Home

Cache Creek Ridge
shuttle

CHALLENGING DAY HIKE

12.5 miles  1,400' elevation gain

best season: 
Nov-May
but not if snow below:
2,500'
 

1:40 drive

dogs welcome

This hike is in the Cache Creek Natural Area, and follows the ridgeline border of the Cache Creek Wilderness (established 2006).

There is a crossing of Bear Creek.  The flow ranges from easy to impassable.  The Bear Creek Flow Gauge gives current flow readings.

5 CFS is skip across
15 CFS is may get feet wet
40 CFS is wade across, you might find a spot only 1.5 feet deep
80+ CFS is dangerous for most everybody
 

[on Jan 4, 2008 the flow went from 4 CFS at 12:45 AM to 2,970 CFS at 2:30PM.  That's 740 times as much!] [Also from 737 CFS to 2580 CFS in half an hour around 1:30 PM]

This is former ranch country, and there are multiple old 4WD routes.  Recommended to bring gps, if not well-skilled in following topography.

Trail has serious clay mud when wet; let dry for 10 or more days after rain before doing this hike.

If weather is warm it will dry sooner.

check recent rain here

This hike is in Cache Creek Natural Area; owned by the public, managed by Ukiah Field Office of Bureau of Land Management. Backpacking welcomed; campfires welcomed except during wildfire season.

Field Guide

current weather forecast

Street View of trailhead
starting trailhead
ending trailhead

Maps

Avenza version

Adobe PDF version

KML track of hike