Take a Hike to Stevens Trail
Located In: Colfax.
Distance: 7.7 miles out-and-back.
Difficulty Level: Moderate.
Stevens Trail; Zev Minow, @zevtara_photography
Know Before You Go: This is a long trail with little shade, so bring plenty of water. Expect rocky and wet conditions with a super steep finish; not recommended for kids. Make sure you don’t leave valuables in the car, as there have been some reports of break-ins.
Dine n Dash Pub & Grill photo by Lizzie Stephens, @misslizzieizzie
Fuel Up: Enjoy classic American comfort food (think burgers, scrambles, melts, and more), hot coffee, cocktails, mimosas, or all of the above at Dine n Dash Pub & Grill (dinendashpubandgrill.com). With an inviting ambiance, superb service, and hearty grub, you’ll be ready for a day of adventure.
Why We Love It: This trail has beautiful views, waterfalls, and a rich history. Long with a strenuous finish, it’s a perfect spring hike and will help prepare you for longer summer treks.
Trail Notes: Bring shoes with traction. Dog-friendly, but they must be leashed.
Practice Leave No Trace ethics and enjoy the views!
Steves Trail; photo by Chrystie Raggio
BEST PRACTICES: BEFORE & AFTER
What you do both before and after your hike is the difference between a positive experience versus asking yourself, “Why did I think this would be fun?”.Here are a few considerations:
Before your hike
Nourish your body. Good nutrition is key; proper hydration is paramount. Hydrate early and often.Choose the right clothing. Bring enough layers, plan for weather, and choose the right shoes.
Let someone know where you’re going. Being lost on a trail is never fun; being lost, cold, hungry, and scared because no one knows where you are is even worse.
After your hike
Stretch. Do some light yoga or some simple stretches to help you recover and improve mobility.Eat right. Eat protein soon after your hike to help rebuild muscles and speed up recovery.
Learn from your experience. Things don’t always go according to plan; see where you can improve for next time.
For more information, visit alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/california/stevens-trail.
Do you have a favorite trail in the region you’d like to see featured? Tell us all about it at [email protected].
Stevens Trail; Photo by Shannon Bedore, @shannonoutside
Stevens Trail; Photo by Chrystie Raggio
by RYAN MARTINEZ
Main photo by Alexa Occhipinti; Photos top to bottom: Zev Minow, @zevtara_photography; Chrystie Raggio; Shannon Bedore,
@shannonoutside; Chrystie Raggio; Dine n Dash Pub & Grill photo by Lizzie Stephens, @misslizzieizzie
@shannonoutside; Chrystie Raggio; Dine n Dash Pub & Grill photo by Lizzie Stephens, @misslizzieizzie