Interior of covered bridge over the South Yuba River, douglas fir, unique engineering.
Some of California’s coolest trails and history spots are off of well traveled routes. The South Yuba Recreation Area is good example of a spot that offers multiple activities; it’s not just one of those drive-by historical marker trips.
Longest single span covered bridge in the west
The big attraction is the covered bridge built in 1862 after floods washed out the previous structure. The winter of 1862 must have had record rain as many bridges along the American River also were destroyed due to raging waters: Rattlesnake Bar Bridge and Folsom crossing. The state has done a nice job, with the help of volunteers, to restore the large barn, gas station and visitor center. There’s plenty of parking, picnic tables and, of course, the river.
Point Defiance trail loop
The Point Defiance trail loop provides great views and takes you through a variety
My little terrapin pond turtle friend I found on the trail.
of ecological settings. The loop is 2.75 miles long, has a steep grade of 20%, and an overall elevation change of 430′. Along the South Yuba River the path can be very rocky so make sure you have good shoes. It was here that I encountered a juvenile pacific pond turtle or terrapin. The signs warn of rattlesnakes, mountain lions, poison oak and ticks, but they never mentioned the terrapins!
Point Defiance is where the South Yuba joins the North Yuba River. The water gets slow as this is part of the lake created by Englebrite Dam. Like the Clementine Dam on the North Fork of the American River, Englebrite was built to retain the debris from hydraulic mining that clogged the rivers in the 19th century.
View of Yuba River flowing into Englebrite lake, north side of Pt. Defiance trail loop.
The grade on the north side of the Point Defiance trail is pretty steep and long as you climb out of the canyon. As the trail descends back to the South Yuba River you are taken through oak savannah woodland of towering valley and blue oaks. This part of trail is free of rock outcroppings, but it also has plenty of switch backs on the quick descent.
I could easily see spending the day here between visiting the historic structures, various trails and splashing in the river. Happy hiking.
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