Noble's Emigrant Trail

ADA Accessibility Notes

Several parts of the trail can be seen from Hwy 44.

Noble founded this trail in 1851 when he was prospecting in the area with eight other men. This trail was a cutoff of the Humboldt Trail in Nevada. It crossed the Black Rock Desert and the Northern Sierra into what is now known as Susanville, California.

The Noble Emigrant Trail prospered in the mid 1850s since it was a shorter and more direct route to the Sacramento Valley, than the earlier established Lassen Emigrant Trail. The trail cut several days off the travel time from the Lassen Emigrant Trail, and therefore ended most of the travel on it.

Noble's new route was considered the best road through the Sierra Nevada. Travelers could find grass, water and wood the entire length. The greatest distance between watering places was 25 miles. Noble's Emigrant Trail became a main thoroughfare of settlers traveling over the Northern Sierra and established Susanville as a major town in the region. Visitors can take a step back in time and follow Noble's Emigrant Trail by car since present day roads parallel the trail. A map is located in the sidebar.

Driving Directions

The trail follows Hwy. 44 from Susanville, CA to Anderson, CA.

Eco-Friendly Notes

Always "Tread Lightly" when searching for emigrant trails. Respect private property, do not access without permission to do so.

Highlights and Key Points Along the Route

Along the way, be sure and take time to visit the historic Susanville Railroad Depotand McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park.