Bucks Summit to Middle Fork Feather River:

Bucks Summit is a central staging point for hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, following meandering four wheel drive roads, or accessing the rugged Wild & Scenic Middle Fork Feather River canyon.

Bucks Summit sits at about 5,500 feet and is three miles from Bucks Lake. On its north side is the Bucks Lake Wilderness and the Pacific Crest Trail working its way to Belden and eventually Canada. To the south are a number of forest roads that take the visitor into the watershed of the Middle Fork Feather River, designated as a “Wild and Scenic River” by Congress in 1968. This is the longest and main tributary of the Feather River system, originating in the placid Sierra Valley, which it leaves to carve an ever-deepening canyon, finally crashing its way through a solid granite gorge to end in Lake Oroville. Magnificent views of the rugged gorge can be had from the trailheads and from various points along the canyon’s rim. Steep hiking trails and only one or two vehicle routes lead into this pristine river canyon, so although the fishing is excellent, the terrain is recommended only for strong hikers.