Kyburz brings together local history and several outdoor highlights that can be planned in different ways. There is a specific driving route to the Caples Creek Trail; for the river runs, rapid classes and flow rates are important distinguishing features, while Sugarloaf offers climbing routes of varying difficulty. The town and its surroundings also hold traces of the past. Those planning a trip to Kyburz can choose among hiking, climbing, river activities, and local history without turning them into a single itinerary.
Hiking and Climbing
The Caples Creek Trail follows the rushing waterfalls of Caples Creek. After the first mile, the trail reaches the creek and continues past Jake Schneider and Government Meadows. From Kyburz, reach the trailhead by turning south onto Silver Fork Road and driving ten winding miles to just before Fitch Rantz Bridge. Road conditions may vary; check access before setting out. The directions and trail route answer different planning questions: the drive takes you to just before the bridge, while the trail follows the waterfalls and later reaches the creek.
Sugarloaf rises directly above Kyburz, a 400-foot granite spire with climbing routes of varying difficulty. Unlike the Caples Creek Trail, the focus here is climbing a single rock formation, not a trail along the water. Check access and conditions separately.
Comparing River Runs
A July 2003 environmental impact study describes two runs with different characteristics. The Kyburz to Riverton Run has Class III to IV+ rapids and is runnable at flows of 700 to 1,200 cfs. The Lovers Leap Run is rated Class V and ends about 9.5 miles downstream near Kyburz. For comparison, the specific flow range matters in addition to the class for the first run; for the second, the approximate location of the takeout and the class are the key distinguishing features. Check current river conditions for both; for the Kyburz to Riverton Run, also check whether the flow is suitable, and for the Lovers Leap Run, check access as well.
Traces of Local History
Kyburz once had an inn and a tollhouse. Webster's Sugar Loaf House is one mile west of Kyburz; during the Comstock Rush, it was a well-known stopping place. Starting in April 1860, the house served as a supply station for the Central Overland Pony Express. In 1861, it became a horse-changing station for pioneer stagecoach companies and the Overland Mail. The chronology shows how its role changed: the Pony Express supply stop was followed the next year by horse changes for the other named mail services.
Buildings in Kyburz also tell of different eras and uses. A barn dating from 1863 now houses a modern Union-76 garage. The historic lodge features distinctive stonework by Umberto Sibriglio. The transportation and mail history of the house west of town and the architectural history of buildings in Kyburz can thus be understood as different aspects of local history.
Discover more destinations: Coloma, El Dorado Hills, Pollock Pines, South Lake Tahoe, Rescue, Somerset, Placerville, Cameron Park.
For the broader travel overview: El Dorado.
