Museums and Parks / South Yuba River SP
 South Yuba River State Park: |
| Virginia Turnpike Loop
From the Visitor's Center, cross over the road at the south end of the covered bridge and follow the trail downstream. After a few steps downward onto the trail a large pit appears on the left. Closer examination reveals round or river rock around the sides. These are the remnants of the bed of the ancient Yuba River which flowed during the Tertiary Period and originally brought placer gold to the area around 30 million years ago. The early gold miners dug this pit to get at that gold, and piled stones up and out of the way and, we are told, there was a tunnel or "drift" dug into that river bed under the field adjacent to the ranch house. As the trail progresses many more piles can be seen, particularly on the left. It is probably not a good idea to rummage around in these piles as the rattlesnakes are particularly fond of them, and posion oak is abundant in the area. There are several stretches of beach along the river, particularly near the covered bridge, that provide suitable picnic spots as one travels downstream to the Kentucky Creek confluence with the South Yuba River, including a platform with picnic table where the handicapped can enjoy the view. Shortly the trail turns left and follows Kentucky Creek upstream. There is a restroom a little way up the trail open only during summer months. The trail then goes past the Kneebone Cemetery. The Kneebone's were Bridgeport owners for many years, and an excellent treatise of their history is available at the Visitor's Center. Looking back toward the Visitor's Center from the cemetery, two large stone walls define a portion of the old Virginia Turnpike that passed through the covered bridge. It is believed that these walls were built to discourage cutting into the turnpike to avoid paying the toll, and portions of them can be seen in various places along Pleasant Valley Road all the way from the Williams Ranch school to French Corral. This loop is now open to the public and tours are led through the historic structures. The new park visitor center is now open (old ranch house) and the public can now walk up and down the historic Virginia Turnpike, avoiding the highway. |
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