Chapman Creek Trail 13E03, west of Yuba Pass, California

Chapman Creek Trail

The Chapman Creek Trail is a 2.6-mile-long, forested hiking trail (dogs allowed) beginning at the Chapman Creek Campground and ending at a forest road in the east section of the Graeagle & Sierra City area of the Tahoe National Forest, California [1,2]. The trail follows Chapman Creek uphill to Forest Road 09-13. From there, one may continue all the way to Haskell Peak. Unfortunately, on my August-2026 visit, I was not able to find any encouraging signs along the dirt road near the end of Chapman Creek Trail.

Chapman Creek Trail 13E03

Chapman Creek Trail follows the stream it's named for. This single-track trail is well-maintained. I assume, the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship would be the right address to send kind words of appreciation, since they are mentioned on the trailhead sign at the camp ground. 

The trail crosses a few small tributaries—typically with gentle, trickling water during late summer. Near the upper end (Chapman Creek Trail/dirt road junction), I happened to find a wooden trail sign with mossy ornamentation, blending in with the conifers, yet clearly stating: Chapman Creek Trail 13E03. I wasn't lost (yet).

Continuing (left-turn) along the dirt road, I came to an old road bridge. Walking over it, I turned onto the single-track trail on the right: a short, zigzagging trail ending uphill at a dirt road. Maybe this was just a short-cut taking me to a higher-up section of the road I was already on? 

No other hikers, no bikers, and—as mentioned above—no directional signs or location markers. I need to come back to explore this trail-road network further. Every map of this area points out different sites. Time to assemble the trail puzzle.  

Creek view from old bridge

Getting there

The Chapman Creek Campground is located roughly half-way between Yuba Pass and Bassetts along Highway 49. Turn right at the campground sign. Then, turn left and find parking. The trailhead is next to campsite 16. 

Chapman Creek Trail is open for non-motorized recreation, including hiking, running, and mountain biking.

My overall difficulty rating of the trail: easy-to-moderate (easy to follow, moderately inclined).

References and further reading

[1] Chapman Creek Trail. USDA Forest Servive.  URL: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/tahoe/recreation/trails/chapman-creek-trail.

[2] Mike White: Afoot & Afield. Wilderness Press, Berkely, CA, 2nd printing November 2008;  Trip 22, pp. 53-54.

From the Wild Plum Trailhead to the Haypress Creek and Milton Creek footbridges

Majestic Sierra Buttes, seen from the Wild Plum PCT Connector Trail. The Sierra Buttes fire lookout on top of the rugged mountain is accessible via the Sierra Buttes Lookout Trail.

Trails, trails, trails

The Wild Plum Trailhead east of Sierra City in California is your gateway to the Wild Plum Loop, the Haypress Creek Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) [1-4]. I recently hiked from this trailhead to the three footbridges. This makes for a seven-mile-long hike (out-and-back)—all the way to the southern most of the three footbridges plus return. The trail sections include [1]:

1. Wild Plum PCT Acess Trail: 0.9 miles
2. Access Trail/PCT junction to first footbridge: 0.4 miles
3. PCT between first and second footbridge: 1.4 miles
4. PCT between second and third footbridge: 0.8 miles

Keep your hands off!

You will mainly hike through a mixed forest of pines, firs, cedars, and oak trees. The first two sections (1.3 miles) are part of the Wild Plum Loop trail. The 2.2-mile-long trail from the first to the third footbridge leads you along the west side and east side of  Milton Creek—occasionally close to the cold stream, but mostly above and away from the steep banks: this PCT section is not a crest, but a canyon trail. 

In certain years you can come here for hiking even in December—no snow shoes required. For example, Charlie Pankey describes his December 2023 experience around the Wild Plum Loop in an informative and inspiring post [3]. For a seasonl change, here I am sharing some impression and snapshots of my summer hike on a hot day at the end of July 2026. 

