and 60 ft
off the road you will cross the motorcycle trail. The Pioneer Trail is 60 foot
beyond this. {Both these trails follow the road to the rest stop, running next
to each other. I usually take the Pioneer back.} It's 1.5 miles to the Omega
rest Stop and you cross Chalk Bluff Road on the way. Look for a trail coming
in from the right that heads to the rest stop after 1.5 miles.
Well you can also consider dropping down to Washington on Alfa Road…it's
4.5 miles west on Omega Road. {A few miles past the Old Omega Road.} Right before
you get to the highway the Alfa Road is on the right. {Picture}
Well I hope you enjoy this primitive trail. It's part of the local history,
and if we don't use it we will lose it!
The Fish
| Trail Pictures 1 | Trail Pictures 2 |