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

Skyler Mosier
Nov 02, 2024
4x4
Open
Muddy/Wet
Snow/Ice
Snow patches in areas were about 5” deep also gate to look out was closed
Brett Taylor
Sep 22, 2024
4x4
Open
Dusty
Pretty mellow fire roads until just before a fun water cross & poker flat camp. Stock vehicles can make it to poker flat all good, just may have to chose proper route. After that, it gets super fun. Steep grades with loose rocks & roots. Had to build up a section right at the start of the 4x4 section with rocks to ensure I made it. It’s steep & definitely more than I expected. 4low & locked the center diff on the 4x4 section, probably a bit too late, but my lady wasn’t too comfortable w the trail so I did everything I could to make her feel safe. Will go back to camp at poker flat for sure - super rad few campsites next to a small swimming hole.
Mark Brooks
Sep 21, 2024
4x4
Open
Normal
Dusty
we had a group of 13 of us (12 broncos and a jeep), all on 33" or bigger tires. It was a dusty drive for sure, but a great drive. We started by Downieville, went up to the fire tower and down poker flat to La Porte. We stopped several times to enjoy the sights, eat lunch, etc and took about 6.5 hours to complete the trail. There were some rocks, but nothing too crazy. Air down to 15psi or so just to make the drive a bit more comfortable, and enjoy!
Travis White
Sep 01, 2024
4x4
Open
Rough/Deteriorated
The climb from the river to LaPorte is very rutted out with some small shelves. Full size rigs will get some hillbilly pinstripes. Most of the trail is gravel road-ish until the last two miles or so in and out of the creek. Challenging trail for stock vehicles.

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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