This story appeared in InSideOut Magazine of Chico, Ca in May 2006.

Winter in the mountains can feel like it lasts forever, even well after the first official day of spring and warm temperatures in the North Valley. For Valley residents who are longing for mountain trails, it can seem like July before the mountains are free of snow. Hikers who are itching to get into the mountains can get their fix on dirt trails (rather than snow) well before July, if they know where to look.

Some of the earliest trails to melt out in the mountains north of Redding are on the south side of Castle Crags State Park (just off Interstate 5) and in choice nooks in the McCloud area. May offers bright, warm days when the trails dry out a bit, along with the chance of wet, rainy, muddy days. Come prepared for changing weather and keep an eye out for delicate wildflowers popping up along the trails.

The Pacific Crest Trail runs through Castle Crags State Park for 8 miles and continues on into the Castle Crags Wilderness Area, mostly on a south-facing slope that melts out early. You can access the PCT for short hikes or really stretch your legs and do some climbing. The Flume Trail lies outside the cluster of trails at the Park’s campground complex, along Forest Service road 25, which parallels Castle Creek. The trail traverses the southern slope of Castle Crags, gaining elevation to join the PCT. This 2.5-mile trail makes for a nice hike that can be turned into a loop by turning back towards the main part of the Park.

If you’re really looking to stretch your legs, hike Flume Trail to the PCT where you’ll enjoy creek crossings and waterfalls. The trail is fairly moderate until Burstarse Creek, about 1.5 miles from the trail junction with Dog Trail (mentioned below). Burstarse Falls is a series of stepping falls that have cut away topsoil, exposing the granite beneath. If the creek is low enough to cross, you can put in some climbing by heading up to North Branch Creek, gaining views of the Crags as you climb. This makes for a nice day hike, and should you continue beyond North Branch Creek the trail gains more than 2000 feet of elevation over the next few miles. Spring is a great time for an overnight backpacking trip on this section of the PCT, so long as the mountains to Seven Lakes Basin and Gumboot have melted out.

To shorten this hike and still reach Burstarse Falls, start at Dog Trail, which begins just outside of the Park boundary. Look for a Forest Service sign and park towards the left end of this old borrow pit. The trailhead is at the far left end and quickly gains elevation as it follows an old jeep trail. The climb to the PCT is just under a mile, and the level PCT gives your legs and lungs a chance to recover from the 500-foot climb from the trailhead. A left at the trail junction leads to Popcorn Springs and Burstarse Falls, while a right leads back into the State Park.

Additional spring hiking opens up around McCloud in low areas, while much of the higher trails are still snow-covered. The Squaw Valley Creek Trail, about nine miles south of McCloud, is one of the first places spring wildflowers bloom. The trail runs along boisterous Squaw Valley Creek, under a canopy of Douglas fir, Pacific yew, pine and cedar. Along the trail you’ll see blooming Dogwood trees, wild ginger and iris, wild rose and bleeding hearts. The easy five-mile trail with rolling hills provides an intimate acquaintance with the creek and its rumbling rapids and tumbling waterfalls.

The sun-dappled McCloud River Trail provides views of waterfalls, and it has the added bonus that you can ride your bike on this trail (bikes aren’t allowed on the PCT). The trail runs along the McCloud River and past both Lower and Middle McCloud Falls, which have scenic overlooks, developed sites and interpretive panels. The trail passes through the campground at Middle Falls, so you may have to ferret it out.

Should you turn this into a multi-day excursion, the towns of Dunsmuir and McCloud offer great dining and lodging options. Dunsmuir is known for its restaurants ­ from fabulous dinners at Café Maddalena and Sengthong’s to wonderful breakfast and lunch at Cornerstone Café. In McCloud you can lodge in historic buildings like the McCloud Hotel, Century House Inn and Stoney Brook Inn. To learn more about services in the area check out www.visitsiskiyou.org

For trail information call: McCloud Ranger District: 530-964-2184 for Squaw Valley Creek and McCloud River trails.

Castle Crags State Park: 530-235-2684 ­ call in advance as you may need to leave a message and wait for a ranger to return your call.