Butte Creek Forks Recreational Area

I took Hwy 32 to Garland then 4.5 mile of dirt road to get there. Trail head is on the right 50 yards or so before the bridge. Maps are accurate. Dirt road was in good shape except for a few areas that had ruts and was bumpy. Ford Escape made it fine.

Directions are correct. Please avoid going onto the land of Kolar road. Also when you take the trail upstream there is a cable across the Butte creek. The original owner and family own from mountain to mountain. They even fought the BLM years ago and won. The family is a friend of mine and they have a lot of gold from this stream. There is gold and veins further downstream. Enjoy your trip.

From Skyway drive in Magalia, shortly past De Sabla, left on Powellton Rd which is not paved. Stay left at fork on Understock Rd which becomes Doe Mill Road. Follow Doe Mill down to the river where there is a bridge. This is Butte Creek Forks Rec area. The road is rugged, rocky and rutted almost need a 4x4. This area does get snow in winter. The Rec area is just a bridge. No facilities and little parking. There is a trail going upriver that you could take a backpack of gear. The water level was very low and according to a local friend the river was much slower than normal. So, this would be a good time of year to go. Did not see any mining activity, but lots of promising geology and river bank. A quad or hiking would be needed to go to campsites from Kolar road which is just a dirt path off Doe Mill after the bridge.

Directions are accurate as above. However Kolar Road now has a gate with posted no trespassing signs / private road.

Directions are still valid. Went to the second bridge parked there. Went down a steep “trail” next to the bridge found a couple specks but nothing crazy. Will have to try further upstream next time.