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Mad River, California

Looking for the best hiking in Mad River? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Mad River. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near Mad River

  • Trinity Center, California

    Stuart Fork Trail to Emerald and Sapphire Lakes

    5.0
    27.06 mi / 4213 ft gain
    The trail begins just past the Trinity Alps Resort, a private collection of cabins near Weaverville, CA. Hikers wanting an early start can spend the night at the Bridge Camp Campground, located next to the trailhead. The path starts out wide and level, following an old road to the wilderness bou...
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  • Trinity Center, California

    Stuart Fork to Alpine Lake

    16 mi / 4265 ft gain
    Nestled in the heights of the Trinity Alps, this hike to Alpine Lake is not for the faint of heart. Before embarking on this adventure call the Weaverville Ranger station to check snow levels as well as the flow of the Stuart Fork River. If you are too early in the summer season the snowpack wi...
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  • Trinity Center, California

    Backpack Stuart Fork to Emerald and Sapphire Lake

    25 mi / 4448 ft gain
    The Stuart Fork to Emerald and Sapphire Lakes trail features many beautiful lakes, meadows, and an area that resembles a jungle. Dogs are able to use this trail. This trail can be done as a day hike, an overnight, or a three-day backpacking trip. If you choose to make it a three day, the meadows ...
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  • Whitethorn, California

    Jackass Creek via Lost Coast Trail

    23 mi / 8071 ft gain
    The Lost Coast is infamous. For its name alone draws visitors from around California and the world. A 26-mile stretch of coast, road less, with a wall like mountain range just yards from the ocean and beach. But with the Lost Coast being what it is, there is a lesser-known, yet equally stunning h...
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  • French Gulch, California

    Hike to Whiskeytown Falls in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

    2.8 mi / 787 ft gain
    Coming from Redding pass the visitor center and heading down highway 299. Make a left turn on Crystal Creek Road. Drive about 3.75 miles and on your left will be the Mills Creek Trailhead. Start hiking. You will start headed downhill towards the creek. You will cross Crystal Creek on a footbridge...
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  • French Gulch, California

    Hike to Crystal Creek Falls in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

    0.6 mi
    From Redding pass the visitor center on highway 299 and pass the lake. Make a left turn on to Crystal Creek Road. Follow this road for about 2 miles. There will be signs to make a left turn to Crystal Creek Falls. This is less of a hike and more of a walk. The trail is paved. It is less than a ha...
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  • Petrolia, California

    The Lost Coast: Mattole to Black Sands Beach

    4.8
    25.05 mi / 653 ft gain
    This is an absolutely stunning 25 mile thru-hike on the northern part of California's coast. To accomplish this hike, you'll either need to bring 2 cars or use a shuttle service. It's recommended that you drop one car at the Shelter Cove Trailhead (40.0455053,-124.0778196) and either use one of t...
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  • Whitethorn, California

    Camp at Usal Beach on the Lost Coast

    5.0
    Getting to Usal beach can be a little tricky, but it is well worth the effort. Usal Road (Mendocino Country Rd 431) is found 13 miles north of Westport or 14.5 miles southwest of Legget on Highway 1. The turn off is extremely easy to miss so it is recommended to use your odometer to gauge how clo...
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  • Forks of Salmon, California

    Grizzly Lake via China Gulch Trailhead

    4.4
    14.6 mi / 5112 ft gain
    Grizzly Lake is in the Trinity Alps Wilderness. The lake is know for its brilliant waterfall flowing from the lake's surface straight off the side of a cliff and roughly 600 feet down to the meadow below. Grizzly lake is located in some of America's most amazing and remote alpine wilderness, incl...
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  • Trinity Center, California

    Camp at Hayward Flat on Trinity Lake

    We drove all around Trinity Lake and this was the best campground we found! Located right on Trinity Lake you will find Hayward Flat Campground.  From Weaverville California you will follow highway 3 north about 20 miles. Then take a right on Hayward Flat road two miles. Boom, you are there.  The...
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  • Igo, California

    Hike to Brandy Creek Falls in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

    5.0
    3 mi / 500 ft gain
    My favorite hike in Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. From the visitor center you will take Kennedy Memorial Drive towards the dam, make a left at Brandy Creek Road. At a junction for Sheep camp/Shasta Bally make a left. You will arrive at the trailhead. This hike follows a beautiful stream t...
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  • Shasta County, California

    Hike Kanaka Peak

    4.5
    3.5 mi / 1100 ft gain
    Head to the Peltier Bridge Campground after entering Whiskeytown National Recreation Area and then go 1.1 miles along the road through the campground until you reach the trailhead for Kanaka Peak. The road from the campground is open from late spring to late fall, otherwise hikers will need to pa...
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  • Shasta County, California

    Hike to the top of South Fork Mountain

    5 mi / 4181 ft gain
    Starting from the Kanaka Peak Trailhead, follow the Kanaka Peak Trail all the way, continuing on past the Peltier Trail Junction and the Kanaka Cutoff Trail Junction until the trail begins to head east (about 2-2.5 miles from the trailhead) and there is a gently sloping hill on your right that is...
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