Tuesday, April 6, 2010

DIFFICULTY: Moderate

ELEVATION GAIN: about 500 feet

HIKE DISTANCE: 6 miles

GENERAL LOCATION: South Yuba River State Park - Bridgeport (in Penn Valley)

DESCRIPTION: This should be a wonderful wildflower hike.  Buttermilk Bend is normally particularly spectacular this time of year.  Buttermilk Bend is an easy, nearly flat trail.  Defiance Point is a more difficult trail, which we have not prehiked.  I follows the Yuba River part way, then turns inland and loops over a hill and returns to the starting point.  This is at the location of the Bridgeport covered bridge - the longest single span wood arch bridge in the U.S. - built in 1862.

TRAVEL TIME/DISTANCE:  51 miles – about 1 1/4 hours.  Return about 3 to 4 PM.  This is a $9 ride.

HIKE LEADER/SWEEP:  David & Monique Wood

SPECIAL NOTES:

FACILITIES AVAILABLE: Yes

PREPARATION FOR HIKE: Bring hiking poles if you are used to using them. Bring lunch and water.

RISKS: Poison oak is always a possibility at the relatively low elevation.

QUESTIONS: call Woods at 408-7562

Call the Woods (408-7562) if you plan to join us.  This is not prehiked, and we cannot be sure of the trail slope or condition.

MEETING TIME: 8:30 – leave at 8:45

Driving directions:  Take your favorite route to I-80 east and Hi-way 49 north.  Before Grass Valley, take Hi-way 20 west for 7.6 miles, then turn north (right) onto Pleasant Valley Road for about 7 miles to the parking lot on the left.