Starting out from the Wild Plum Trailhead along Haypress Creek, the trail passes the historic Wild Plum Guard Station, which dates back to 1908 [5]. This was an administrative site of the Tahoe National Forest's Ranger District. It was abandoned in the early 1980s. A sign posted at the door of one structure tells you to keep your hands off and stay out: “Property of  THE UNITED STATES. All persons are prohibited under penalty of the Law from committing trespass.” 

Access Trail/PCT junction

Continuing on, you will ascend—switchback by switchback—to the PCT. Here, you will pass a few narrow forest openings that provide excellent views of the south-facing slopes and cliff faces of the Sierra Buttes. At the PCT junction, turn right. The Wild Plum Loop - PCT sign has seen better times and may easily be overlooked.  But you know you have to go south to to get to the first footbridge, which crosses Haypress Creek. Immediately beyond the bridge is a trail junction If you are doing the Wild Plum Loop, turn right to loop back downhill to the Wild Plum Campground and the starting point. 

Here, I continue by following the PCT south toward the two Milton Creek footbridges. After a short ascend, the PCT intersects a dirt road. For about two miles, the shady single-track trail roughly parallels Milton Creek, here and there veering toward and away from the stream. 

First footbridge: PCT crossing of Haypress Creek

Haypress Creek with streamside Indian Rhubarb

Milton Creek is a woodland mountain stream. It is a tributary of Haypress Creek. Both streams sit within the Yuba River watershed. 

During summer, wherever you can get a glimpse of the stream, the chances are high that you will spot umbrella plants, also known as Indian Rhubarb (Darmera peltata).  The leaves (umbrellas) are typically 20 to 24 in (50 to 60 cm) long and wide.

The flowers emerge in spring before the leaves take over in summer [6]:

With its luxuriant foliage, this plant, usually anchored firmly among water-washed rocks, can give a verdant, almost tropical aspect to mountain streams. The peltate leafstalk (attaching near the middle of the blade) is an important identification feature and gave the genus it former name, Peltiphyllum.

The dark-green, shield-shaped leaves are deeply lobed, coarsely-toothed, and conspiciously veined. They turn orange or red in fall. 

Peltate Indian Rhubarb (Darmera peltata) leaves at Milton Creek

I definitely have to come here in spring to see the white-pink flowers, and also in autumn when the leaves are turning red [7-9].  

The area around the second PCT footbridge is a perfect place to have a rest and to explore umbrella plants close-up.

Second footbridge: a peaceful place to rest

Moss-covered rock wall near second footbridge

On my way to the third footbridge I came across Sierra gooseberry plants (Ribes roezlii). This North American species is native to mountain ranges of California, western Nevada and Oregon. There are many varieties [10].  The Sierra gooseberry is a spiny shrub. Its ripe, purple-red fruits have stiff, long spines.   

Sierra gooseberries (almost ripe at the End of July 2026)

The ripe, juicy berries look delicious and are edible. However, harvesting the berries and removing its prickles needs some experience [10,11].

The next section of the PCT from the third footbridge south to the Bear Valley and Jackson Meadows Reservoir area has a distance of over five miles. I continued on for about another mile before I turned around to hike back to Wild Plum.

PCT south of third footbridge

Getting to the Wild Plum Trailhead

Get to Sierra City, a small, historic Gold Rush mountain town in —what a surprise—Sierra County in the Sierra Nevada, California. On State Route 49, at the east end of town, turn east onto Wild Plum Road. Follow this road, take the one lane bridge over the North Yuba River, and continue for about one mile to the Wild Plum Trailhead next to Haypress Creek. The trailhead has running water and a few picnic tables between trees.

References and further reading

[1] Pacific Crest Trail - Sierra Nevada North - Sierra Buttes to Devils Postpile. Trails-illustrated topographic map guide. National Geographic Partners, LLC, 2019.

[2] Wild Plum Trailhead. Pacific Crest Trail Association. URL: https://explore.pcta.org/trailheads/wild-plum-trailhead.

[3] Charlie Pankey: A day trip to Sierra City and the Wild Plum Loop trail experience. Sierra Rec, December 22, 2023. URL: https://sierrarecmagazine.com/still-hiking-in-sierra-city/.

