Gin Lin Trail
To reach the Gin Lin Trail, take Highway 238 to Ruch. At Ruch take a left turn onto the Upper Applegate Road. Drive past the Star Ranger Station (if they are open they may have brochures on the Mining Trail) and continue past the McKee Bridge site. Continue about 0.2 miles beyond the turnoff to McKee Bridge. Just before the Upper Applegate Road crosses the Applegate River, turn right onto Palmer Creek Road. Drive approximately .9 miles for a right turn into the parking area for the hike.
The Gin Lin Trail is a ¾ mile long hiking trail that reveals the operation of a hydraulic mine. This mine was purchased and operated by Gin Lin, beginning in 1881. Located on Palmer Creek Road in the Applegate Valley, the trail has 14 marked locations keyed to a brochure that explains the origins and operation of the mine. The brochure is available at the Star Ranger Station. We also found it available as a pdf document on the website of the Forest Service.