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BUTTERMILK
BEND & POINT DEFIANCE TRAILS
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2023
DIFFICULTY: Easy--Buttermilk
Bend Trail. Moderate--Point Defiance Loop
ELEVATION/ELEVATION
GAIN: 600’ to
start/500’ gain
HIKE
DISTANCE: Buttermilk Bend
Trail is an in-and-out
hike of 2.5 miles. Point Defiance Trail is a 3-mile loop with
some switchbacks
and rocky areas. Both trails combined total 5.5
miles. If you wish,
you can hike just the Buttermilk Bend Trail (easy), visit the historic
buildings, and then return to SCLH.
GENERAL LOCATION: About 16 miles west
of Grass Valley
at Bridgeport, South Yuba River State Park.
DESCRIPTION: Buttermilk Bend Trail features
great views of the
South Yuba River along with lovely wildflowers, many with labels. You
can now
once again walk through the beautifully restored Bridgeport
Bridge. Built
in 1862 (by David Wood!), it was the longest single-span covered bridge
in
America and is one of only ten covered bridges left in
California. We
will complete the first hike, stop for lunch, then continue on to the
Point
Defiance Trail. Expect an initial climb with switchbacks, then
leveling
out with views of Lake Englebright at the confluence of the South Yuba
and Yuba
rivers. The trail is rocky in places but nothing too
difficult. Hiking poles
and boots are recommended.
TRAVEL TIME/DISTANCE: 56 miles each way from
Lincoln Hills. 1
hour 20 minutes travel time. $12 donation to drivers is
suggested. $4.00
parking fee for seniors (free with California State Parks pass).
HIKE LEADER/SWEEP: Gay Mackintosh/Sweep TBD
SPECIAL NOTES:
FACILITIES
AVAILABLE: Pit toilet at
parking area.
PREPARATION FOR HIKE
1) Bring
a copy of your ID (driver’s
license), health card, and emergency contact name and phone
number with
you on the hike.
2) Always bring a pair of
shoes along with your hiking
boots, with a bag to store your dirty hiking boots on the drive home.
Please be
considerate of the driver’s car and wear clean shoes on the way
home.
3) Bring hiking boots, poles,
water, lunch, layered clothing.
RISKS:
Poison oak along
the trails but easily avoidable
QUESTIONS: Call
Gay Mackintosh, 916-209-3628
MEETING TIME: 7:45 AM
LEAVE: 8:00 AM
Return time to Lincoln Hills approximately
3:30 PM.
HIKE
CANCELLED IF RAIN ON THE DAY OF THE HIKE
DRIVING
DIRECTIONS
Prehike photo
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