[4] Trip 20 “Wild Plum Loop” on pages 50 and 51 in Mike White's hiking guide “Afoot & Afield” (Wilderness Press, Berkeley, California, 2nd printing November 2008). 

[5] Volunteers to restore historic Wild Plum Guard Station, Tahoe National Forest. Sierra Booster, 4/24/2017 . URL: https://www.sierrabooster.com/latest-news/volunteers-to-restore-historic-wild-plum-guard-station-tahoe-national-forest.

[6] Richard Spellenberg: North American Wildflowers - Western Region. Alfred A. Knopf, New York,  Chanticleer Press Edition 2001; Umbrella Plant: page 740.

[7] Michael Beatley: Waking Up in Plumas County. California Fall Color. September 2023. URL: https://californiafallcolor.com/2023/09/23/waking-up-in-plumas-county/. 

[8] Michael Beatley: Indian Rhubarb - Darmera. California Fall Color. October 2018. URL: https://californiafallcolor.com/2018/10/20/indian-rhubarb-darmera/.

[9] Sharon Roberts: Indian Rhubarb Begins Its Firey-Orange Show. California Fall Color. September 2016. URL: https://californiafallcolor.com/2016/09/25/indian-rhubarb-begins-its-firey-orange-show/

[10]  Hank Shaw: Foraging for gooseberries. Hunter - Angler - Gardener - Cook website, November 2020. URL: https://honest-food.net/wild-gooseberries-edible/.

[11] Sierra gooseberry (Ribes roezlii). Clean Mountain Kitchen, April 11, 2020. URL: https://www.cleanmountainkitchen.com/post/sierra-gooseberry-ribes-roezlii.

The California Coastal Trail at Carmel-By-The-Sea

Carmel Beach

The California Coastal Trail (CCT) is a network of public trails along the 1200-mile coastline of Alta California—border-to-border between Oregon and Baha California [1]. The interconnected trail system has not yet been fully completed. Presently, it offers recreational access to sandy beaches, hidden coves and rugged bluffs at many coastal hot spots as well as peaceful retreats.  

Carmel-By-The-Sea in Central California definitely is a coastal hot spot; attracting both, human recreationists and marine life offshore. Here, you can walk along the iconic white-sand beach, wade the surfline, or stroll on bluff and dune walkways. The bluff-top pathway follows the coastline. Stairways connect the bluffs to the beach [2-4].

At the beach overlook platform (located above Carmel Sunset Beach at the end of Ocean Ave) you can watch scenic Carmel Bay—sweeping your view from the northside Pebble Beach Hole 7 (bring a spyglass) to the Point Lobos peninsula in the south. 

Beach & bay overlook platform 

The dunes north of the platform are classified as an environmentally sensitive habitat, home to endangered species. Dune restoration began in 2009 “to correct a century of human disturbance which has greatly altered the state natural state of the dunes” (see the “Carmel North Dunes” panel). The panel further says that under supervision of a dunes restoration biologist a self-sustaining natural dunes ecosystem with thriving populations of native species was recreated. Invasive non-native plant were eliminated.

The original dune scrub included low plant and shrubs adapted to fog, shifting sands, wind and salt. A larger forest once edged the area with trees such as Monterey cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) and Monterey pine (Pinus radiata) —“Carmel North Dunes” panel.

Now it's up to you to find out what is left of the botanical heritage and how shifting times and shifting sands reshape our surroundings. 

North dunes area with old trees and young ball players

Map

California Coastal Trail @ Carmel Beach. MapQuest: https://www.mapquest.com/us/california/california-coastal-trail--carmel-beach-651299659.

Continue exploring

[1] Welcome to the California Coastal Trail. URL: https://californiacoastaltrail.org/.

[2] Carmel Beach, Carmel (must see). GPSmyCity. URL: https://www.gpsmycity.com/attractions/carmel-beach-40440.html.

[3] North Dunes. City of Carmel-By-The-Sea. URL: https://ci.carmel.ca.us/post/north-dunes.

