Historic Selkirk Trail Overview

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In the 1990s, Developers Barden Stevenot, and Karen and Jim Watson envisioned building a residential golfing community in Angels Camp that, among other objectives, embraced, preserved, and protected its Native American, Settler and Miner heritage, consistent with the permitting process. 

Bryce Hoffman, in his article titled “A Subdivision Done Right” in the December 1995 Calaveras Ledger Dispatch stated “. . .Greenhorn Creek seems to represent an attempt to define a new type of community, one which exists as a extension of the larger community around it.”

Bardon, supported by archeologist Julia Costello, historian Judith Marvin, and tribal cultural resource specialist, Debra Grimes, among others, created the educational and beautiful one-and-a-half-mile round trip Historical Selkirk Trail which winds through this tranquil, pastoral setting. Along the pathway, as it follows the creek, interpretive signs highlighted the three-part heritage of the community.

Due to ongoing funding constraints in the past twenty years, this gem of Calaveras history fell into a state of disrepair.

With the rejuvenation of the common community funding by the owners in 2022, spearheaded by its fiduciary, the City of Angels, to protect their heritage and beautify their community, the Owners LLD Committee undertook the restoration of this Historical Selkirk Trail with the support of the City, Greenhorn Creek Resort management, and the original advisors to Mr. Stevenot.

The Calaveras Historical Society sponsored a gracious grant provided by the Calaveras Community Foundation to assist the LLD Committee in these efforts and offload some costs from the community.

The restoration work is now complete. This has been cost-efficiently performed by the work of volunteer homeowners in Greenhorn Creek with knowledgeable contractor support.

On Tuesday, April 9, 2024, the Owners LLD Committee held an opening ribbon cutting and initial trail walk for the contributors to the restoration project, followed by an acknowledgement ceremony at Camps in the Greenhorn Creek Resort, with celebratory toast hosted by GHC Management.

As the project leader, owner Steve Archer said at the ceremony, “It is important to educate, remember, and protect our heritage for it is the foundation on which our Community was built and thrives today.”

Congratulations to the Greenhorn Creek Community and its sponsors for re-creating a beautiful and informative walk in the woods on the Historical Selkirk Trail.