Popular Trails Located in the Cottonwood Creek Watershed
Hall City Cave Trail
This short loop passes the trailhead to Hall City Cave. The cave, set beneath a limestone cap, is reached by the easy graded dirt road and then a 0.3-mile hike. The trail starts in the small community of Wildwood, a couple miles north of California 36. The cave is well marked as far as the final turnoff; then all markers disappear. Take the side trail and proceed to a parking area for cave visitors. A vehicle trail continues past the parking area, but it is blocked by a closure gate. The hiking trail leads out the back of the informal parking area, runs alongside Hall City Creek for a short distance, and then crosses over the creek and switchbacks up the hill to the cave. If, after crossing the creek, you find yourself continuing along the creek instead of climbing up the hill, you have overshot the switchbacks.
Special Attractions: Hall City Cave; Harrison Gulch mining ruins close to the trail. High-clearance 4WDs are preferred, but any high-clearance vehicle is acceptable. Expect a rough road surface; mud and sand are possible but will be easily passable. You may encounter rocks up to 6 inches in diameter, a loose road surface, and shelf roads, though these will be wide enough for passing or will have adequate pull-offs.
The Backcountry Adventures Northern California Guide Book for Hall City Cave Trail is available to be downloaded here.
Special Attractions: Hall City Cave; Harrison Gulch mining ruins close to the trail. High-clearance 4WDs are preferred, but any high-clearance vehicle is acceptable. Expect a rough road surface; mud and sand are possible but will be easily passable. You may encounter rocks up to 6 inches in diameter, a loose road surface, and shelf roads, though these will be wide enough for passing or will have adequate pull-offs.
The Backcountry Adventures Northern California Guide Book for Hall City Cave Trail is available to be downloaded here.
Vestal and Pettyjohn Roads
This backcountry drive passes through some quiet, pretty scenery between the Sacramento Valley and the eastern side of the Coast Ranges. The route passes through ranchlands along county roads, first Vestal Road and then Pettyjohn Road. Because it is entirely on private lands, there are no camping, hunting, or other recreational opportunities. However, you can expect to see deer, quail, and other wildlife along the way, even a bobcat if you are lucky.
Special Attractions: Wildlife viewing—deer, quail, and bobcat; pretty winding road through the low rangeland east of Shasta- Trinity National Forests. High-clearance 4WDs are preferred, but any high-clearance vehicle is acceptable. Expect a rough road surface; mud and sand are possible but will be easily passable. You may encounter rocks up to 6 inches in diameter, a loose road surface, and shelf roads, though these will be wide enough for passing or will have adequate pull-offs.
The Backcountry Adventures Northern California Guide Book for Vestal and Pettyjohn Roads is available to be downloaded here.
Special Attractions: Wildlife viewing—deer, quail, and bobcat; pretty winding road through the low rangeland east of Shasta- Trinity National Forests. High-clearance 4WDs are preferred, but any high-clearance vehicle is acceptable. Expect a rough road surface; mud and sand are possible but will be easily passable. You may encounter rocks up to 6 inches in diameter, a loose road surface, and shelf roads, though these will be wide enough for passing or will have adequate pull-offs.
The Backcountry Adventures Northern California Guide Book for Vestal and Pettyjohn Roads is available to be downloaded here.
Knob Peak Trail
Although Knob Peak Fire Lookout is only a short distance from California 36, it seems a world away. In dry weather, passenger vehicles can generally reach the lookout. The lookout stopped operating in the 1990s and was restored by the forest service in 2002. It is now available for overnight rentals. Please respect the privacy of people who may be renting the lookout. There is a closure gate 0.2 miles short of the tower. If the gate is closed, it is only a short hike to the top. Panoramic views from the lookout include Mount Shasta to the north, Lassen Peak to the east, the Trinity Alps Wilderness to the northwest, and the Yolla Bolly Middle Eel Wilderness to the south.
Special Attractions: Excellent views from Knob Peak Fire Lookout; Easy shelf road suitable for all vehicles in dry weather. High-clearance 4WDs are preferred, but any high-clearance vehicle is acceptable. Expect a rough road surface; mud and sand are possible but will be easily passable. You may encounter rocks up to 6 inches in diameter, a loose road surface, and shelf roads, though these will be wide enough for passing or will have adequate pull-offs.
The Backcountry Adventures Northern California Guide Book for Knob Peak Trail is available to be downloaded here.
Special Attractions: Excellent views from Knob Peak Fire Lookout; Easy shelf road suitable for all vehicles in dry weather. High-clearance 4WDs are preferred, but any high-clearance vehicle is acceptable. Expect a rough road surface; mud and sand are possible but will be easily passable. You may encounter rocks up to 6 inches in diameter, a loose road surface, and shelf roads, though these will be wide enough for passing or will have adequate pull-offs.
The Backcountry Adventures Northern California Guide Book for Knob Peak Trail is available to be downloaded here.
Beegum Gorge Trail
Beegum Gorge Trail leads down a long shelf road that wraps around Beegum Gorge, to finish at a small, undeveloped USFS camping area along Beegum Creek. The first part of the road climbs the rise above Platinum Gulch through private property before entering BLM land. From here, the trail makes a steady descent along a shelf road, which has an adequate number of passing places. Lassen Peak can be seen through the gorge to the east. Beegum Peak, on the east side of the gorge, is made up of pocketed limestone that has some beehives.
Special Attractions: Remains of the Chrome Mine; Views into Beegum Gorge and camping along Beegum Creek. High-clearance 4WDs are preferred, but any high-clearance vehicle is acceptable. Expect a rough road surface; mud and sand are possible but will be easily passable. You may encounter rocks up to 6 inches in diameter, a loose road surface, and shelf roads, though these will be wide enough for passing or will have adequate pull-offs.
The Backcountry Adventures Northern California Guide Book for Beegum Gorge Trail is available to be downloaded here.
Special Attractions: Remains of the Chrome Mine; Views into Beegum Gorge and camping along Beegum Creek. High-clearance 4WDs are preferred, but any high-clearance vehicle is acceptable. Expect a rough road surface; mud and sand are possible but will be easily passable. You may encounter rocks up to 6 inches in diameter, a loose road surface, and shelf roads, though these will be wide enough for passing or will have adequate pull-offs.
The Backcountry Adventures Northern California Guide Book for Beegum Gorge Trail is available to be downloaded here.