[4] Exploring California's Marine Protected Areas: Carmel Bay State Marine Conservation Area. Marine Management News. URL: https://cdfwmarine.wordpress.com/2021/04/02/exploring-californias-marine-protected-areas-carmel-bay-state-marine-conservation-area/.

Exploring a sandy beach at Garrapata State Park

Rocks, waves and white foam at Garrapata Beach

Garrapata State Park in California has a four-mile-long waterfront. This coastal stretch along the northern Big Sur coastline has exciting locations for beach walking, bluff hiking, tide-pool adventuring and cove-secluded, clothing-optional sunbathing—as wave and tide conditions allow. At the south end of the park you find the park's only sandy beach, called Garrapata Beach [1].

The Doud Creek mouth at Garrapata Beach—where Calla Lily Valley begins 

Various hiking trails connect beaches, coves, amazing viewpoints along the bluffs, and inland areas. During late winter and early spring, nearby Calla Lily Valley is worth the short hike if you are interested to see how a non-native flowering plant (botanically not a lily) is doing amidst natives. You may be surprised to see how beach-goers and tourists, during peak hours, invade the space of an invasive plant.  

The sandy beach features tide-zone rocks, breaking waves, rough and exposed naked rocks as well as lower algae- and mussel-covered outcrops. The sand of the intertidal zone is continually shifting with storms and currents. Come back some years later and you will discover a changed pattern of differently exposed or now sand-buried rocks.

Often, impressive breaking waves can be seen from the bluffs—and, with due respect, from near the surf. The drama of high-energy shorebreak gets topped by the surrounding coastal geology which includes granitic rock outcrops of the Salinian Block and, according to geology teacher Garry Hayes, “displaced terrane of Sierra Nevada rocks that now forms a mountain range sloping directly into the sea.” [2].    

Garrapata Beach seen from the edge of the coastal terrace

Getting to Garrapata Beach and Calla Lily Valley

Garrapata Beach Trailhead

Garrapata Beach is located about ten miles south of Carmel-by-the-Sea. At the Garrapata Beach trailhead just south of Doud Creek, look out for available, free-parking roadside space. This trailhead is also the nearest access point for Calla Lily Valley.        

On the way to the beach, you will see multiple warning sign before taking the final steps down the stairs to the sand beach. The signs are telling you to expect life-threatening waves and strong currents as well as dangerous shorebreaks. These dangers depend on weather conditions, whether you experience flood or ebb current, and also on phenomena you can't directly see because they results from events hidden under water out at sea.

Garrapata sand beach with standing water and Pacific Ocean

References and more to explore

[1] Garrapata Beach at Garrapata Beach at Garrapata State Park. CaliforniaBeaches. URL: https://www.californiabeaches.com/beach/garrapata-state-park-garrapata-beach/.

[2] Garry Hayes: Where the Sierra Nevada Rises From the Sea: The Granitic Rocks of Garrapata State Park. Geotripper - News and views from the geologic realm. URL: https://geotripper.blogspot.com/2013/11/where-sierra-nevada-rises-from-sea_19.html.

Calla Lily Valley off Highway 1 next to Garrapata Beach

Calla Lily Valley with calla lilies on both sides of Doud Creek (April 3, 2026)

Calla lilies are native to southern Africa. They were introduced to North America in the 19th century. Calla lilies do well along the California Coast—for example, in a valley in the Garrapata State Park north of Point Sur. 

A short hike from Highway 1 along a trail through bluff scrub gets you into Doud Creek. Not far from where the creek flows into the Pacific Ocean at Garrapata Beach, you will find dense pockets of calla lilies. If you step out of the canyon onto the north-side bluffs, you will leave the calla lilies behind, finding coastal natives of California.  

Calla lily flower: pure white spathe and yellow spadix

Calla lilies (Zantedeschia aethiopica), also known as arum lilies, are not real lilies. They belong to the arum family (Araceae family), while real lilies are grouped into the Liliaceae family. Calla lilies grow from rhizomes rather than bulbs [1,2]. 

