New Acorn Grotto Trail Opens on Mt. Hough

MT. HOUGH — Last week, the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship (SBTS) announced the completion of the 3.6-mile Acorn Grotto trail, a key segment of the new Indian Falls Ridge route on Mt. Hough. When fully opened, the route will provide a 17-mile descent from the summit of Mt. Hough at 7,200 feet, forming part of the broader Mt. Hough Phase 2 project scheduled for completion later this year. The Acorn Grotto trail descends 1,100 feet and, like other SBTS-built trails in the region, accommodates all trail uses, including hiking, motorcycling, e-bikes, and mountain biking.

The Mt. Hough Phase 2 project represents the final phase of an extensive effort to establish over 80 miles of multi-use singletrack trails around Mt. Hough. For the past decade, SBTS has partnered with the Plumas National Forest to develop the trail system, relying on grants, private donations, and hundreds of volunteer hours. The SBTS Pro Trail Crew is currently finalizing the last section, which will complete the full Indian Falls Ridge route from the summit to Oakland Camp.

SBTS operates Yuba Expeditions in Quincy, offering a shuttle service to Mt. Hough. A 40-minute ride from Quincy transports mountain bikers and other trail users to the starting point of the new trails. Early-season shuttles are available, with schedules listed at yubaexpeditions.com, though high-elevation snow currently restricts access to the summit.

Beyond Mt. Hough, SBTS maintains the renowned trails above Downieville. The organization’s “Connected Communities Vision” aims to link 15 mountain towns through trail networks, including Downieville, Loyalton, Reno, Truckee, Graeagle, Quincy, Greenville, Chester, and Susanville. The project enjoys support from numerous partners, such as the region’s three national forests, the boards of four counties, and several local state legislators.