South Yuba River: Edwards Crossing to Purdon Crossing is a 4.2 mile moderately trafficked point-to-point trail located near North San Juan, California that features a river and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
dogs on leash
camping
hiking
nature trips
walking
bird watching
forest
river
views
Hike wasn’t hard, but turned out to be a good workout. If you want to go all the way down to the river to swim that’s higher up long the trail (not the bridge area) make sure to wear hiking shoes/boots with strong grips. Lots of shade and poison oak make sure to wear long pants. The paths are also very narrow and rocky. I almost slipped off the trail from the rocks, so be careful and don’t rush!
We walked upriver from Edwards Crossing for a swim in the river. There are a few narrow trails up and downriver apart from the main trail that leads to Purdon Crossing. Beautiful, clear water today. Be careful with the swift current and the poison oak along the trails. If you walk upriver for a bit, you'll find good privacy.
Lot of shade, swimming holes, mossy rocks and trees. Good for the summer. The Emerald Pool and China Dam were jewels of this hike. We stumbled onto them on two of the branch-off the trail. Total around 11 mile when going down to the river included. Loved it.
Titus H.
Good trail, not too difficult. Plenty of shade and some good views. Fair warning there was a lot of poison oak on the trail so I’d recommend pants for this hike.
Didn’t do the whole hike. But will come back to do it.
John said it all. Great trail! We wanted to swim, but 30° is too cold...
Great conditions and great views with lots of shade. Trail was well-maintained and clear, though there were a couple of downed trees where the trail had been slightly rerouted. Weather was perfect in mid-October. DId this hike as an out and back. Explored a bit of the other side of the river (across the bridge) once I reached Purdon. Spent the night about a mile from Purdon Crossing a little way past the day use area (overnight camping is not allowed in the areas marked for day use at the beginning and end of this trail). A few other people camping on the river but by no means crowded. I'd say that is based on it being pretty late in the year. Got down in the low 40s at night but was prepared with layers so I kept plenty warm. Not too crowded. Only met one kind of sketchy looking individual on the trail in the Private Property crossing area who was carrying a pick axe and gold panning tools, but he seemed more or less harmless. About four carloads of people showed up looking for fun on the river when I returned to the car on Sunday. This leads me to believe that while this hike seems like it could be a lot of fun during the summer (with lots of great swimming holes) I'd be willing to bet the place is generally overrun and too crowded for a peaceful backpacking trip during the summer months. Unlike many other reviewers, I did not find any ticks. However, because of the time of year I was wearing lightweight full-length hiking pants and a long-sleeve shirt. Also, poison oak seemed minimal and I am highly sensitive to it (again, caveat could be due the time of year).
this trail is harder then stated
Edwards crossing was pretty populated mid-day on a Sunday. Hike in moderate, with plenty of opportunities to find spots to camp out and swim. Lots of locals seasoned with river time. Even though it was crowded, we found our little slice of heaven!
Beautiful trail, beautiful day, beautiful view. Loved every minute!
nice trail majority of it is shaded. poison oak along sections of the trail. great views and chances for great photos of the Yuba River and the canyon. bring water!
Fun little hike. All on the south side the river and in the trees so not much sun. We encountered lots of ticks and poison oak though so beware.
Marion M.
Beautiful river views. The four of us were the only ppl on the trail. It was March so maybe that is why. Easy trail. Want to take it to Purdon Crossing.
Only thing bad is the ticks . Going without your dog is the best idea.
9 am hike and the trail was empty, shaded and chilly till you warmed up. Everything is lush and green this time of year! There were only two spots that look like they had been recently washed out, but repaired pretty well. Definitely want to go back and make it all the way to Purdon next time.
I have been coming to this area for about 20 years. I first biked the trail. I have since given up Mt. Biking but hike almost every weekend. The views are epic. A included trip up Brown Mt. can make this a lot harder for those seeking more pain. The swimming is also epic the right time of the year. The other reason I come out here. We have a video on our YouTube channel Chris and Bobs adventure channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuC1b8Mbtb0&t=446s
Beautiful vistas and nice amount of tree coverage but there is A LOT of poison oak on this trail. Something to note the road going into this trail head does turn into a dirt road. Nothing crazy, more like a fire road, but just something to note.
TONS of poison oak, but beautiful views from the trail. Found an awesome campsite in between the day use areas right on the river to enjoy. Some parts of the side trails are nearly straight up and down. Great fishing.
Beautiful hike with great river views. lots of poison oak.
great views & trail was maintained well. yuba river is wild & strong river.
