Community and Tuleyome Build New Stile on Road 53
Nate Lillge • November 10, 2021
Road 53 is a county road, open to hikers leading into the hills west of Guinda. It starts as a gentle walk through open grazing with longhorn cattle often on the road (please use caution around these large animals), after crossing a bridge, the trail starts to climb and gets quite steep. After about 3 miles, hikers can see Pierce Canyon falls on the opposite side. This hike is best done in the spring with wildflowers all around and water in the stream. Because the land on either side of the road is private, please be sure to stay on the road when hiking.
The start of this trail is a gate across the road, a mile west of CA-16 in Guinda. To help secure the cattle while still allowing the public to hike this road, Tuleyome worked with the Yolo County and landowners to build a stile (steps) over the fence. This allows the gate to remain closed to keep the cattle secure and provides an easy way to get over the gate.
In 2020, the LNU Complex Fire burned the stile. Tuleyome again worked with the County and landowners, and Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation and this time with the local community to rebuild the stile. Tuleyome handled the administrative approvals, logistics, and the building of the footings while the community held a fundraiser for materials and built it identical to the original stile.
A heart-felt THANK YOU to Jesse Capitanio, the parents and kids of the Capay Campers, and Cal Fire Station 37 in Brooks for your help and hard work! Your determination has “re-opened” this great trail! Check out the pictures from the rebuilding efforts on our Flickr page.
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