The Trail Experience - What to Expect
To connect Truckee and Nevada City, the Pines to Mines Trail will link nine trails into one continuous, long-distance track—offering an unparalleled journey through Nevada County’s diverse landscapes.
• Trout Creek Canyon (1.75 miles)
A project of the Town of Truckee, this paved path links Northwoods Boulevard to Bridge Street in downtown Truckee. Plans for a parallel dirt trail are under consideration to enhance the singletrack experience.
• Donner Lake Rim Trail (12.2 miles)
This Truckee Donner Land Trust trail features sweeping views of Donner Lake, Mount Rose, and the Pacific Crest. Pines to Mines will follow the northern portion from Northwoods Blvd. to Castle Valley Rd.
• Hole in the Ground (7.5 miles)
A classic high-country route that crosses the Sierra Crest, Hole in the Ground is a beloved destination. A 7.5-mile stretch will become an integral part of the Pines to Mines connection.
• Missing Link (22 MILES) FIND OUT MORE HERE
Currently under construction and yet to be officially named, this key corridor will connect Hole in the Ground with the Spaulding Lake Trail, threading through remote, rugged subalpine landscapes. It is the critical piece that ties the eastern and western trails together.
• Grouse Ridge Trail (1 mile)
This short but essential connector continues from the Missing Link, crossing the Fordyce Creek pedestrian bridge and joining with the Spaulding Lake Trail.
• Spaulding Lake Trail (5 Miles)
This section meanders along Fordyce Creek, offering dramatic waterfalls and sweeping granite expanses interwoven with black oak forest and towering conifers. Rich with wildlife and seasonal color.
• Pioneer Trail from Spaulding Lake to Five Mile House (25 miles)
From Spaulding Lake, sitting majestically in its glacier-carved bowl of granite, the trail switchbacks down to meet the South Yuba River near the Emerald Pools. It proceeds across Bear Valley and the Bear River before climbing to negotiate the Lowell Hill, Burlington and Washington Ridges under towering pines.
• Five Mile House to Rood Center (5 miles)
The final section descends gently into Nevada City via bucolic Willow Valley Road. Plans to connect via Sugarloaf Mountain Trail are in the works.
