Bucks Pasture Trail
3.0 Miles, Moderate Difficulty, Elevations: 7,960’-8,620’; all uses are permitted but primarily a motorcycle trail.
...continues by the mostly tree covered Hay Flat, and on by the delightful Buck Pasture meadows.
The route is managed as an OHV route by the Eldorado National Forest and climbs from above the Silver Fork of the South Fork American River to the Sierra Crest north of Carson Pass.
DESCRIPTION:
In brief, this trail is a continuation above the OHV route starting at the attractive Negro Flat, up the dominant north ridge above Caples Creek that continues by the mostly tree covered Hay Flat, and on by the delightful Buck Pasture meadows. Above Buck’s, the country opens up and the views from Strawberry Pass, after joining that 4WD road, are inspiring. By Forest Service accounting, the trail begins at the junction of trail 10N14 and primitive road 10N14B from Cody Creek to the north. It continues up OHV 17E17 to its junction with the 4 WD Strawberry OHV Road 10N13. In summary, take a good map.
Views into the adjacent drainages are generally obstructed by forest trees and healthy stands of manzanita. This is a trail best used to get from the top to the bottom (or vice versus) where the trail, the exercise or the outing is the motivation, not the scenery so well hidden below in the canyons.
This dominant ridge along the north side of rugged, scenic Capples Creek is a primary route by motorcycle users but is available to non-motorized users also. The route is managed as an OHV route by the Eldorado National Forest and climbs from above the Silver Fork of the South Fork American River to the Sierra Crest north of Carson Pass. The Strawberry OHV 4WD road that drops by Schneider Camp provides access to Highway 88 a short distance below (west) of Carson Pass.
Alternate Directions -- Access to the upper (eastern) end via Highway 88: At the blacktopped road to the CalTrans Caples Lake Maintenance Station along Highway 88 that follows along the north side of Caples Lake, turn north, uphill at the CalTrans sign. Follow the Schneiders Cow Camp Road north as it curves west (left) of the fenced, CalTrans Yard. Here the road becomes gravel. Continue up the well traveled road to the small valley directly below Little Round Top Mountain. To the left down a spur road is a barn and remains of the old cow camp. Beyond here a 4WD vehicle is advised. Continue north and the road bends left (west) and climbs the dominant divide between the South Fork of the American River (and Strawberry Creek) and the Silver Fork of the South Fork of the American River (and Caples Creek). From the top there are awesome views of the California Alps south to the Sierra Crest climbing towards Highway 50, Echo Pass and the Desolation Wilderness. Caples Creek is a marvelous collage of rock, meadows and dark forests. This pass over the divide is dubbed Strawberry Pass; the road referred to as the Strawberry Pass 4WD Road (FS 10N13). The Bucks Pasture OHV Trails drops to the west down the rather gentle ridge while the 4WD road plunges into the side drainages.
DIRECTIONS:
To Bucks Pasture Trail
Access to the lower (western) end: From Kyburz on Highway 50, take the Silver Fork Road for 7 miles to the junction with Cody Meadows Road. Proceed on Cody Meadows Road for approximately five miles to Negro Flat where a four-wheel drive road will take you two miles farther to the trailhead located in Township 10 North, Range 17 East, Section 7.
ACTIVITIES:
Equestrian Trail Riding (Rating: Best)
The 4WD OHV roads on each end of this motorized single-track segment up the Caples Ridge makes this a long, but relatively easy ride from the Silver Fork of the American River to the headwaters of Caples Creek near Caples Lake on Highway 88. Tread way is good with little rock. The best views are from the Strawberry Pass 4WD Road on the upper (eastern) end of the route.
The route also connects to the Cody Meadows Trail that in summer and fall is heaven in a horse’s eye.
Watch for motorized vehicles
Mountain Biking (Rating: Best)
Following a motorized OHV trail, this segment ties two 4WD roads together. It’s this combination of routes that make this a choice ride. Using logging roads to access Negro Flat and then rapidly climbing up the 4WD road FS#17E52, and then accessing single-track along the 3 miles of the Bucks Meadows Trail and then dropping south along the Strawberry Pass Road FS#10N13, makes this a through-trek from the bottom the Silver Fork to the top near Carson Pass. Whew! Experts only due to length and climb.
Note: I don’t recommend the option of using the Strawberry Pass Road FS #10N13 south into Strawberry Creek as it is steep and often very rocky.
Hiking - Dayhikes (Rating: Good)
I’ve been there and done that. With the lack of views and elevation gains, I’ll leave this one for my mechanized and equestrian friends. Still, if you’re looking for another notch on your hiking stick and like to be away from the hiking frenzy, this one is for you. From Bucks Pasture up, this is great country. Most of the connecting trails near the top can be accessed via vehicles from the Carson Pass area.
OHV - Motorcycles (Rating: Exceptional)
This classy trail permits speed with few technical challenges, but watch for other users. The OHV trail is suitable for families. The ridge top is dominantly dry; so carry water. The trail is accessed by primitive 4WD roads on each end that in combination makes this a satisfying ride.
