Buttermilk Bend Trail
Catching the best wildflower season from March into May, the prolific numbers and species of blossoms displayed along an easy trail, make this one of the best hiking trails in the Penn Valley-Nevada City-Grass City area. Add: plant identification placards placed alongside many of the flowering plants, handy bridges or wooden steps, trailside benches, river views, plus a Visitor Center this is one of Mother Nature’s proudest wildflower showcases. With over 75 flowering species found along the trail—practically anywhere.
...over 75 flowering species...
...The Park’s center piece is Bridgeport Covered Bridge built in 1862 and listed as the longest single- span, arch- truss covered bridge in North America.
DESCRIPTION:
1.2 miles, easy, elevations: 550’-800’, 1½ hours. Wheelchair available to bridge across small creek about 0.7 mile in.
More icing: park volunteers lead wildflower identification hikes on weekends March thru May. 11:00 AM but call for verification on any individual day (530-432-2546). Even gold panning demonstrations and lessons Memorial Day through Labor Day weekends. History days, birding walks too!
Perhaps better yet: The Park’s center piece is Bridgeport Covered Bridge built in 1862 and listed as the longest single-span, arch-truss covered bridge in North America. Still looking sturdy and photogenic, don’t miss the walk across the span over the South Yuba River. Park in the Visitors Center Parking area, or follow the historic road a couple hundred feet downriver from the Buttermilk Bend Parking area. Just don’t miss it.
Hiking the trail: Hikers generally follow the trail above the river that climbs by a small cluster of redbud trees and then up wooden steps. Here it connects with the easier trail used by wheelchairs and anyone wanting the easiest approach.
The trail from here is generally level, hard-packed dirt. Suitable for most users, but be careful to stay away from the steep edge dropping to the river. About 1/3 mile in, a set of stone steps drop steeply into a rutted trail down the nose of a small ridge to a nice spot for photographs. Did I say steep? Beyond the 50-feet, or so, wooden bridge wheelchair users must stop. Beyond there for a couple stretches the trail requires moderate abilities for hikers.
When the trail sign says “Trail Ends,” believe it. Another “users’ trail” scrambles into the boulders along the river and you can work your way up to one more accessible pool beyond trail’s end. Before that, the best set of river rapids can be moderately easily accessed by the user’s trail that drops just before the Park Boundary Sign. In several places, trails drop steeply to the river for swimming access—the further upriver, especially after the trail leaves the State Park, the fewer the swimming suits you’ll see. Must be all that extra weight one would have to carry.
| Miles | Elevation Range | Options |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 550’-800’ |
|
DIRECTIONS:
To Buttermilk Bend Trail
South Yuba River State Park on Pleasant Valley Road south of Lake Wildwood and Penn Valley and Highway 20 at the stoplight. Drive south on the paved road for 8 miles to the South Yuba River. Large parking area across concrete bridge from Visitor Center; hike upriver. Vault Toilet. Picnic Tables.
A separate, paved parking spot for wheelchair handicap vehicles sits behind the locked park gate. Arrangements for access can be made at the Visitors Center. From the parking spot, follow the trail up three switchbacks. For the first segment of a couple hundred feet, someone to help by pushing will be appreciated by average wheelchair users. Wheelchair access available about 0.7 mile.
ACTIVITIES:
Hiking: Dayhikes (Rating: Exceptional)
One of the best. The 2.4 miles roundtrip can be done briskly, but this trail is not for hiking so much for exercise as it is to pausing to smell the flowers. If you are in the neighborhood—especially during the spring blossoming period—don’t miss this one.
Historic Sites (Rating: Exceptional)
The Bridgeport site in the South Yuba River State Park is an outstanding depiction of Gold Rush history. The wooden bridge has been maintained to look it much as it did in 1862 when it was constructed. It is the longest, single-span, arch-truss, covered bridge in North America. Stroll across it, take pictures, learn more from the sign-panels and especially from the Visitor Center. Perfect place for kids. You can even take a lesson on how to pan for gold much as the miners did it. Call: (530) 432-2546.
