Summary 
| Difficulty | 1-3 Beginner to intermediate |
| Length | Depends on route |
| Starting Elevation |
5150 feet (trail junction 1), 5300 feet (trail junction 7) or 5250 feet (trail junction 25) |
| Cumulative Elevation Change |
Depends on route |
| Navigation | Road, marked trail and map |
| Time | Short to full day |
| Season | Late December through March |
| Snowmobiles Use | Not permitted [Please report illegal use of snowmobiles in this area.] |
| USGS Topo | 7.5' series, Washington, Blue Canyon |
| Start | There are three standard start and end points: Omega Rest Stop (trail junction 1) on Highway 20, 17.0 miles east of the junction of highways 49 and 20 in Nevada City and 10.1 miles west of the junction of highways 80 and 20 (Yuba Gap). Trail junction 7 on Highway 20, 1.7 miles east of the Omega Rest Stop. Trail junction 25 on Highway 20, 2.9 miles east of the Omega Rest Stop. |
Description
The Steephollow Trail System offers an assemblage of interconnected, marked trails that almost entirely follow roads. The trail system, maintained by volunteers from the Nordic Skiers of Nevada County, offers an opportunity to ski many miles without significant elevation gain or difficulty.
Most of the marked trails are easy to follow roads. Courtesy of A. Clark.
This tour is not really a tour, but a description of the segments of the trail system that can be combined in an almost unlimited array of tours. Linking segments together can create tours as short as an hour or two, or as long as a full day. Two possible tours, the Steephollow Grand Traverse and the Steephollow Upper Loop are described separately in this guide.
This area is conveniently located on Highway 20 not far from Nevada City, but off the beaten path. Historically this area is important because it is the location of the Nevada City Road and Washington Ridge Emigrant Trail of 1850. There are wonderful views to the north, east and south at points along the trail system.
The only drawback to the Steephollow area is that it is located entirely between 5150 and 5800 feet elevation. This low elevation means that snow-cover can be iffy early and late in the season in anything but a good year. But snow permitting, this is a wonderful place to spend the day skiing. Locals rave about the area when it is hit by a very cold storm. Consider stopping here on your way to or from the Lake Tahoe area.
Mileage Log
Numbers in parentheses
correspond to mileage points on map
Two types of location points are referred to in this tour. "Trail junction" refers to a marked trail junction. These junctions are denoted by numbers in the range of 1 through 25 and the numbers are posted at the junctions. "Mileage point" refers to other points similar to those used throughout this guide. These points are denoted by numbers in the range of 30 through 39.
All trail segments are on roads unless otherwise stated.
Be aware that there are many roads and road junctions in the area that are not described in this tour. Refer to the tour description and the map to navigate at these points.
From: 1 to 3
Mileage: 0.1 mile
Elevation change: Nil
Part of this section is not on a road.
From: 3 to 5 (southern-most route)
Mileage: 0.8 mile
Elevation change: +100, -50 feet
This, the southern of the two routes between trail junctions 3 and 5, is part of the main trail between the Omega Rest Stop and trail junction 9, the hub for many trails in the area.
From: 3 to 5 (northern-most route)
Mileage: 1.1 miles
Elevation change: +150, -100 feet
This, the northern of the two routes between trail junctions 3 and 5, is located on the north side of a low ridge and is more wooded than the southern route between the same two points. Most of this segment is not on roads.
There are two "Y" intersections along this segment; at both take the southern-most (right) fork.
From: 5 to 9
Mileage: 1.2 miles
Elevation change: +250 feet
At mileage point 30, 1.0 mile east of trail junction 5 and 100 yards east of a small clearing on the north (left) side of the road, you can leave the road and ski 75 yards north (left) to mileage point 31 and an outstanding vista to the north. Most striking is Sierra Buttes peaking beyond a ridge but Grouse Ridge is also distinctive.
You may see blue diamonds to the south of the road starting at the small clearing described above and running east for about 0.2 mile where they intersect the road again. It is not clear why these markers were installed because the road is the best route.
A very short distance to the west of trail junction 9 is a marker on the north side of the road that marks the location of the Nevada City Road and Washington Ridge Emigrant Trail.
From: 7 to 9
Mileage: 0.3 mile
Elevation change: +100 feet
This is the easiest access route to trail junction 9, the hub for many of the Steephollow trails.