Z. aethiopica  is a flowering plant—a popular ornamental plant around the world. It is considered an invasive species—in California, as well as in coastal areas of Australia and between the Iberian Peninsula and Ireland. The flowers often form dense stands and threaten native wetland species [3]. Since Z. aethiopica reproduces through seed dispersal by birds, the species is considered a fast-growing plant in California, invasive to riparian areas. Therefore, some state parks work on their removal.  

Calla lily flowers with arrow-shaped dark-green leaves

The eccentric, sculptural form of calla lilies has long inspired artists, notably Georgia O'Keefe and Diego Rivera. Georgia O'Keefe (1887-1986) is probably the best known artist adopting the calla lily as a subject. 

Garrapata State Park brochure

https://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/579/files/garrapata.pdf

References and further reading

[1] Zantedeschia aethiopica. Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zantedeschia_aethiopica.

[2]  Singh, Y, van Wyk, A.E. and Baijnath, H. Floral biology of Zantedeschia aethiopica (L.) Spreng. (Araceae). South African Journal of Botany 1996, 62 (3), 146-150.  Elsevier: www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0254629915306141.

[3] Allan B. (contributor). Zantedeschia aethiopica Scorecard. Invasive Species List of California, UC Davis (Last Updated on April 02, 2023; accessed on April 12, 2026): calinvasives.ucdavis.edu/scorecard/zantedeschia-aethiopica-scorecard. 

Chaw'se: Indian mortar cups at large grinding rock

Outcropping of marbleized limestone: mortar holes in which Miwok people and their ancestors processed acorns—the mainstay of the Miwok diet   

The Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park—known as CHAW-SE, with respect to the Miwok language—is a California State Park in Amador County. This park in the Sierra Nevada foothills features a reconstructed Miwok village, a large limestone grinding rock, a museum with a variety of exhibits, and hiking trails. Once, the Northern Sierra Miwok settled in this area [1-3].

The park panel that welcomes visitors to Chaw-se  (also written Chaw'se or Chaw sé) tells you that this Miwok word for “mortar cup” is pronounced Cha-sa. The panel continues: 

For thousands of years our people, the Northern Sierra Miwok, have cherished this landscape. It is home to our ancestors, to the thriving native community today, and to our children's future. This is a special place where the spirit of our traditions, dance, and rich culture live on.

The preserved grinding rock is the largest in North America. It has over one thousand mortar holes [1]. The picture above shows four. Also, petroglyphs have been found at the rock. A panel with the unsurprising title “Chaw'se” explains:

Although the meaning of the petroglyphs cannot be fully explained. they do suggest that this was a powerful and important place, a place where many generations worked together on this Chaw'se, pounding acorns and seeds into meal.

The panel continues:

Our Chaw'se is not simply stone. In our culture, we view the rock as living thing. It embodies the seasons that have passed upon it, and it has felt the slow grinding of its surface by women's hands and their stone pestles over hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of years. 

Not very far from the grinding rock, you get the chance to explore a Native American ceremonial roundhouse—a reconstruction and a California Registered Historical Landmark (No. 1001).

Chaw-se Roundhouse

The Chaw sé Roundhouse plaque says:

In a village, the roundhouse served as the center of ceremonial and social life. Constructed in 1974, the Chaw Sé Roundhouse continues this tradition. With its door facing the east, towards the rising sun, four large oaks are the focal point of this sixty foot in diameter structure. Today, ceremonial roundhouses are the most significant architectural manifestations of the continuing Miwok Spiritual Heritage. 

While exploring Miwok culture, don't miss the metal statue of a Miwok dancer near the Chaw'se Regional Indian Museum.

Sculpture dedicated to the First People of California by J. L. Plamondon

Getting there

The Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park is located twelve miles east of Jackson, California. 

Address: 14881 Pine Grove-Volcano Road, Pine Grove, CA.

From Jackson, drive east on State Highway 88 East to the town of Pine Grove. Turn left on Pine Grove-Volcano Road. Find the park to your left after approximately 1.5 miles: the first left-side entrance gets you to the campground. The main entrance is the second left with access of the parking area next to the museum. 

