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HIKING
There is no better way to enjoy the beauty of the area than by exploring it first-hand and on foot. Whether you take a leisurely stroll or a strenuous hike, you'll experience the magnificence of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade ranges along an extensive system of trails. There are literally thousands of worthwhile excursions in Plumas County. The most accessible hiking areas are described below. Before you set out, pick up a free copy of the Plumas County Hiking Guide, which offers more details on the most popular hikes, including the trail length, difficulty and approximate hiking times. The guide is available at local visitor information centers. Two locally-authored guidebooks on area hiking trails also are available for sale. For other information on area hiking trails, contact the Plumas National Forest (530) 283-2050 or the Lassen National Forest (530) 258-2141. If you’re going on one of the more remote trails, it’s best to bring along a compass and a forest service map. Dogs are welcome (leash preferred) on all national forest trails. Within Plumas Eureka State Park, dogs are only allowed on the Grass Lake trail, and dogs are not allowed on trails in Lassen Volcanic National Park. About 80 miles of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail (PCT) stretch across Plumas County, with elevations ranging from 2,400 to 7,000 feet. This famous west coast trail, open to foot and horseback traffic only, encompasses a total of 2,650 miles, from Mexico to Canada. The Plumas County section can be accessed six miles west of Chester, at Belden in the Feather Tony Mindling
Tony Mindling
hiking Plumas
River Canyon, at Bucks Summit on Bucks Lake Road, off Big Creek Road near Bucks Lake, along the Quincy/La Porte Road, and in the Lakes Basin Recreation Area. The Almanor Basin offers a myriad of hiking opportunities, including the paved Lake Almanor Recreation Trail that follows the west shore of the lake. The Almanor area also is close to some magnificent hikes within Lassen Volcanic National Park and the nearby Caribou Wilderness Area. The Feather River Canyon affords hikers the opportunity to hike lower elevations near one of the most beautiful waterways in the state, as well as to marvel at many of man’s engineering feats. In the Bucks Lake Wilderness Area, one trail follows the lake while others take hikers to remote mountain lakes higher up. The Indian Valley area has self-guided nature walks, pleasant for families and seniors, including the Round Valley Lake Nature Walk near Greenville and the short hike to spectacular Indian Falls. Intermediate trails are located off the road to Antelope Lake, including a trail between Antelope and Taylor lakes. The Lakes Basin Recreation Area in the southeastern part of the county near Graeagle has 47 great trails, including a loop trail that leads past nine mountain lakes. Ambitious hikers can climb to the top of the Sierra Buttes, Mt. Elwell or Eureka Peak, while others may prefer a less strenuous stroll to Madora Lake, located within Plumas-Eureka State Park. Lake Davis Recreation Area north of Portola has a 5.1-mile hiking trail along the east shore of the lake that accesses the campgrounds, and work continues to expand the trail, with the ultimate goal being a loop around the entire lake.
Walk / Run Events June 23-24 - Relay For Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Feather River College Aug. 4 - Round Valley Lake Run & Walk . . . . . . . . .Round Valley Lake Aug. 25 - Making Strides Against Breast Cancer . . . . . .Lake Almanor Sept. 22 - Seymour Smith Run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Taylorsville Sept. 29 - Lost Sierra 50k Endurance Run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Graeagle Nov. 22 - Quincy Turkey Trot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Quincy
Whether you’re up for a leisurely stroll, or ready to tackle a high elevation hike, there’s miles of trails to explore on foot.
To join local trail making events, visit the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship at www.sierratrails.org.
2012 - 2013 PLUMAS COUNTY VISITORS GUIDE
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