From: 9 to 11
Mileage: 50 yards
Elevation change: Nil
Trail junction 11 is located a very short distance to the east of trail junction 9 on the southern-most route to trail junction 13.
From: 9 to 13
Mileage: 0.3 mile
Elevation change: Nil
The northern-most route between trail junctions 9 and 13 is a nice change from the main road linking trail junctions 9, 11 and 13. This segment is not a road but is marked with blue diamonds.
From: 11 to 13
Mileage: 0.3 mile
Elevation change: Nil
This section is along the main road.
From: 11 to 21
Mileage: 0.6 mile
Elevation change: +50, -150 feet
Although most of this segment is a very well defined road, crossing Steephollow Creek is not easy and the section beyond the creek to trail junction 21 is not marked and is overgrown thus making this segment of intermediate difficulty. The use of this segment is not recommended because of these difficulties.
From: 13 to 15
Mileage: 0.6 mile
Elevation change: +50 feet
Trail junction 15 is not a road junction and is easily missed if you are not looking closely for the marker and trail number on a tree.
At mileage point 32, 0.3 mile east of trail junction 13 and 100 yards east of a small clearing on the north (left) side of the road, you can leave the road and ski 75 yards north (left) to mileage point 33 (you will need to descend a little) and an outstanding vista to the north. From here you can see Sierra Buttes peaking beyond a ridge and Grouse Ridge is also distinctive.
From: 13 to 23
Mileage: 0.2 mile
Elevation change: -100 feet
This short section descends to Steephollow Creek.
From: 15 to 17
Mileage: 0.9 mile
Elevation change: +250 feet
This segment follows the obvious road east and then northeast. There is a prominent road junction 0.5 mile east and northeast of trail junction 15 at mileage point 34. Take the fork to the northeast (straight), not the road to the north (left). At trail junction 17 the road ahead begins to descend gradually.
Trail junctions are marked with numbers. Courtesy of A. Clark.
From: 15 to 23
Mileage: 0.3 mile
Elevation change: -150 feet
Trail junction 15 is not a road junction and is easily missed if you are not looking closely for the marker and trail number on a tree. Although technically part of this segment is on a road, it is overgrown to the point where you will not recognize it.
This is the most difficult segment in the Steephollow Trail System. It must be rated 3 because of the difficulty in following the blue diamonds through dense woods. The use of this segment is not recommended because of these difficulties.
From: 17 to 35
Mileage: 0.1 mile
Elevation change: Nil
This segment is not on a road but is marked with blue diamonds. After a short distance the route follows a clearing east until it intersects another road at mileage point 35.
From: 19 to 21
Mileage: 0.6 mile
Elevation change: +50, -150 feet
Although technically trail junction 21 is a road junction, the side road is overgrown and the only way you will know you are there is by seeing the number on a tree. But just ahead the is Steephollow Creek and trail junction 23 though the junction is not obvious either.
From: 19 to 35
Mileage: 1.5 mile
Elevation change: +300 feet
You will have views to the southeast along this segment.
From: 19 to 38
Mileage: 0.6 mile
Elevation change: -150 feet
This segment descends along a ridge and ends at a tee intersection.
From: 21 to 23
Mileage: 75 yards
Elevation change: Nil
From: 25 to 38
Mileage: 0.4 mile
Elevation change: +50 feet
This segment parallels the highway and begins at one of the starting points.
From: 35 to 37
Mileage: 0.3 mile
Elevation change: +50, -50 feet
This segment leads to the best view point of the entire Steephollow Trail System. Be aware that the trail veers to the north (left) at mileage point 36. Here there is a blue diamond with an arrow on it, but you may miss it and continue straight if you are not looking carefully.
The trail to the overlook is marked and appears to follow an old logging skid road. Courtesy of A. Clark.
There is a bench at the overlook and the lake to the east is Lake Spaulding. Signal Peak is the mountain directly beyond the dam that creates the lake. To the north (left) of Signal Peak is the steeper Old Man Mountain. Also to the east, but not obvious, are Cisco Butte and Devils Peak.
Springtime view from overlook. You can see Signal Peak and Old Man Mountain. Courtesy of A. Clark.
Winter view from overlook. Signal Peak is at far left, Devils Peak is very small on the horizon about the 1/4 point from the right, and Cisco Butte is the dark blob to the left of Devils Peak. Courtesy of A. Clark.
From: 38 to 39
Mileage: 0.4 mile
Elevation change: -150 feet
This section parallels the highway.
