Coming home to California is always a good time but it is especially wonderful this spring. Rainfall has been heavy in the Sierra Foothills and the trails at South Yuba State Park are just beginning to bloom! One of my favorite trails is the wildflower hike at Buttermilk Bend Trail.
The trail starts with some up hill but is fairly flat after the that. The trail follows a branch of the South Yuba River and is cut into the hillside a hundred feet or above the river. Views up and down the river valley can be spectacular, especially in early morning and late evening light. In full sun, the water often looks turquoise, especially in slow moving bends where sandy bottoms reflect lots of light. Heavy snow melt makes for a dramatic flow of water over the large granite rocks.
- Red Bud along the Buttermilk Bend Trail.
- Pipe Vine along the Buttermilk Bend Hiking Trail
- Wild Cucumber along the Buttermilk Bend Trail
- Bees on Red Bud on Buttermilk Bend Trail.
- Pipe Vine Swallowtail on Wild Hyacinth
- Bird’s Eye Gilia on the Buttermilk Bend Trail.
- California Poppy on the Buttermilk Bend Trail.
- Pretty Girl on the Buttermilk Bend Trail.
- Wild Larkspur on the Buttermilk Bend Trail
- Red Button, Buttermilk Bend Trail
- Wild Larkspur, Buttermilk Bend Trail
- Douglas Iris, Buttermillk Bend Trail
- California Oak, South Yuba State Park, California
In total, plan on hiking about 2.3 miles round trip. We spent a good three to four hours taking photos and chasing butterflies. Fast hikers could take much less time.
Make sure to bring water, a sun hat, and to wear sunscreen. And this year, it’s a good idea to check the weather before heading out. Raingear and a warm hat and gloves might be needed if a late winter storm is moving through the Sierra.
If you decide not to pack a breakfast or lunch, there is a small town center in Penn Valley with a colorful local cafe, the Day Break Cafe, and a few other restaurants.
For more information on the South Yuba State Park, please visit their website.
To download high-quality photos of wildflowers in bloom or of the Pipe Vine Swallowtail Butterfly, please visit my Buttermilk Bend Gallery on Shootproof.
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