Route Editor
Route Scout
Road to No Where? by imike The one nice benefit from all that clear cut logging here in the Sacramento Mountains back 100 years ago: the left over road beds!? The trees have for the most part regrown. I'm told the meadows are smaller now as a result of all the logging? A number of the old railway beds and logging roads have been claimed and developed as formal trails... but the true gems are the abandoned tracks, often reclaimed and overgrown... wherein only the hiker or adventurous mountain biker can venture. This 6th Gate track is one of the best of those. It winds deeply into a section of the forest, along the sides of a winding ridge. You are neither near the bottom of the canyon nor near the top of the ridge. The route is often overgrown; you get to enjoy lots of nice shade. There are some uncleared deadfalls, but not too many. There should be no ATV's! You cannot fully rely on that to be the case, but your chances are fairly good. You get the feeling that the road is leading you somewhere... it is just too nice and too long not to connect... and, if you glance at most of the topo maps, they do show the road doing just that... big loop down and into Wills Canyon. The map shows the road winding around and down to connect to Wills Canyon along an old trail route 5008B (July Canyon). In fact the roadbed deadends up in the middle of the canyon. It is easy to drop off of the graded shelf to the canyon bottom to make your way on out... or, head up one of the drainage cuts leading up and away from the road. The one at the end of the roadway will lead you right to the top, connecting with Willie White Trail, Willie White Canyon, and Old Logging Road 6411. The drainage before the end (the old 5008B route) connects with 6411 a bit sooner. All are great connecting loop options. You can not go wrong wandering around in this area. Because of the lack of motorized travel, your chances for spotting wildlife are greatly enhanced in this area! Fun Stuff!! One-Way Notice This hike is listed as One-Way. When hiking several trails on a single "hike", log it with a generic name that describes the hike. Then link the trails traveled, check out the example. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.
