I'm pretty unfamiliar with this site and trails in the Sierra's, but there are examples of ancient sites and trails associated with salt sources (licks or springs) in the eastern half of what's now the United States.
Specifically, a trade route between Angel Mounds the "Great Salt Spring" (that area also being a source of fluorite.) The Kincaid Mounds are also thought to have had a trading route to this same salt spring.
Something is not right. This message is just to keep things from messing up down the road