TRAILS - INDEPENDENCE TRAIL

The Independence Trail runs 3 miles along the Wild and Scenic Yuba River in the South Yuba River State Park. The trail was the first wheelchair accessible wilderness trail in America, and is a shady, level trail appropriate for all ages and offers views of the river canyon, waterfalls and spur trails down to the river itself which offers sandy beaches and pristine swimming holes. Work began in 1979 by John Olmsted and former wife Sally Cates along with their organization Sequoya Challenge. The trail follows the alignment of the historic Excelsior Canal, built in 1859, during the Gold Rush to distribute water to hydraulic gold mining operations. The trail runs along the aquaduct and still uses some historic, restored wooden flumes that bridge steep ravines.