Omega Scenic Overlook on Highway 20 to close through July 27

The Omega Scenic Overlook and trailhead parking along Highway 20 between Nevada City and Interstate 80 will be closed from July 9-27 while Caltrans crews remove the aging vault toilet, picnic table and shade structure. The vault toilet and infrastructure are being removed upon agreement between Caltrans and the US Forest Service, according to a Tahoe National Forest news release. With no electricity and running water, and due to other factors such as accessibility compliance, it is not cost effective for Caltrans to improve and/or transition the site to an official State Rest Area. Nor is it cost effective for the US Forest Service to maintain the site in its current state. After the removal, the US Forest Service will continue to maintain the parking area and short trail leading to the Omega Scenic Overlook, a supported platform where visitors can observe the massive South Yuba River drainage and beyond. Omega Diggings and nearby Alpha Diggings display remnants of historic hydrological mining that occurred throughout the region in the mid-1800s. The Sawyer Decision of 1883 ended the practice of hydrological mining and its harmful effects to watershed health and water quality. The parking area will be utilized by Caltrans, under special-use permit, as a vehicle turnaround/chain control staging area during the winter months.