{"id":4542,"date":"2019-02-17T16:13:55","date_gmt":"2019-02-17T23:13:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/?p=4542"},"modified":"2023-03-03T13:07:02","modified_gmt":"2023-03-03T20:07:02","slug":"hiking-big-lake-horr-pond-tule-river-levee-trails","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/2019\/02\/17\/hiking-big-lake-horr-pond-tule-river-levee-trails\/","title":{"rendered":"Hiking Big Lake, Horr Pond, and the Tule River Levee Trails in Fall River Valley"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hiking the levee trails along Big Lake, Horr Pond, and the Tule River in the Fall River Valley near McArthur rewards you with views of Lassen Peak and Mount Shasta, plus an abundance of wildlife.<\/p>\n

\"Horr
Vista of Horr Pond and, from left to right, Lassen Peak, Thousand Lakes Wilderness, and Burney Mountain. (Photo by Garrett Costello<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hiking Big Lake, Horr Pond, and Tule River Trails: Key Data<\/h2>\n
\"Great
Great Egret: a resident bird at Big Lake and Horr Pond<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Distance: up to 8 miles round trip
\nDifficulty: Easy
\nType: Day hike
\nElevation gain: insignificant
\nHigh point: 3300 feet
\nSeason: year-round as weather conditions permit; hunting season runs from early October to mid-January
\nContact: Recreation Department, PG&E<\/a>
\nMaps: USGS 7.5′ Fall River Mills
\nBig Lake\/Horr Pond Trailhead GPS coordinates: N 41 06.002 W 121 24.729
\nNotes: pit toilet at trailhead<\/p>\n

Driving Directions to the Big Lake and Horr Pond Trailhead<\/h2>\n

Drive CA Highway 299 to the Fall River Valley and the small town of McArthur. Go north on Main Street past the fairgrounds to a dirt road. At 0.5 mile, go right and pass through a gate. The good gravel road continues north another 3.0 miles to the parking area at Rat Farm.<\/p>\n

\"Big
Big Lake, Horr Pond, and Tule River Levee hiking trail map: heart of the Fall River Valley in northeastern California<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Big Lake, Horr Pond, and Tule River: Birds, Birds, Birds!<\/h2>\n

This level levee walk features a full range of sensual delights: the smell and taste of fresh mountain air tinged with tangy juniper scent; the feel of the wind bringing cool water vapor to the cheek; the sound of Canada geese, mallards, and redtailed hawks calling out to each other and the world; the sight of volcanoes\u2014far and near, large and small\u2014ringing the Fall River Valley.<\/p>\n

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Best Day Hiking Trails in Upper California<\/h4>\n

\"Day<\/a>My<\/strong> compact guidebook has the 125 best day hikes:
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n