South Yuba Trail – Missouri Bar to Poorman Cr.
This segment of the national recreation trail above the South Yuba River offers quiet forest and better exercise. It’s best asset is that it offers essentially year-round access; yet during winters snow drops just above the canyon – and occasionally a dusting or few inches of pristine snow into the canyon bottoms. Only few trails are equally blessed. Unfortunately, don’t expect many views of the river itself.
...trail lies usually well above the waterway.
Three stretches of National Forest lands along the South Yuba River are available to recreational panning for gold.
DESCRIPTION:
7.7 miles, difficult: moderate trail gradients but distance plus one climb of 600’ up and back down over private property results as difficult in total, elevations: 2400’-3000’-2420’--2620’,5-6 hours, no motorized vehicles.
Access to the trail junction at the bottom of the Missouri Bar trail is 1.4 miles. Total distance from one trailhead to the other end is 9.1 miles. Time 6-7 hours.
This segment is a key link of the series of trails with the occasional use of roads that allows gung-ho outdoor fans to mountain bike, equestrian trail ride or hike from Purdon Crossing to the Sierra Crest. But only by combining several trails and even low-use county roads. Perhaps some day the dream trail will exist as a solid entity. Today, it is best enjoyed along the segments completed. And this is a good one.
The rugged rock face of the canyon walls above the river itself dictated that location of the trail lies usually well above the waterway. Plus, the trail location has to climb above a significant parcel of private land on the north side of the river. From the west, Missouri Bar, the trail steadily climbs the 600 feet elevation needed to avoid the private holdings stretching between Union and Logan Canyons. East of Union Canyon, two sets of switchbacks climb over and down the steep terrain.
Three or four unmarked trails drop to the river and permit swimming gold panning or camping (check for campfire permits in season) for determined outdoor enthusiasts. Users take the challenge to day-hike the full length to add a notch to their hiking pole. Actually, mountain bikers are the main fans and find the challenge perfect for experts that are in good shape.
Dense forest restricts all but a few wildflowers. BUT, the trail is regaled (or cursed) for the healthy growth of poison oak. Hikers can usually dodge the stems, but mountain bikers only know if they got the rash a few days later. Prepare and protect yourself. Remember, in the winter and before spring leaves come out, the poison oak stems are still there. Just more challenging to see.
Three stretches of National Forest lands along the South Yuba River are available to recreational panning for gold. See http://www.sierraoutdoorrecreation.com/Activities/Recreational_Gold_Prospecting.cfm. The first and longest stretch of available river begins on the prominent bend of the river a little over one-half mile downstream of the Poorman Creek Trailhead. The trail above Logan Creek dips near the river next to the next segment downriver. The third stretch is best accessed via Missouri Bar Trail as the segment lies from that stream downriver.
During the gold rush this stretch of the South Yuba was inhabited by over a thousand miners – many holding up in small communities that today are overgrown by vegetation and old age to the point that they can not be located except by proper archeologists. If you find something historic – leave it there just as you found it.
For hikers this is a trek most enjoyed if there is a shuttle vehicle on the other end. The Relief Hill Road that parallels the trail, but well above, the canyon makes the shuttle rather easy. If you trek upriver, Missouri Bar to Poorman Creek, enthusiasts don’t have to climb up the 1050’ elevation at the end of vigorous hike. Most of us aren’t quite so enthusiastic after a strenuous climb at the end of the day especially after the nearly eight miles it takes to get to the bottom of the climb.
| Miles | Elevation Range | Options |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | 2580’-2820’ | See Mountain Biking below for discussion of the shorter option referred to as Lower South Yuba/Missouri Bar Trails. |
DIRECTIONS:
To South Yuba Trail – Missouri Bar to Poorman Cr.
Western trailhead: This trail segment of the South Yuba River Trail begins at the bottom end of the Missouri Bar Trail where it intersects the river trail. To use this segment, the western trailhead then is the Missouri Bar Trailhead. Directions: from North Bloomfield town site in the Malakoff Diggins State Historical Park drive the Relief Hill Road 0.7 mile on the county road. Turn right at trail sign onto dirt road and follow 0.3 mile to trailhead.
Eastern trailhead: Drive to Washington – Travel 13 miles east of Nevada City via Highway 20; turn left (north) on Washington Road and follow it 6 miles to downtown. Drive through town and cross South Yuba River Bridge and head straight up the Gaston Road. Within 0.3 mile, turn left (west) onto Relief Hill Road. Drive west to Poorman Creek Bridge (1.7 mile). Then continue 0.1 mile to the signed access road to the trailhead dropping sharply left.
ACTIVITIES:
Mountain Biking (Rating: Best)
Lots of poison oak. You will brush by poisonous stems. Prepare and protect yourself. The Relief Hill Road that parallels the trail but well above the canyon makes a round-trip long but rather easy. If you trek it upriver, Missouri Bar to Poorman Creek, riders don’t have to climb up the 1050’ elevation at the end of vigorous trek. Most riders aren’t quite so enthusiastic after the climb at the end of the day – not to mention the nearly eight miles of technically challenging single-track to get to the bottom of the climb. Options: Access trails and trailheads to the trail above the river are: South Yuba Campground, Missouri Bar Trail and the Poorman Creek Trailhead. See trail segments (west to east): South Yuba Trail: So. Yuba Cmpg. to Humbug Creek; also, South Yuba Trail – Humbug Creek to Missouri Bar Trails
Hiking: Dayhikes (Rating: Best)
A great hike, especially in the off season. Best in early spring before the high country melts its snowy cloak. Falls good too. Summers are best reserved to gold panning, swimming or primitive camping.
For hikers, this trek is most enjoyed if there is a shuttle vehicle on the other end. The Relief Hill Road that parallels the trail, but well above the canyon, makes the shuttle rather easy. If you trek it upriver, Missouri Bar to Poorman Creek, enthusiasts don’t have to climb up the 1050’ elevation at the end of vigorous hike. Most of us aren’t quite so enthusiastic after the climb at the end of the day – not to mention, the nearly eight miles to get to the bottom of the climb.
Recreational Gold Prospecting (Rating: Best)
Three stretches of National Forest lands along the South Yuba River are available to recreational panning for gold. Follow the rules. Tool uses are restricted. Recreational Gold Prospecting.
The first and longest stretch of available river begins on the prominent bend of the river a little over one-half mile downstream of the Poorman Creek Trailhead. The trail above Logan Creek dips near the river next to the next segment downriver. The third stretch is best accessed via Missouri Bar Trail; the segment lies from the stream downriver.
Equestrian Trail Riding (Rating: Good)
A great ride, especially in the off season. Great in early spring before the high country melts its snowy cloak. Watch and protect yourself from poison oak.
Access trails and trailheads to the trail above the river are: South Yuba Campground, Missouri Bar Trail and the Poorman Creek Trailhead. See trail segments (west to east): South Yuba Trail: So. Yuba Cmpg. to Humbug Creek; plus,South Yuba Trail – Humbug Creek to Missouri Bar Trails.
