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What is the Esoteric Society?
Around 1891, Hiram Erastus Butler arrived in Applegate
from Boston, where he had previously been a member of Madame Blavatsky's
Theosophical Society. He had authored a book entitled "Solar Biology,"
challenging various philosophical beliefs of Blavatsky's popular sect, and had
formed a new organization called the Esoteric Society to promote his ideas.
He and his new group migrated to their present
Applegate location, not far from the railroad line that had brought them west,
to be free to live their beliefs. They built a publishing operation and
religeous retreat on the grounds of the 90 acre property. The buildings were
constructed from bricks made by Society members on the property, using local
manzanita to fire the brick kiln. The printing press and bindery are still
operational, and the library houses an extensive collection of religeous and
philosophical tracts.
The grounds are now managed by the Society's senior member
and caretaker, Fred Peterson. If you are fortunate, you may run into him on
one of your visits. He is a fascinating person to chat with about all things
"Esoteric."
MVTA has a long-standing agreement with the Society,
allowing our members access to the property in exchange for regular efforts
to help keep the trails clear and reduce fire danger.
Features:
The Esoteric trailsmeander among groves of manzanita
and pine along the crest above the canyon of the North Fork.
MVTA members can request keys and an ID badge from our
Trails
Coordinator and can let themselves into the Esoteric property to use the
trails.
There is also a back gate, near the trailhead parking
area, that lets out onto the trails that connect to the Boole Road area and to
the Codfish Creek/American River canyons.
Availability:
The trail network is multi-use and is available to MVTA
members year-round during daylight hours. To avoid causing erosion, steep
sections of the trails should not be used during the rainy season (usually
mid-November thru mid-April.)
Difficulty:
The Esoteric trails are easy-to-moderate in difficulty.
Most of the trails follow old wagon roads; some are single track.
Map Notes:
Click on the map above to view a detailed version.
Driving access is via Boole Road from the I-80 Applegate exit. The roadway from
the front gate up to the parking area is unpaved and narrow. Drive with
care.
The trailhead is marked on the map by a circle-P parking
icon. There is space for several full-size vehicles or a couple of 3-horse
trailer rigs. Larger rigs are not recommended due to the nature of the roadways
from the gate to the parking area.
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 may hang 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.
Directions to the trailhead:
- From I-80, take the Applegate exit and follow the
overpass road East to where it T's into Applegate Road.
- Go left onto Applegate Road; the road passes through a
one-lane tunnel under the railroad.
- Take an immediate right after the tunnel onto Boole
Road. Boole Road is narrow and has poor shoulders, so drive with care. Look
for a left turn about a mile down. There is a sign on the side that reads,
"Esoteric Publishing Society."
- The gate to the Esoteric property is about 1/4 mile
in. The gate is kept padlocked. Be sure to close and lock the gate behind
you, both coming and going.
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