Stevens Trail hike
	Trip Date:  04/16/2014 Distance: 8.0 Miles Vertical Gain: 2100' Group Size: 7 Hike Rating:  Easy   Moderate    Hard    Strenuous	GPX for this trip
	The trail marker for the Stevens Trail right at the parking area.  Pretty well marked but should also warn of the extreme poison oak infestation.
	The first of a few waterfalls we passed along the way.  There is a use trail up on the left side about halfway to the top.
	The second waterfall had to be crossed right at the top of this picture.  If it were running much higher we would have had to go back down the trail a bit and take the bike path below it to get by.
	Most of the group paused for a quick break on the way down to the river.
	About halfway down the trail there is an old mine which bores deep into the mountainside.  The group was curious but the risk of caveins and steep drop-offs is too great.
	A look west at the North Fork of the American River and the bridge that connects Colfax to Iron Hill a ways to the south of the river.
	During the third mile the trail gets very thin and skirts along the edge of the hillside.  You need to watch your step in this section.
	Looking east at the wild river, where there were a couple of gold panners trying their luck far below.
	Along this part of the trail it was very steep, but the flowers were plentiful and in an amazing display of color.
	It is a long way down from the trail, and the slope is pretty steep.
	Once we made it down to the river at Secret Ravine, we had plenty of places to sit and enjoy lunch.
	Somewhere around here, Stevens, the namesake of the trail had a toll crossing for the miners heading into town to cash in their finds.  Sounds like a gold mine of his own.
	Our group at the river just after finishing lunch and getting ready to head on back up, up and up.
	The wildflowers make a very pleasant display along the trail, spreading down further and further every year with the blowing of seeds toward the river.
	Our timing was good as this would be a VERY warm hike in the summer, gaining back all that elevation we lost heading to the river.
	One last look at the trail carved into the side of the mountain.
	GPS Track of the full hike.