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What is the Weimar Institute?
The Weimar Institute, also known as the
Weimar Center of Health & Education,
originally opened in 1919 as a small tuberculosis sanitarium. Government
officials formed a consortium of six central California counties in 1917 and
chose Weimar, California, as one of five ideal locations in the United States
for recovery from the respiratory disease. Located at 2,200’ elevation in
the Sierra Nevada foothills, the sanatorium grew to a large hospital supported
by 15 counties.
The institution changed in 1957 to the Weimar Chest Center,
treating other pulmonary diseases. In 1960 it was renamed Weimar Medical
Center. The facility became a general community hospital in 1966, but closed in
1972 due to financial cuts by the state and counties. The property changed
hands several times, and in 1975 the institution became Hope Village, a
temporary relocation center for Vietnamese refugees.
In May of 1977, a group of Seventh-day Adventists purchased
the 457 acres and began its development into the health and Christian
education facility that exists today.
About one third of the total acreage is used as a
campus, including administrative buildings and housing. The remaining two
thirds is a wonderful nature preserve that is threaded by numerous
well-maintained trails. The Institute graciously allows public access to its
trails for use by hikers and equestrians.
Features:
Extensive network of trails through oak/pine/manzanita
forested areas with seasonal and year-round creeks and some natural meadows.
Some trails have "tunnels" through old manzanita groves. Bring your
camera.
Availability:
Open all year during daylight hours. Use is restricted
to walkers and equestrians. No bikes or motorized vehicles. To avoid causing
erosion, steep sections of these trails should not be used during the rainy
season (usually mid-November thru mid-April.)
Difficulty:
Trails generally range from easy to moderate, with
well-conditioned surfaces and very few rocks. Signage is very
good.
Directions to the Weimar Institute main entrance:
- From I-80, take the West Paoli Lane exit and proceed
to the frontage road on the west side of the freeway.
- Go right onto West Paoli Lane heading north, and look
for the parking areas on your right. The main entrance to the campus is on the
left.
- No registration is required. Regardless of whether
you are hiking or leading a horse, enter via the main gate and cross the campus
along the southerly side road to reach the trail network.
Other Access Points:
Refer to the detailed map version linked above for
information about alternative access points into the Institute's network from
the surrounding neighborhoods.
Cautions:
 These trails traverse
Cougar Habitat. Cougar sightings are rare,
but use good sense: Do not walk or ride these trails alone. Keep small
children and pets close at hand.
Poison Oak grows along
some of these trails and hangs out into the trail in places.
Drinking Water must be carried with you. Creek and
river water are not safe for human
consumption, no matter how clean it looks. Drink it only in an emergency
and consult a doctor afterwards. |
