Poker Flat

Total Miles
28.2

Elevation

2,028.62 ft

Duration

4 Hours

Technical Rating

4

Moderate

Best Time

Summer

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Poker Flat 8

Trail Overview

A challenging drive that passes through two historic gold mining towns: Poker Flat and Howland Flat. The trail can be used as a shortcut between Downieville and La Porte. Trip to Saddleback Mountain Lookout Tower has rewarding views. Green-sticker vehicles can stage on the La Porte side at the large warming hut. We enjoyed our stop in rustic Downieville.

Photos of Poker Flat

Poker Flat
Poker Flat

Difficulty

Moderate: Mostly a wide, easy, dirt road. One narrow, steep, rocky climb with banks on each side between Waypoints 06 and 07. Stock SUVs should have high ground clearance and skid plates.

History

In 1850, Poker Flat produced $700,000 in gold every month. Nearly 2,000 people occupied the town at its peak. The town developed its notoriety largely from a fictional tale by Bret Harte entitled 'Outcasts of Poker Flat.' Howland Flat produced an estimated $14 million in gold over its lifetime.

Technical Rating

4

Status Reports

Dominique Weisenburg
Jul 14, 2024
2014 Toyota Tundra
Open
Normal
Dusty
Full width-ish left with some more pin stripes to the collection get rocky after Howard flat turn off(if you start from Le Porte) then it gets easier but steep climbs. If you go don’t for get to stop and smell the roses it’s beautiful out there just take your time.
Colm Hayden
Jul 05, 2024
2015 Toyota Tacoma
Open
Dusty
Was definitely a harder trail than expected. Getting down into Poker Flats in from La Port was the hard part, getting back up towards Downyville was still challenging but much easier. Great Ridgeline views and a fun water crossing. Camping in Poker Flats was also spectacular.
Jake Tkach
Jun 28, 2024
4x4
Open
Normal
Dusty
Easy forest road until you start coming down and then back up into la Porte it gets rocky
Zong Xiong
Jun 09, 2024
4x4
Open
Normal
Rough/Deteriorated
Dusty
Muddy/Wet
Snow/Ice

Access Description

From Downieville, head west 0.3 miles and turn right on a graded dirt road marked to Poker Flat.

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