Get Outside

With so much holiday fun, maybe now is the time to take a moment and head outside.  Nevada City & Grass Valley have a lots of options for outdoor activities (and even a few indoor activities).  While you can hike, bike and explore in Nevada City, if you’re looking to head up the hill and play in the snow, don’t forget about all the amazing winter adventures within an hour of Nevada City.  One of our favorite recommendations from the Outside Inn is to head down to the Deer Creek Tribute Trail (pictured above), the suspension bridge gives you an element of adventure, but with the trail so close to town you don’t have to drive to get to the trailhead.  Several of favorite recommendations include Hirschman Pond, hiking along the South Yuba Trail, Buttermilk Bend, the extensive network of trails at Empire Mine State Park.  If the New Year is inspiring you to do a 5K or half marathon, think about joining the Trkac running group for some added support.

With the recent rains you may think that cycling season is over, but remember, there are cycling adventures year round.  A popular choice is the Hoot Trail off the Pioneer Trail on Highway 20 for all ages.  For more information on local trails or your chance to get involved with BONC (Bicyclists of Nevada County) and join a trail building day.  Otherwise you can check out the You Bet Bicycle Sales & Service group rides or start your training for the YBONC California Dirt MTB Series in the late spring.

On a rainy day if you’re looking to get a little extra energy out think about checking out the Gold Crush indoor rock climbing (my favorite suggestion is the Ladies Night, first Monday of the month). Or take a yoga class, Nevada County has lots of local options (Wild Mountain Yoga, Inner Path, Golden Mandala, Kinfolk Yoga or check out The Yoga Dive’s brand new studio in Grass Valley).  Or maybe you want to swim laps at the South Yuba Club, take a Jazzercise glass, Brazilian Dance Class, Fusion Dance Fitness class, try pilates or aerial yoga.  With so many options to get moving, what’s your favorite option?

The monthly meet up with the Folk Trails Hiking Club is kicking off the New Year with a winter hike along Deer Creek Tribute Trail on Thursday, January 9th, meet at the Outside Inn at 3pm.  Over the last three years our monthly meet up has welcomed over 1000 hikers for urban hikes with local history, if you would like to join us this year the 2020 dates are up on our website.  Jesse Locks will lead the free meet ups on a variety of different topics covering local history, flora & fauna, architecture and more.

Other opportunities to connect with folks and learn while enjoying the outdoors include Bear Yuba Land Trust Treks, Hiking For Good, Discover Malakoff at Malakoff Diggins.  My other personal favorite is the self guided walking tour of downtown Nevada City.  What’s your favorite?  Any must dos I’ve forgotten to mention?