Hiking
Whether you are an experienced hiker or a newbie, you are in for a treat when you hike in Eastern Plumas County. Between breath taking views, gorgeous scenery, you will keep coming back for more.
Area Trails
Frazier Falls Trail
Length: Half mile
Effort: Easy
Hike Time: Half hour (round-trip)
Directions: The trail head is located on Old Gold Lake Road, about five miles from the Highway 89/ Gold Lake Road intersection. About 1 3/4 miles up the present Gold Lake Road, take the signed, narrow paved access road on the left for about four miles to the trail head.
Red Fir Nature Trail
Length: Quarter mile
Effort: Easy
Hike Time: Fifteen Minutes (round-trip)
Directions: The trail head is located on the dirt road leading to Mills Peak Lookout. Look for a sign to Mills Peak located on the East Side of Gold Lake Road just south of Gold Lake. Continue your drive to the lookout for a fantastic view of the Mohawk Valley.
Mills Peak Lookout
Distance: 6 miles (one way) Effort: Moderate Average Ride Time: 2 hours Directions: From Highway 89 south of Graeagle, take the Gold Lake Highway to the junction of Mills Peak Road (County Roads 721/822). Park across from this intersection at the turnout. Hike 1.5 miles on County Road 721, then turn north on County Rd 822 for 4.5 miles to the lookout
Long Lake Trail
Length: Three-quarters to 2.75 miles
Effort: Moderate
Hike Time: Half hour to 1.5 hours
Directions: This trail takes off from either Lakes Basin Campground or Gray Eagle Lodge, both located off Gold Lake Road south of Graeagle. The Lakes Basin Campground is off Gold Lake Road about 6.5 miles from Highway 89, with paved roads leading to the trail heads. Head straight-ahead (avoid the side trails). The Gray Eagle Lodge turnoff is about 5 miles up Gold Lake Road from Highway 89: turn right and continue a bit over a quarter mile to the signed trail head turnoff. Parking is available. The trail climbs gradually nearly 3 miles past the Lily Lake Trail and Grassy Lake Trail intersection and Long Lake to the Mt. Elwell and Mud Lake Trails.
Round Lake Loop Trail
Length: 3.75 miles
Effort: Moderate
Hike Time: About 3 hours (one-way)
Directions: The trailhead is at the parking of Gold Lake Lodge off Gold Lake Road. Take Highway 89 just south of Graeagle to Gold Lake Road and travel south 7.5 miles to Gold Lake Lodge.
Eastern Plumas/Plumas Eureka State Park - Trails
Grass Lake/Little Jamison Creek Trail
Length: 3.8 miles
Effort: Moderate
Hike Time: About 3 hours (one-way)
Directions: The trail head is at the Jamison Mine. Travel up Johnsonville Road (A-14) off Highway 89 in Graeagle approximately 4.5 miles to the unimproved Jamison Mine Road. Look for a sign on the left that reads Jamison Mine/Grass Lake Trail. Continue 1.5 miles to the trail head and parking area. The trail climbs steadily 3.8 miles to the Pacific Crest Trail past Smith Lake, Grass Lake, Jamison Lake and Rock Lake trail junctions. Continue up Little Jamison Creek you will leave the park, passing a waterfall and the east shore of Grass Lake, elevation 5,842 feet.
Eureka Peak Loop Trail
Length: 3 miles
Effort: Moderate
Hike Time: About 3 hours (round trip)
Directions: Follow the dirt road from the Johnsville Ski Area parking lot (top of Johnsville Road.) The road, which ends at Eureka Lake about 1.5 miles up, is open to vehicles only Monday through Thursday. The trail head is located at the dam next to the parking area, which has restrooms. The trail divides to make a loop. Staying left, the trail winds to an ascent to the crest of the saddle between the false peak (left) and Eureka Peak (right).
Madora Lake Nature Walk
Length: 1.5 miles
Effort: Easy
Hike Time: About 1 hour (round trip) Directions: The trail head is located off Johnsville Road (Country Road A-14) about 3.5 miles west of Highway 89 at Graeagle. There is a signed turnoff into a paved parking area with picnic tables and restrooms.
For a great source book on hikes in this area, pick up a copy of Feather River Country Adventure Trails at various local locations or your favorite book store. Eastern Plumas Chamber of Commerce also has brochures on all hikes in the local area.
