| About Tahoe National Forest |
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| PCT North to Love Falls Trail |
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Elevation Gain:
3,900 Feet
USGS Map:
Haypress Valley 7.5
Ending Elevation:
500 Feet
Difficulty:
Moderate
Beginning Elevation:
4,400 Feet
Length, One-way:
2 Miles
Reservation:
No
Season:
May - Late October
From Sierra City, Travel east on Hwy. #49 for approximately .5 miles, turn right onto Wild Plum Road and travel approximately 1 mile, the campground will be on the right. Follow Wild Plum Road for 1 mile to a new trailhead parking facility. Walk the trail from the trailhead 0.8 miles where it crosses the road, this is the intersection of the Wild Plum Loop Trail. Follow this trail to a fork in the trail just past the bridge over Haypress Creek. Take the left fork staying on the PCT (the right fork is Haypress Creek Trail). After 0.25 miles you will come to another fork. The right fork is the Loves Falls Trail section of the PCT. The left fork is the return portion of the Wild Plum Loop Trail which is a good way to take on your way back.
Location Information
The PCT North to Loves Falls is an moderately difficult 2 mile trail at an elevation of 4,400 feet. This trail is probably one of the most rewarding hikes in the Wild Plum Area. From the upper end of Wild Plum Campground follow the new road for 0.5 miles. On you left you will see a creek which originates on the slopes above the Hilda Mine. At this point turn left onto the well-marked trail. The trail is fairly flat for approximately 0.5 miles to the footbridge across the Haypress Creek. In this short section you have an excellent view of the towering Sierra Buttes. At the bridge the Wild Plum Trail merges with the Pacific Crest Trail. Cross the bridge and follow the PCT through a mixed conifer forest where you will get several more glimpses of the Sierra Buttes.After approximately one and 1/2 mile you will reach the prime attraction of this hike: Loves Falls. A massive bridge vaults the North Yuba River. The River has cut a mini-gorge through the resistant meta volcanic rock. It thunders from fall to fall, with a deep pool lying at the base of each fall. The Loves Falls hike ends here, although the PCT continues toward Sierra Buttes and, eventually, to the Canadian Border. When returning to the campground, we suggest you hike back on the PCT approximately 3/8 miles to a fork. Take the right branch, marked "Wild Plum Campground". The trail guides you down across a flat area near Wild Plum Guard Station, one of the oldest ranger stations in California (now closed), and back to the campground.
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