Poker Flat

See Tahoe National Forest>West Slope>North Yuba River>Downieville map.

You can enter the route from either the south near Downieville or the north via La Porte. The best adventure leads you from one side to the other with a quiet overnight camp near downtown Poker Flat. But, the bustling little mining community has been dead for several generations; so don’t expect neon lights and bring your own cold drinks.

Canyon Creek split the Gold Rush town that straddled the stream that can be a bear to cross in higher flows. Flat ground for a community was scarce. The boomtown began in the early 1850s with the conversion from tent city to wooden structures by 1854. The town was never very large and most of the miners stayed in the surrounding hills and canyons. What there was burned, not once, but twice. Already declining from the reduction of easily recovered gold ore, Poker Flat never recovered from the 1876 conflagration.

Only the Scott family home remains (c.1888) on the north side of the creek, and the structure cannot remain through many winters without some restoration efforts. Beyond that, there are a few old timbers and foundations. However, on the north side of the creek there are several “modern” structures that are summer cabins for a small group of individuals that enjoy the quiet or continue to look for the elusive gold that is undoubtedly still there. The cemetery lies on the south side of the creek on the hill overlooking the ghostly remains of the town. Only relatively modern markers remain, and the cemetery has seen some recent use for those who “returned at last.”

There are those that like to believe this is the same mining community that Bret Hart used as the basis for his classic short story “The Outcasts of Poker Flat.” When you trace the fictionalized descriptions of the locale and the route the gambler and the three other “undesirables” used after they were ran out of town, you can tell that if this is The Poker Flat, Bret Hart never visited here. During the telling of the story, the four characters perished in a snowstorm. That part certainly fits this locale. This is remote country.

The 4WD route is relatively easy except for the last two or so miles into and out of the canyon. Coming and going, low-gear capability, 4WD is a necessity. If you want to get your vehicle back out again. The southern approach from Downieville has several sections of loose gravel or larger rock. The northern approach is more solid, but still very steep.

Once you are in the canyon, there are 4WD roads leading up Canyon Creek to mines in the upper headwaters. These are private property and still used off and on. Please respect their property and do not trespass. The OHV route does not climb east out of the headwaters into the Sunnyside Meadow area.

Directions -From the South:: The most interesting route climbs up the Saddleback Mountain Road (Sierra County #509) which begins about ¼ mile west of Downieville on Highway 49. The route intersects the highway at Cannon Point – and, yes, there is a cannon there. Stop to read the story at the interpretive panel in the parking area.

Continue on the Saddleback Mountain Road for over 8 miles until you intersect a lower standard road to the right just after rounding sharply to the left and crossing the very headwaters of Goodyears Creek that you’ve been following well above along the side hill for the past 8 miles. Turn right and continue uphill towards Saddleback Lookout. In about 0.4 mile you will go by the locally known “Bee Tree” and the road to the right that goes up to the lookout. Mountain bike shuttle vans turnaround here and drop off riders in the summer.

If you have time, it’s worth it to take the side road to the lookout. It’s less than ¾ mile. The views are outstanding, and the lookout is staffed summers into October.

To get to Poker Flat continue by the lookout road. In about another 0.9 mile you will continue by a high-standard road that comes in from the left (west). This road would take you to Cal-Ida and Highway 49 in Indian Valley – it is also an alternative route, faster when coming from the west, just not as scenic or as much back-country fun. After another 1.1 miles the road forks. The right fork goes to Chimney Rock. Continue to the left.

In about ¾ mile you’ll encounter at a “T” intersection another high-standard road. If you turned left, you could go to the Devils Postpile trailhead in about 5 ½ miles.

Turn right to Poker Flat access. In less than a mile you’ll encounter still another higher standard road coming in from the left (west). Again, stay right. After another long half-mile, the last road comes in from the left. Stay right. You’re now about 14 miles from Downieville. Shortly, the challenging part of the Poker Flat OHV route begins. The route starts out relatively easy and high-clearance vehicles could continue for a short distance, but it’s best if only 4WD go beyond the end of the high standard road.

In short: print this section of the map from Tahoe National Forest>West Slope>North Yuba River>Downieville (northwest of town) map and use it to follow the route. Much easier than tracking the written description.

Directions - From the North:: This approach is nearly 15 miles from LaPorte to downtown Poker Flat. Most of the route is via good quality dirt road. Only the last couple of miles require 4WD. From La Porte follow the paved road east out of town and turn right onto the dirt road to Howland Flat that begins less than a half mile from the outskirts of La Porte. Howland Flat is about 10.5 miles east and there a few structures remaining. Stick with the main road to get to this interesting, historic mining community.

Drive though “town” and in another ½ mile, continue to the right by the road that goes to the Gibsonville historic town site. The road quickly worsens and 4WD vehicles will soon be required.

To Poker Flat

See above for Directions at the bottom of the Description Section.

Communities

• Downieville

OHV Routes

• Chimney Rock
• Fir Top