7.5 hr
Overview
Starting from the Spanish Creek Trailhead, climb up Spanish Traverse Trail. The grade is steep at the beginning, and there are a few kicker switchbacks, but it mellows out and you'll traverse along the south edge of Spanish Ridge. Cross both intersections with the Spanish Ridge Trail (you'll get to ride them at the end of the ride, if you follow this route). A ride through the Oaks and Ponderosas will lead you to one of the big intersections on the ride. It is well marked; Spanish Ridge ends when it runs into Cascade Trail. Take a right to descend towards Spanish Creek on Cascade Trail II. You'll be returning to this intersection to finish up the ride, so you'll get to check out the other trails too!<br><br>Take a right, and descend on Cascade Trail. The first part follows an old 4x4 trail, and is pretty fast and open, but the lower half of the trail turns into loose rocks (mostly shale and slate) that are really fun to navigate, but good to check your speed. There are a few switchbacks that will sneak up on you if you aren't aware.<br><br>Once you make it onto Cascade Trail II, it is a fun and fast creekside trail that has a few rocky sections but has a really nice grade. A great place to stop is when you reach the Cascades themselves (you'll know them because there are a couple of bridges along the trail), there is a great swimming hole and it is a great place to see how the creek is eroding through the slate. Along the way, you'll pass multiple former prospecting pits and even an old mineshaft on your left (downstream of the cascades). There is a lot of history in this part of the trail; if you were to choose to, you might find the remains of one of the old Plumas County speakeasies that popped up during Prohibition! <br><br>Continue on the trail and you'll reach the trailhead. From here, you'll be on the access road with minimal traffic, also known as the Old Highway. A short climb will have you overlooking the new highway (70), and you'll follow the road down. Just before you reach the stop sign
Trail Stats
25.0 km
747 m
1262 m
978 m
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Photos
Ponderosa pine, manzanita, and oak is the main type of vegetation cover. Pretty thin, so it doesn't provide a lot of shade in the middle of the summer!
Ponderosa pine, manzanita, and oak is the main type of vegetation cover. Pretty thin, so it doesn't provide a lot of shade in the middle of the summer!
A view of the trail's namesake
A view of the trail's namesake
The view from Monument Peak
The view from Monument Peak
Looking south into the American Valley, views like these will surprise you at many turns!
Looking south into the American Valley, views like these will surprise you at many turns!