The main hiking trails in the park are the North Trail and the South Nature Trail. The North Trail starts at the Museum parking lot. It runs parallel to the Pine Grove-Volcano Rd in northeast direction and bends west after passing the land of a Historic Farm House. Eventually, North Trail turns southward, crosses Else Creek and meets the South Nature Trail in the reconstructed Miwok village. Both trails traverse forests and remain well shaded in most sections.

South Nature Loop Trail

“Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park” References

[1] Brochure with park map: www.parks.ca.gov/pages/553/files/IndianGrindingRockFinalWebLayout020917.pdf.

[2] Visit Amador - Amador Council of Tourism: www.visitamador.com/business/chawse-indian-grinding-rock-state-historic-park.

[3] Sierra Nevada Geotourism, developed in association with National Geographic: sierranevadageotourism.org/entries/indian-grinding-rock-state-historic-park/bd682892-6b8c-4d00-b860-d6c21e2992fa.

Open meadow in Indian Grinding Rock State Park, nestled in a small valley 2,400 feet (731.5 meter) above sea level

Bald Mountain Trail in the Sierra Azul

Bald Mountain Trail, a short and popular trail in the Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve near San Jose, California

The Bald Mountain Trail is a 1.4-mile out-and-back trail in California's Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve offering expansive views of steep chaparall and woodland, the prominent "sugar-cube" mountain peak called Mount Umunhum (Mt. Um), Almaden Valley, and the Diablo Range.

The trail ends into a small loop around the summit of Bald Mountain, which can easily be reached without any climbing challenges. Bald Mountain is a grassy knoll from where you can enjoy panoramic views of the South Bay and Santa Cruz Mountains [1-3].  

Bald Mountain, a grassy knoll and vista point

Open year-round, the Bald Mountain Trail is a walking, hiking and birding trail; exposed to sunshine on a clear day. Sorry—no dogs allowed. In the open sky, you may spot turkey vultures, red-tailed hawks, and Cooper's Hawks [4]. Coming out of the chaparral, you will recognize bird sounds:

The dominant bird voices of the chaparral include the loud squawks of California Scrub-Jay, the complex songs of California Thrashers, the dribble of Wrentits, the buzzing of Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, the loud melody of Bewick's Wren and the flute-like warbling song of a Purple Finch. Non-singing Spotted Towhee, California Towhee and California Quail will be rustling about in the leaf litter and branches nearby. Many of these birds are skulkers and hard to spot in the tangle of chaparral, but just stand still and listen. The birds will soon adapt to your presence and expose themselves.  —  Edward Rooks [4]

View of Mt. Um with "sugar cube" 

Hike this trail with patience during the "right time", and you can enjoy solitude embellished by bird songs. 

Getting to the Bald Mountain Trailhead

The trailhead is accessible from the Bald Mountain parking area off Mt. Umunhum Road. Driving uphill to Mt. Um summit, watch out for the PARKING AREAS sign at "18200 Mt Umunhum Rd" (3.5 miles away from the summit parking area). Turn left to BALD MOUNTAIN. This is a popular spot. So, the early bird finds a vacant lot.

References and further reading

[1] Bald Mountain Trail, Sierra Open Space Preserve, Midpeninsula regional Open Space District, Santa Clara County. bahiker. URL: https://bahiker.com/southbayhikes/sierraazul/sierraazul.html.

[2] McCannster. Bald Mountain. Summitpost. URL: https://www.summitpost.org/bald-mountain/154539.

[3] Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve: Bald Mountain and Mt Umunhum Area. Trailhiker, May 6, 2015. URL: https://trailhiker.wordpress.com/2015/05/06/sierra-azul-open-space-preserve-bald-mountain-and-mt-umunhum-area/ .

[4] Edward Rooks. Bald Mountain Trail and Mt. Umunhum Trail in Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve (Spring). Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance, May 1, 2021. URL: https://scvbirdalliance.org/self-guided-birding/bald-mountain-spring#:~:text=As%20you%20leave%20the%20relatively,Turkey%20Vulture%2C%20Red%2Dtailed%20Hawk%20and.