miners ravine trail loop

A great area to walk, run and ride a bike away from the busy streets. You can see salmon in the creek, turkeys and other wild life. Be careful of bikers who are not courteous but overall very enjoyable and safe.

This trail has great hills for running, not very shady in some spots but it is cool out now. I recommend not parking in the gravel lots at the various entrances since thieves sit in their cars and wait for you to leave before they break windows and loot the cars.

We live in a nearby development. So we have the option of driving to one of the parking areas to access the trail, or taking a dirt path directly from our development. When we drive, we observe the usual cautions about parking in those kinds of areas. That said, we've not had a problem (although I have seen some broken car-window glass on the gravel, so ... ).We are walkers. We have learned to observe the walkers/riders rules of the trail (walkers on the left, bikers on the right). Most bike riders on the trail are very courteous, although there have been a few exceptions, so be aware of that.Signage is quite good, given that there are side trails here and there. Go out and enjoy this great municipal resource!

Miners Ravine in Roseville is a wonderful multi-use trail that meanders through oak trees along a lovely creek. In the Spring time the wild flowers are beautiful. You can bike, run or walk, no motorized vehciles are allowed. Options for trail heads are available on the city website. A few words of caution, never leave anything valuable in your car. And walk on the left side of the trail, proper multi-use trail ettiquette. Once on the trail you will enter a lovely world of nature hidden away from the hustle of suburban life. I have always felt safe on the trail.

The City of Roseville has over 30 miles of paved dual use trails. A complete pdf map of bike and walking trails can be found on the City’s website. My favorite trail is Miner’s Ravine (Six to eight miles in length). The ravine got its name from gold mining activities during the Gold Rush. Bring your binoculars and camera. Some 200 species of birds and 50 species of mammals species live or migrate through the watershed. There is also the fall chinook salmon run. Thousands of years old, be sure to stop view the Maidu Indian bedrock mortars. .

The City of Roseville has over 30 miles of paved dual use (biking and walking) trails. A complete pdf map of bike and walking trails can be found on the city’s website. My favorite is the Miner’s Ravine Trail. The parking lot is only minutes off I-80 (Between Secret Ravine Pkwy and Olympus Drive). Begin your hike by stopping at one of two informational signs telling about the flora and fauna of Miners Ravine. The creek got its name from gold mining activities just after the 1849 Gold Rush. In the 1930’s dredges were used to sift through the stream bed. Be sure to bring your binoculars and camera. About a-third-of-a-mile into your journey, stop and read the sign about the valley elderberry and the endangered long horn beetle. As you pass under the first bridge, notice the swallows darting in and out of their nests. Some 200 species of birds live or migrate through the watershed. Other noteworthy fauna include otters, beavers, deer, fox and coyotes (partial list!). Continuing 2.3 miles, stop and view the Maidu Indian bed rock mortars. The Maidu Indians had inhabited the valley floor for over 4,000 years. Just past the mortar exhibit (about 1/4 miles) on your right, you will pass a wide gravel path. (If you see the “United Artist Trail Head” sign you went too far!). Follow the gravel path a few hundred feet until you reach the stream bed (Secret Ravine Creek). By the bank of the stream, study the monument explaining the life cycle of the chinook salmon. If you are visiting in late November or early December, just after the first major rain storm, you can view the chinook salmon migration from this vantage point. (More information on the salmon migration and special events can be found on the Dry Creek Conservancy website or on their Facebook page). Three-quarters of a mile further, you will see a sign to the “Sculpture Monument”. Take the short trail up and view the huge monolith steel structure and vista. The bike trail loops under Harding Avenue then proceeds over a foot bridge. Need a potty break or traveling with young children? There is a community park (William Taylor) just off to the right. The trail comes to an end at Folsom Rd and Linda Dr. Turn right on Folsom Rd. to enjoy downtown Roseville (lunch?). Stay on Folsom Rd, crossing Vernon Street stopping at the train tracks. Take a moment to inspect the Union Pacific Freight yard as it is the largest freight yard on the West Coast. Before retracing your steps back to your car, a must stop is Railroad Hobbies (119 Vernon Street. 916-782-6067). If adventurous, you can take the bike path on Washington Street which passes under the rail yard allowing you to explore Old Town. Stop and visit the Carnegie Library which is now Roseville’s historical museum (557 Lincoln Street. Phone 916-773-3003).