Fall is here in the mountains and the perfect time for hiking and the leaves are turning and the crowds are gone. A huge storm is looming so I figured I'd better get out and gets some miles on my boots.
Jamison Creek Trail head is located in Plumas National Forest, but the trailhead is located in Plumas-Eureka State Park and is part of an eighty miles trails system in the Lakes Basin. It's just outside of Graeagle and about a 20 minutes drive from where my trailer is parked.
The first 1/2 mile ascends over some huge steps that seem to never end and once the trail levels out you skirt the beautiful Grass Lake about another mile up the trail. The trail continues on towards Jamison Lake and eventually intersects with the Pacific Crest Trail in about 3 1/2 miles.
Look at all the red berries.
Just off the trail one can view Jamison Falls.
Grass lake
The Smith Lake Trail is another trail that forks off the Jamison Creek Trail. Fall or Spring is the best time to hike this as it is out in the open with an elevation gain of over 200 the first mile over very rocky terrain full of tree roots. Once you get to the top you traverse down to Smith Lake.
Looking down at Smith Lake
Tara and Hyde (Jason's dog) Enjoy cooling off in the clear water of Smith Lake.
Dispersed camping is allowed at Smith Lake, and there is even a bear box provided.
Views of Plumas National Forest and Mohawk Valley from the ridge above Smith Lake.
Camping is allowed at Smith Lake, Grass Lake, along with Wade and Jamison Lake in Lake Basin while camping is only permitted is designated camp sites at the other lakes in this area. Its a wonderful place for short overnight back packing. While hiking I encountered a very large group of back packers. All looked college age and were too clean to have been through hiking the PCT so I asked one of them where they had been. They had packed in about 3 1/2 miles near the PCT for the weekend. They were part of a Chico State course on how to back pack. Your tax dollars at work.
Nice looking hike and the right time of year for sure. Went up to the top of Mt Lemmon here last weekend with our neighbors and saw the fall colors. Hard to believe so close to us but the altitude makes up for it. Enjoy your fall. My mom is on the road to recovery and getting stronger every day.
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