* Trail Length:
** Elevation Range:
Operating Season:
27.4 Miles - point to point
2959' - 6472'
After the snow melt
Poker Flat trail will take you through the once booming hills during the gold rush. Before you even start the trail it is worth taking a few minutes to check out the Town of Downieville. Once one of the most active and richest regions in the Sierra Nevada Downieville is a great town to kick off a weekend of wheeling. Downieville is also a popular staging area for mountain biking and kayaking.
Trailhead - Poker Flat trail begins just west of the town of Downieville. During the gold rush Downieville was one of the fastest growing and richest areas in the Sierras. Take your time to visit the town and grab a bite to eat before you hit the trail. As you head west out of town the trailhead is located just beyond the first right hand curve in the road. There will be a monument of a cannon off the shoulder on the outside of the curve.Fir Cap OHV Trail Junction - Fir Cap OHV trail takes a hard right and goes back down the mountain reconnecting with Saddleback Road. Continue straight to Poker Flat.
Junction to Saddleback Lookout - Saddleback lookout is a short distance to the right. It will only take a few minutes to reach the lookout and the views are incredible.
Saddleback Lookout - During the Summer months Saddleback Lookout is an active fire lookout within the Tahoe National Forest. Not only does the tower have some incredible views but the view from the outhouse is not half bad either.
Plumas National Forest (US Forest Service)
Tahoe National Forest (US Forest Service)
Tahoe National Forest - Basin (US Forest Service)
Downieville (USGS Topo)
Goodyears Bar (USGS Topo)
La Porte (USGS Topo)
Mount Fillmore (USGS Topo)
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From Interstate 80 - Sacramento (102 Miles)
- Head East on Interstate 80 (32 Miles)
- Exit Hwy 49 toward Grass Valley
- Turn left (North) onto Hwy 49 (27.8 Miles)
- Turn left just beyond Nevada City to stay on Hwy 49
- Continue on Hwy 49 (41.7 Miles)
- Turn left onto Saddleback Rd. just before Downieville
From Interstate 80 - Reno (90 Miles)
- Head West on I80 (30 Miles)
- Take exit 188 for Hwy 89
- Turn right (North) onto Hwy 89 (22.9 Miles)
- Turn left onto Hwy 49 in Sierraville (35.3 Miles)
- Turn left on Main St./ Hwy 49 in Downieville (0.4 Miles)
- Turn right on Saddleback Rd.
| Trailhead | 39° 33' 28.9" N | - 120° 50' 04.3" W |
| Fir Cap OHV Trail Junction | 39° 37' 48.0" N | - 120° 51' 47.0" W |
| Junction to Saddleback Lookout | 39° 38' 01.0" N | - 120° 52' 03.0" W |
| Saddleback Lookout | 39° 38' 10.9" N | - 120° 51' 50.4" W |