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Piety Hill Loop Trail Hike: Perfect in Spring!

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Early spring is the perfect time to explore the Piety Hill Loop Trail system above Clear Creek west of Redding. I hiked there in the second week of April 2025 on a sunny day with temps in the low 70s.

Note: this is Hike 6 in my guidebook Day Hiking: Mount Shasta, Lassen & Trinity Alps Regions.

Blue lupine, grassy hillside, and blue oaks, with gray pines on the far side of the seasonal stream.
Blue lupine, grassy hillside, and blue oaks, with gray pines on the far side of the seasonal stream.

Piety Hill Loop Trail System: Key Highlights

First off, mid-March to mid-April is optimal for hiking Piety Hill: foothill flowers in full bloom, profuse green grasses, seasonal creeks flowing strongly.

Wildflowers: can’t be overemphasized just how profuse the flower bloom is in 2025 after our wet winter. All the usual suspects in profusion.

Birds: many species, of course, with acorn woodpeckers the most prominent, especially vocally. Also lots of turkey vultures.

Vistas: in all directions, except to the north. Lassen Peak and other Cascades to the east, along with the northern Sierra Nevada. Foothills giving way to the Sacramento Valley due south. Coast Range to the west, snowy in April.

Very little wildfire evidence: yes, the 2o18 Carr Fire did burn here, but most of the trees and shrubs look great.

Best Day Hiking Trails in Upper California

Day Hiking Mount Shasta, Lassen & Trinity Alps Regions. Includes trails in other regions of Northern California: Castle Crags, Russian Wilderness, Marble Mountain Wilderness, Lava Beds National Monument, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, Lassen National Forest, and the Redding area.My compact guidebook has the 125 best day hikes:

  • Mount Shasta and nearby
  • Lassen Volcanic National Park
  • Trinity Alps and Marble Mountains
  • Redding area
  • Whiskeytown and Shasta Lakes

Includes trailhead directions and detailed maps and trail descriptions

Buy it: on Amazon | on Bookshop.org
Often available at bookstores and outdoor stores (call first!)

Piety Hill Loop Trail System: Photos

I provide more details in the captions.

Typical foothill scenery along the Piety Hill Loop Trail: lupines and blue oaks.
Typical foothill scenery along the Piety Hill Loop Trail: lupines and blue oaks.
Clear Creek from the short lookout spur trail off the Piety Hill Loop Trail. Make sure you hike this spur: the view is fantastic. There's also a metal picnic table.
Clear Creek from the short lookout spur trail off the Piety Hill Loop Trail. Make sure you hike this spur: the view is fantastic. There’s also a metal picnic table.
Clear Creek flowing strong, with a small waterfall, as seen from the Lookout off the main Piety Hill Loop Trail. This vista is just a couple hundred yards off the main trail.
Clear Creek flowing strong, with a small waterfall, as seen from the Lookout off the main Piety Hill Loop Trail. This vista is just a couple hundred yards off the main trail.
Seasonal stream below Piety Hill. This will likely dry up by mid-May.
Seasonal stream below Piety Hill. This will likely dry up by mid-May.
Seasonal stream along with the typical foothill vegetation of the hills west of Redding.
Seasonal stream along with the typical foothill vegetation of the hills west of Redding.
Vista east from the Piety Hill Loop Trail: California poppies and blue lupines, with cloud-shrouded Lassen Peak, the southern Cascades, and the northern Sierra Nevada.
Vista east from the Piety Hill Loop Trail: California poppies and blue lupines, with cloud-shrouded Lassen Peak, the southern Cascades, and the northern Sierra Nevada.
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Related Posts:

My books Day Hiking: Mount Shasta, Lassen & Trinity Alps Regions, Hike the Parks: Redwood National & State Parks, and 100 Classic Hikes: Northern California include all the best hikes in Northern California.

Click the covers to see the books on Amazon

Day Hiking Mount Shasta, Lassen & Trinity Alps Regions. Includes trails in other regions of Northern California: Castle Crags, Russian Wilderness, Marble Mountain Wilderness, Lava Beds National Monument, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, Lassen National Forest, and the Redding area.

100 Classic Hikes in Northern California covers the best hiking trails in the Trinity Alps, Lassen Volcanic National Park, the Sierra Nevada, the redwood coast, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Includes numerous day hikes along with major backpacking trips.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Hiking Redwood National & State Parks

Hike peaceful redwood groves and rugged coastline: more info.

Day Hiking: Mount Shasta, Lassen & Trinity Alps

Day Hiking Mount Shasta, Lassen & Trinity Alps Regions. Includes trails in other regions of Northern California: Castle Crags, Russian Wilderness, Marble Mountain Wilderness, Lava Beds National Monument, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, Lassen National Forest, and the Redding area.

All my favorite hikes in my home territory! Details here.

100 Classic Hikes: Northern California

Check out the new fourth edition of 100 Classic Hikes in Northern California. Completely updated!