Dev, One More Guy, best look for that thread Neo Geo referred to as I think directions were discussed in it. Its basically go east on the 210 FWY to the 30 FWY, then HWY 18 ( I think ) up into the mountains towards crestline, then drive through the community of Grass Valley till you hit HWY 173, and on from there down to the Kinely Creek bridge close to the pavements end where there is a gate blocking you from going further. At that concrte bridge the trail starts heading northerly following the east side of Kinely Creek. If I lived down towards LA I'd go that way unless snow was to thick in the mountains. But then also some folks would rather hike less distance so they still like to use the Bowen Ranch route. Good luck :-)