Wash Creek Ridge Spur

Wash Creek Ridge Trail is in the Boise National Forest. It is 4 miles north of Placerville, Placerville was established in 1862 for gold, and silver mining, plus logging. Its peak population of 3,300 has dwindled to 50 as of the last census, so the town is little more than a ghost town. This trail ends near Mineral Mountain where there are still active mines, Mineral Hill Mine, Grand View Mine, and the Klondike, to name a few. Elk winter in Garden Valley to the north. The elk live in these mountains in large numbers the rest of the year. In early spring this trail is a prime hunting spot for their dropped antlers. Elk have predators besides man so stay alert for mountain lions, wolves, and bears.