Simpson Ranch Trails Update

We’ve had many questions over the past year regarding the trail closures at the Simpson Ranch.
We've been talking with the new owners of the Simpson Ranch Trails, who have indicated Spring 2024 as a possible date for re-opening the trails.

What is the Simpson Ranch?

The Simpsons settled the foothills in the late 1800s, owning much of present-day Meadow Vista. Most of their historic holdings have been subdivided and sold; the several large parcels on the outskirts of Meadow Vista as you head north on Placer Hills Road towards Weimar are the remains of their homestead. Colloquially, many locals still call this area the “Simpson Ranch”.

Where are the Simpson Ranch trails?

The trails are accessible from the Foothill Roots Farm parking lot, a trailhead near Crother Road, from Walgra Meadows, and from Hillsdale Road. They form an integral part of the trails in Meadow Vista, connecting several of our longer trails and forming many important loops.

Who currently owns the trails?

Several years ago the United Auburn Indian Community (UAIC) bought the three large parcels (APNs 073-010-073-000, 073-010-071-000, and 073-201-072-000) containing Foothill Roots Farm and the aforementioned trails. In late 2022 they closed access to the trails.
Members of the Open Trails Community Alliance (OTCA) and the Meadow Vista Trails Association (MVTA) have had sporadic contact with the UAIC’s spokespeople. We were very thankful that representatives of the UAIC agreed to attend a Meadow Vista Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) meeting in August, where they detailed their plans for the Simpson Ranch.
Much of the information in this post is relayed from that meeting; we do not speak on behalf of the UAIC.

Why have the trails been closed?

The UAIC is conducting clearing, tree work, and cultural burning (prescribed burning) across their properties. For public safety and liability reasons they don’t want trail users in the area while they conduct these activities.

What is the schedule for re-opening the trails?

The UAIC has indicated that the trails will be accessible in Spring of 2024, although this date seems contingent on their ability to finish necessary work and may be a moving target.

What are the UAIC's plans for the land?

They spoke about conducting ceremonial activities on the land and perhaps using it as an educational center. Based on their statements at the August MAC meeting, they don’t see these uses as conflicting with the trails and have indicated their desire to reopen the trails.

We’re excited to see the UAIC restore Nisenan knowledge to this landscape, making our community more fire safe and hopefully opening up opportunities for learning about their culture and the foothill ecosystem.

What are the OTCA and MVTA doing?

At this point we’re trying to maintain better communication between the Meadow Vista community and the UAIC.

Our concern is that the prolonged trail closures and a lack of information will lead to conflict. Local community members have been frustrated by the closures, while the UAIC has been upset by people circumnavigating their fences and continuing to use the trails.

We’re trying to learn the following information from the UAIC:

1. What’s your updated roadmap for finishing work and reopening the trails?
2. Would it be possible to reopen select trails or reopen trails during times when dangerous work isn’t being conducted?

We’ve offered our assistance to the UAIC in disseminating information to the community. We’ve also offered to provide volunteer labor to continue maintaining the trails and help with land clearing, cultural burning, or other initiatives that the UAIC may want to undertake.

What can I do?

First and foremost, please respect the UAIC’s fencing and refrain from using the trails until they are re-opened. Confrontation with the UAIC or its contractors, vandalism, and other rash actions will only damage our ability to build a relationship with the UAIC.
Please respect the existing trail closures!
If you’re not already a member of the MVTA, now is a great time to join. The MVTA helps maintain local trails and work with landowners; read more about the MVTA here.

If you’re interested in other trail access issues, consider giving money to the OTCA. The OTCA focuses on obtaining permanent easements to preserve and create public trails; read more about the OTCA here.

Looking to the future

W’re sad that these trails are temporarily closed, but we’re hopeful for a long-term positive relationship with the UAIC. We’re very thankful for the work the UAIC is doing to make our community more fire safe and are excited to see how they restore these beautiful historic lands to an ecologically vibrant representation of the local Nisenan cultural tradition.
If you want to support the future of Meadow Vista's trails, donate now!