Ben Overturff Trail

Overview

The trail starts on Sawpit Road #2N30 a few hundred yards from where the pavement ends and is marked by 2 stone pillars and a sign with historical information. It drops down under a shady oak canopy with nice specimens of fuchsia flowering gooseberries (beautiful in early spring), crosses Sawpit Creek then follows the stream briefly before climbing a series of switchbacks up to the ridge. The trail steepens on a half mile ascent to a saddle. It then re-enters an oak forest, drops down slightly then goes back up to Twin Springs. There are some old pipes lying around where water gushes out from under the trail and another seasonal flows in the nearby canyon bottom. A short spur trail heads east to reconnect with the road.<br><br>The trail ascends a few switchbacks, then drops down, crosses another seasonal stream, then goes back up again to a junction with the Ben Overturff Spur Trail. The short spur leads to the remains of an old backcountry lodge and is a nice spot for a lunch break. The right fork leads back to the road where there is a vault toilet.<br><br>You can return the same way or make a loop trip by hiking along the road.<br><br>The trail is named for a local developer who built and ran the Deer Park Lodge.

Trail Stats

Photos

Interpretive sign on the history of Sawpit Canyon.

Interpretive sign on the history of Sawpit Canyon.

Pipes previosly used to divert water from Twin Springs.

Pipes previosly used to divert water from Twin Springs.

Restroom facility at end of Ben Overturff Trail.

Restroom facility at end of Ben Overturff Trail.

Entrance to the Ben Overtruff Trail

Entrance to the Ben Overtruff Trail

Water emerging from under the trail at Twin Springs.

Water emerging from under the trail at Twin Springs.

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