Mokelumne Coast to Crest Trail

Activities: Efforts are continuing to identify alternative potential routes for the Lower Mokelumne Canyon segment of the Coast to Crest Trail.  While the Board of Supervisors of Calaveras County has passed a resolution supporting the concept of the MCCT and the trail is mentioned by name in the county’s general plan, the trail corridor is not yet defined.  Because no trail corridor is defined in the general plan, the trail presently can not receive consideration when land zoning or development proposals are reviewed.  Calaveras County is now preparing to update its general plan and community groups within the county are forming to devise community plans to augment the general plan. At least a tentative trail alignment and a listing of its public benefits needs to be developed to favorably affect the county’s planning processes. 

We continue to network with the Calaveras Support Collaborative and with community planning committees and other organizations to identify projects which would yield direct or indirect support for development of this segment of the MCCT.  Comments supporting National Wild & Scenic River designation for that portion of the Mokelumne River between Salt Springs and Tiger Creek reservoirs were presented to the Amador County Board of Supervisors July 11, 2006 in Jackson. 

The MCCT’s Lower Mokelumne Canyon Segment will pass through the Pacific Forest and Watershed Stewardship Council’s Upper Mokelumne River Watershed Unit.  The Land Conservation Program of the Stewardship Council is in the process of identifying present and potential beneficial uses within the planning unit. We have provided information regarding our trail planning to Stewardship Council staff and consultants and are pleased to see a conceptual route for a trail, representing the MCCT, on one of their maps.  Council staff has requested that we keep them informed of on our planning efforts. The same planning map identifies “historic Standard Canal trail” on the Amador County side of the river and the old Calaveras Public Utility Ditch on the Calaveras side of the river for restoration.  It would be useful to investigate the possibilities for building trail bridges across the Mokelumne River at PG&E watershed properties to be funded by Stewardship Council grants.  If feasible, such bridges could link Amador and Calaveras trails and open new MCCT alignment possibilities.  Volunteers are needed to assist with these time sensitive opportunities.