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Snow Mountain Summits Key Data<\/h2>\n
Length: 8.0 miles round-trip Reach the town of Stonyford by exiting Interstate 5 at either Maxwell or Willows. Take Forest Road M-10 (18N01), which is initially called Fouts Springs Road, and follow signs for Snow Mountain and Summit Springs. After 24 miles turn right at a \u201cTrailhead 1\u201d sign for the final, steep 1.4 miles to the Summit Springs trailhead parking area.<\/p>\n The trip to the twin summits of Snow Mountain offers scenery that includes serene forests of pine and fir, a psychedelic assortment of multihued rocks, and sweeping vistas of mountains and valleys stretching to the far horizons, a vista that includes the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument<\/a>, created in 2015.<\/p>\n The path begins in a small forest of Jeffrey pine and white fir and quickly enters open areas created by a huge wildfire<\/a> in 1987. As you climb over the next mile, note the variety of shrubs and other plants that have begun a long process of succession, which should eventually restore much of this area to forest.<\/p>\n Includes trailhead directions and detailed maps and trail descriptions<\/p>\n Buy it:<\/strong> on Amazon<\/a> | on Bookshop.org<\/a><\/p>\n Often available at Barnes & Noble, REI, and other quality bookstores<\/strong> and outdoor stores <\/strong>(call first!)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Go left at a trail fork at 0.7 mile, and then cross two small, seasonal creeks at 1.0 mile. Next, switchback uphill to a ridge at 1.5 miles. Look to the right for High Rock, about 300 yards east of the trail; it offers expansive westward, southward, and eastward views similar to those of the destination summits, lacking only a northward vista.<\/p>\n The path now climbs along the ridge, passing through a forest of Jeffrey pine and red and white fir. Ignore the other faint trails that disappear into the trees. Continue to Cedar Camp at 1.9 miles, which has a green meadow, an excellent campsite beside a small pond, and no cedars. Bear right here at a trail fork.<\/p>\n After a steady ascent through the forest, substantial parts heavily damaged by past wildfire, enter the open, glaciated basin below Snow Mountain\u2019s summits. Climb steadily 0.7 mile to the saddle between the two summits, and then turn left at a three-way trail junction.<\/p>\n After a brief climb, reach the 7,038-foot summit of Snow Mountain West. From here, you have northward views of Mount Linn, Mount Shasta, and the Klamath Mountains; eastward views of Stony Creek Gorge, the Sacramento Valley<\/a>, Sutter Buttes, the Cascades, and the Sierra Nevada; and southward and westward views of endless chains of Coast Range ridges and peaks. Be sure to look at the odd assortment of green, gray, and purple metamorphic rocks at your feet.<\/p>\n After you\u2019ve rested and enjoyed the view, go back to the saddle and take the right-hand trail up to the 7,056-foot summit of Snow Mountain East, which offers views similar to those of its sibling.<\/p>\n If you have the ambition, consider camping on one of the summits (and follow Leave No Trace principles<\/a>). You\u2019ll have far-reaching, earthly views during the day and an open universe above at night. Bring all the water you\u2019ll need, be prepared for possible high winds, and head downhill into the relative safety of the forest if a thunderstorm threatens.<\/p>\n Buy it on Amazon<\/a>
\nHiking time: 6 hours or overnight backpacking trip
\nHigh point: 7,056 feet
\nTotal elevation gain: 2,150 feet
\nDifficulty: moderate
\nSeason: mid-June to early October
\nWater: essentially none; bring plenty of your own
\nSummit Springs Trailhead GPS coordinates: N 39 20.745 W 122 45.124
\nMaps: USGS 7.5\u2019 Potato Hill, USGS 7.5\u2019 Fouts Springs, USGS 7.5\u2019 St. John Mountain, USGS 7.5\u2019 Crockett Peak
\nInformation: Grindstone Ranger District<\/a>, Mendocino National Forest
\nNotes: dogs allowed, backpackers will find many level spots and will need a California campfire permit<\/a><\/p>\nDriving Directions to the Snow Mountain\/Summit Springs Trailhead<\/h2>\n
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Hiking the Snow Mountain Trail in Snow Mountain Wilderness<\/h2>\n
The Top 100 Day Hikes and Backpacking Trips in Northern California<\/h4>\n
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The all-color fourth edition features the best trails:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
Climbing High Rock<\/h2>\n
Reaching Cedar Camp<\/h2>\n
Snow Mountain West<\/h2>\n
Snow Mountain East<\/h2>\n
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Camp for Free in California National Forests<\/h4>\n
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California’s national forests and BLM lands have thousands of miles of dirt roads with lots of spots for dispersed camping (boondocking).<\/strong> My book provides all the info you need to get started (but is not a guide to specific sites):<\/p>\n\n
\nBuy it on Apple, Kobo, and Nook<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\nSubscribe to the Northern California Hiking Trails Blog<\/h2>\n