The Orene Weatherall Trail is a 1.3 mile loop path through the Woodpecker Wilderness Preserve in the forests on the slope of Banner Mountain outside of Nevada City.
With trails and signage maintained by the Bear Yuba Land Trust, this trail descends on several switchbacks beneath impressively tall stands of oak trees. With air punctuated by bird songs, the trails are popular, but still remote enough that you'll likely enjoy the feeling of solitude weaving throughout the forest.
While the Orene Weatherall Trail itself is a short loop, there is no direct parking for trail access. Instead, access to this loop is via the longer Cascade Canal Trail, which will add just under a mile of hiking in each direction in order to reach the spur to the Orene Weatherall path. The Cascade Canal Trail parallels a small active water canal running along the hillside slope, and while this access trail is mostly flat, the flowing water will offer a cool feeling during hot days.
Upon reaching the signed Orene Weatherall path, interpretive signs occasionally line the trail that descends down the slope, soon coming to a bench overlooking a small clearing with a fork in the trail. Generally hikers flow in a clockwise direction. The path traces forest groves and ridges, descending a little further before it begins looping back up again.
Wild flowers line the path seasonally, and the trail traces small glens and ridges through the wooded area, so it's unlikely you'll feel the presence of other nearby hikers.
Upon completing the trail, hikers can trace their route back to the parking area along the Cascade Canal Trail or proceed further along the flat path.
There are no bathrooms or water in the parking area. Mosquitoes may be thick in the groves as well.
Trails and parking are open during daylight hours.
More information on the Bear Yuba Land Trust's trails and work in the area can be found here.
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