On A Tank of Gas: September

Community Comments

Soth Yuba River State Park
The Ole Swimming Hole

by Suzanne Hurt

Indian summer days call for sun-splashed adventures in wild California. The heat has faded, leaving behind beautiful weather for spending a day outside. An overlooked gem shines an hour and a half northeast of Sacramento. South Yuba River State Park contains a pristine swimming hole, hiking trails and a historic covered bridge.
    This month is one of the best times to hang out at the park. The water remains swimmable, if not downright warm. Summer crowds are gone.
    “September is an excellent month to visit,” says Park Ranger Wayne Deese. The park is broken up into four sections spanning 20 miles of the scenic South Yuba. Private land and land managed by other government entities separate the sections. Park headquarters are located near Bridgeport off Pleasant Valley Road in Nevada County.
    There, what’s believed to be the world’s longest single-span covered bridge crosses a peaceful, clear green river. The 228-foot bridge was built in 1862 as “Wood’s Crossing.” It’s one of only nine or 10 covered bridges remaining in the state.
    But for most people, the river is the destination. The headwaters of the Yuba River start in the Sierra Nevada near Donner Summit. But this section of the river is shallow enough that the water warms to a delicious swimming temperature in the summer. This year, the water was cold until late June. The water remains pretty warm in September if the nights don’t get too cold and there hasn’t been rain, says Park Ranger Robert Coyan.
    The best swimming hole can be found at Kneebone Beach. The beach was named for the family that once owned the land and is a 10-minute walk upstream from the bridge through the woods on Kneebone Beach Trail.
Continued...

• Share
  • Digg This
  • del.icio.us
  • Newsvine
  • Facebook
  • Reddit
  • Furl It
  • !Y My Web
  • Google
• Email
• Print

Recommend This

Community Comments