Dragoon Gulch Trail Is Open

Sonora, Ca — A dedication ceremony was held this morning for phase one of the Dragoon Gulch Trail.

Phase one is located on 35 acres of oak woodland in northwest Sonora. Access to the trail is available from Woods Creek Rotary Park along N. Forest Service Rd., and a secondary access is off Alpine Ln.

Funding for the project came from a $500,000 state grant.

According to information from the city, the name Dragoon Gulch came from being a camping place for a group of dragoons, or cavalry soldiers of the United States Army, who stayed on the land and mined for gold in the ravine.

Desertion from the ranks became common following news of the discovery of gold, as miners were making more in one day than the average soldier received from a year of service.

The long term plan is for the trail to encompass 102 acres.

Written by BJ Hansen