About Pines to Mines
The Pines to Mines Alliance is a partnership between the Tahoe National Forest, Bear Yuba Land Trust, Truckee Trails Foundation, Truckee Donner Land Trust, Gold Country Trails Council, Bicyclists of Nevada County, and Nevada County. Together, they have been working to realize the dream of a long-distance trail connecting both ends of Nevada County with this stunning, adventuresome singletrack.
Pines to Mines Trail is an exciting opportunity for conservation and recreation in the northern Sierra. Nevada County has two large communities, Truckee and Nevada City/Grass Valley, which are on opposite sides of the Sierra Nevada. Trail-based recreation contributes significantly to both the lifestyles of the residents and the local economies.
The P2M Alliance is focused on completing a route open to non-motorized methods of travel and intended to be a rugged backcountry, multi-use, non-motorized trail in character and user experience. Users will include hikers, runners, mountain bikers, and horseback/pack riders. The existing trails which will be integrated into the route are both open and restricted to these uses. The new trail segments will be designed to handle such non-motorized uses with minimal maintenance requirements.
For years the team worked on securing a workable alignment. In 2021, the Truckee Trails Foundation secured $100,000 in funding from Nevada County in order to conduct the necessary resource studies under the National Environmental Policy Act. With an alignment now in place and resource studies complete, the team is gearing up to break ground on this epic trail in Summer 2025.
When completed, the trail will cover over 75 to 85 miles, utilizing the highly popular Trout Creek Canyon, Donner Lake Rim, Hole in the Ground, Spaulding Lake, and Pioneer Trails, among others. Approximately 22 miles of new construction will be required to link these trails into one cohesive whole encompassing the best the county has to offer in the way of sweeping valley vistas and the Sierra Crest, mature mixed conifer forest, historic towns and high quality recreation.
The opportunity to add such a grand attraction of stout challenges and jaw-dropping views to Nevada County’s inventory of attractions is overpowering. The extended trail length and significant elevation changes means that trail users will experience distinctly different terrain as part of the overall trail experience.
The Pines to Mines Trail will offer prime recreation opportunities, accommodating a wide range of user abilities for those seeking a rugged backcountry experience hiking, running, mountain biking, and horse-back riding. From easy day hikes to multiple day backpacking or bike-packing trips, there will be something for everyone, and everyone will experience tantalizing terrain, stunning vistas, and variable local vegetation and wildlife. With local restaurant and brewery options at either end of the trail, users will have an enjoyable (sometimes challenging) backcountry experience with all the right rewards.
This trail project will cost an estimated $2 million to construct in total, broken into eight unique sections of trail. Trail construction will begin in Spring/Summer 2025 and continue as we raise the funding needed by December 2025.
Please contact Danielle Williams, Director of Philanthropy, Truckee Donner Land Trust, with your interest. danielle@tdlandtrust.org or (530) 582-4711.
All funds raised by P2M Partners will be directed to Truckee Trails Foundation, the lead on P2M trail construction.
The project area lies within the Tahoe National Forest in Nevada County, along Highway 20 and north of Interstate Highway I-80. Districts: Yuba River Ranger District, Sierraville Ranger District, Truckee Ranger District