Malakoff Diggins State Park

We are back in gold country to visit Kerri’s parents for a week before heading over the Sierra’s. In our last visit here we did not get out all that much. What little exploring I did (I say I as Kerri has been everywhere in this area) consisted of the two state parks; Empire Mine and a tiny portion of the South Yuba River State Park. Unfortunately, we did not make it up to Malakiff Diggins State Park up the road at that time, but that has now been resolved. As a bonus, Kerri’s parents joined us for a portion of the outing.

On our way we would cross the Hoyt’s Crossing bridge on Highway 49. Here the Hoyt Trail leads off to swimming holes regularly visited by the nude sunbathing crowds. After my last adventure in nude sunbathing, and the company I was keeping at the time, I did not join them. Instead, we watched the river kayakers make their way down the South Yuba River and too the opportunity to snap a few photos.

We entered and parked at Malakoff Diggins State Park we pulled into the old ghost town of Humbug (also known as North Bloomfield) to pay the day use fee at the Ranger’s office. Here we toured the town, peaking in the windows of the old buildings and their museum like settings. Kerri and I day dreamed to how fun it would be to live in a old town like this, true to it’s old ways. She would operate the local tavern, of course.

The day dreaming came to an end and we set off for a short hike to an overlook of the diggings with the parents. While it is a beautiful view today, the man-made disaster that was caused by the hydraulic mining simply was not worth it if you ask me. Even if the mine had made a huge profit – which it did not in it’s 30 years of operation – it would never equal the damages to the land, and the people below the mine, in my eyes. Although it is a shame, it is a part of our history and I am thankful that the local schools bring busloads of kids up here to admit to that mistake. Thankfully this type of mining is no longer allowed.

A mile or so down the trail Kerri and I parted way with the parents in search of what would become the most elusive waterfall in America. The trailhead sign said it was only 1.25 miles down the path, but after easily hiking that distance we never saw any waterfall. Eventually, we turned back in search of it and only after another three-quarters of a mile did we run into another couple on the trail to ask. “Oh yea, it is about a half-mile back that way” they replied. So, we passed it twice! It must be the smallest waterfall in America too.

We gave up and returned to the truck to start back home…