PESPA

Plumas Eureka State Park Association

Winter Activities 2015-2016

Winter is a beautiful and incredible time of year to visit Plumas Eureka StatePark. Cross country skiers and snowshoers are invited to use the variety of trails within the approximately 12 kilometer (8 mile) groomed trail system. The trail system passes through part of California’s history, one that is alive and full of adventure.

In fact, this area was the birthplace of winter sports in North America! (see history below). Today, with two trailheads and 8 separate trails, winter enthusiasts will find different terrain to suit their abilities. The professionally groomed trail system includes set track and skating lanes, as well as separate snowshoe trails. Picnic tables are located at each trailhead and along the trails. A porta-potty is located at the Jamison Trailhead. The trail system is managed entirely by PESPA volunteers and the use of the trails and its maintenance is accomplished solely through donations (a donation slot is located on the Museum door ($5.00/day requested or $20.00 per person for the season). Trail maps are available at each trailhead.

The Museum Trailhead, with ample plowed parking, accesses the main Plumas-Eureka trail, a 2.7 km beginner trail with great views of the surrounding peaks. This trail takes folks into the myriad of the park’s trails. Immediately off of this trail is a new beginner loop, called Bear Scat Flat.

From the Jamison Trailhead, also with plenty of plowed parking, the 2.2 km beginner trail accesses the Camp Lisa trail (intermediate) or the new Harpers trail (beginner). From there, or from the Museum Trailhead, the Upper Campground trail or Lower Campground Loop are located at the midway junction of the trail system. At Camp Lisa, there is a short out and back trail that overlooks Jamison Creek and Eureka Peak, with an incredible view!

There are separate snowshoe designated trails, which are snowmobile groomed. These meander through the majestic woods, following the course of the groomed cross country ski trail system. (Note: Snowshoers, please stay off of the groomed ski tracks and use the snowshoe trail whenever possible... and when the trails merge and are identical, please snowshoe to the opposite side of the groomed track. Please avoid snowshoeing down the middle of the groomed trail...it makes it very difficult to groom/remove deep snowshoe imprints).

Whether it’s with “Longboards”, snowshoes or skis, along with the deep blue skies, sparkling snow, and beautiful views of Eureka Peak and Mt. Washington, these trails are waiting to be enjoyed!


NEW for 2015-2016:

THREE NEW TRAILS!

The first is near the Museum Trailhead.

The second is located off of the Jamison trail.

The third, is the Dog Trail, a separate trail, located directly across from the Jamison Trailhead (Please, no walking on this trail and pick up after your pets).

Also, we have a grooming roller to use behind our Skidoo Skandic snowmobile when deeper snow conditions exist, along with our existing Yellowstone track setter.

HISTORY: In 1851, what we now call Plumas-Eureka, gold was discovered. In the winter mining operations slowed, and the miners found themselves with free time on their hands. It was in this area that competitive downhill ski races were held, possibly for the first time in North America. Racers started above Eureka Lake, and traveled the 1,700-foot run with speeds up to (and sometimes more than!) 80 miles per hour. They moved on what they called "long boards" or "snowshoes". Today, we call them skis. These "long boards" measured up to twelve feet in length, and often weighed as much as 20 pounds. They also had one long, large ski pole which was carried between the legs, and served as a brake (although they did little braking!). Prize money for the winners ran as high as $250.00, a considerable amount in those days. The famous “Snowshoe Thompson” raced here, too. Today, the Plumas Ski Club continues the tradition with the annual "Historic Longboard Revival Race Series". Check out the Ski Club's website, plumasskiclub.org for a schedule of events.

NOTE: We try to groom the trails after each snowfall and weekly to freshen up the trails. (Please check out the Grooming Report at the top of this page). No walking is allowed on any of the trails.

Dogs are not allowed on the main trails, but a separate dog trail is groomed and accessible across from the Jamison Trailhead (a beginner, an approx. one mile out and back trail).