This bump along the California Coastal Range's Blue Ridge isn't the highest by far, but the Bureau of Land Management saw fit to construct a trail to about the top of this peak, with only a name from the 1941 summit benchmark. With the help of volunteers from the Boy Scouts and the Sierra Club, workers dug out a rough route to the ridgecrest, and then along it to the peak.

The 4 mile trail, each way, with 2,300 foot total, round trip, gain makes for a great winter conditioning workout. About 25 hikers sign in the summit register each year. It is class 1 trail to the top, but beginner hikers may not like it. Some of the trail is overgrown by the chapparal, and a big fire occured near the top, and lower slopes, just recently. A section requiring some caution is a quick trail reroute about a minor rock/land slide.

Getting There

Take Highway 16 north from Rumsey, CA, and go across the Cache Creek highway bridge after a few miles. About one mile north from this bridge, a sign reads Cache Creek Canyon Regional Park Lower Site. A large asphalt parking lot is located here, with facilities. However, the best time to climb is in the winter, or off-season, when this picnic area is closed. You might park along the gated dirt road at several spots. Under the pine tree, near the start of the dirt road, works best for me.

Proceed east along this dirt road, going around the gate. You descend to the low water bridge, cross it, and follow the sign left to the Blue Ridge Trail. Take this shortcut use trail up to the side dirt road headed downstream in the creek canyon, and in a few hundred feet, come to the signed trail. Take it to the top. Elevation markers will indicate how far up you've climbed.

The trail now leads to the actual summit and highpoint. A post "2,868" marks the top.

Red Tape

No permits, but when the picnic area is open, a fee may be charged.

Some rules are posted at the park entrance.

When To Climb

It can be climbed year round, but most hikers will prefer to do it in the fall, a dry winter, and the spring. The trail can get muddy and slippery. Temperatures may get to 100 plus in the summer, but it can be hiked in the early morning, then.

After a heavy rain, the low water bridge may be inundated by rushing water. I've seen it submerged under a foot of whitewater. Do not attempt to cross it then!

Camping

There's some camping in the area. A waterless high camp may be backpacked to, on the ridgetop. There are no huts or fees.

Mountain Conditions

Please visit the PETE'S THOUSAND PEAKS website for some personal accounts every so often. The Ukiah BLM has jurisdiction over this area.

Some Hiking Hazards

Watch for poison oak along the trail. I don't recall very much, but allergic hikers should beware. Mountain lions are in the area, so solo travel or having small children along requires some caution. Often there is animal scat on the trail, so watch where you step! I came upon a rattler, once, devouring a small mouse directly on the trail, so keep your eyes sharp for such. The trail edges along a steep slope often, so unbalanced types (such as from stroke) need to be aware. And do not eat or pick the mushrooms! 50% of all species are poisonous! Nothing much is edible along the trail, so survival types had better be knowledgable--the toyon berries are not something to eat, for instance. The trail does get muddy and slippery. All other hazards may or may not be applicable. It can get cold, and you can suffer heat stroke in the summer. The water is not drinkable without treatment.

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