Photo by Bob Baikauskas
Lincoln Hills
Photography Club
South Yuba River State Park
Covered Bridge at South Yuba River State Park
The Visitor's Center is on the left as you approach Bridgeport, had several plant identification booklets, an assortment of postcards, a large taxidermied bear, and other animals. It was a pleasant place, well done. Surrounding the visitor's center were a restored 1920's gas station, and an old barn with very old wagons. The small cemetery a hundred yards down the historical roadway had graves of people important when the city of Bridgeport was being developed.
The old covered bridge was closed for renovation. We asked docents why they were wearing SOB signs. Their answer, Save Our Bridge.
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Two trails in this park are well known for their diverse display of wildflowers, Buttermilk Bend and Point Defiance Trails.
Pipe Vine Swallowtail on Canyon Dudlea
White Globe Lily
Spider on Blue Dick
Spider on Yarrow
Indian Pink, Defiance Loop
South Yuba River
Blue Eyed Grass
Wally Basket
Fiddleneck
Pipevine, the larval host to the Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly
To Get There
The park is 60 miles from SCLH. There are two routes, both about the same distance, and taking about the same time.
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(1) Follow Route 65 and Route 70 to Marysville and then turn right on Route 20. You'll come to Penn Valley and a traffic light. Turn left on Pleasant Valley Road. Continue to the park.
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(2) Follow I-80 to Auburn and then north on Route 49. Turn left on Route 20 and in Penn Valley, turn right at the light onto Pleasant Valley Road.