Adventure 008, Hike 028 - Marshall Monument

Capture California, the Game-2012

Adventure: 008, Hike 028 – Marshall Monument Trail

Team: Thing One, Thing Two

Date:  June 29, 2012

Location: James Marshall Gold Discovery State Park, Columa

Hike Info:

Trail: Marshall Monument Trail

Distance: 1.2

Duration: 40 minutes

Elevation Rise: 232'

Description:

When you walk the Levee Trail on the East side of the American River, you see this tall, slender white edifice rising from the woods and you wonder what is it. Then looking at a map, you say, oh cool, there is a trail to it. The trail starts close to the James Marshall Gold Discovery State Historical Park Visitor Center and then ascends sharply up a hill. It is will made, but with a good slope. You travel through oaks. Even crossing an old, but still in use, irrigation ditch. After the climb, you break out into a little park like area where there is a house which is a center for public outreach, some picnic benches and a water fountain under a grape arbor. The later was much appreciated since the way was getting warmer and we did not bring water with us. For those who feel inclined, there is a road to this place as well.



A short distance up a small mound is a large flat space. Rising up from this space is the James Marshall Memorial. In 1885 when Marshall died, he died very inconspicuously. In 1890, the people of Placerville felt the person who Discovered Gold should be honored. They with the State of California raised $9,000 for this monument honoring Marshall. He was interned there.



The trail back is the same as what we did coming up.