China Gulch Loop @ Jacksonville Forest Park

March 10, 2019

A week ago we hiked the new Knobcone Pine trail at the Jacksonville Forest Park.  Since the week following saw no snow, we thought (key word) that the trails out to another new trail, the China Gulch Loop, would be snow-free.  So between a Saturday hike at Upper Table Rock and a Monday hike at Touvelle State Park, we headed back to the Jacksonville Forest Park on Sunday for another new hike in 2019.

One of the longer & larger falls along the Canyon Falls Trail

We began at the P2 parking area and headed up the Norling Trail which was snow-free.  But as we transitioned onto the Canyon Falls Trail the snow began appearing in patches and eventually turned completely to snow.  Since our hike continued to climb in elevation, the snow continued to climb in elevation too until it was a couple of feet deep.  Katie enjoyed all the snow and took time to roll in it.  We did not.

The higher you go the deeper the flow of snow!

As we hiked up the Arrowhead Pass Trail where the snow was very deep, we tried to step in the recent footprints along the trail.  Glenn joked that probably Bruce and Linda (aka Boots on the Trail) had probably been up here hiking this new trail before we could and sure enough, in about 100 yards who did we meet coming down the trail -- Bruce and Linda.  Be sure to check out their posting on this new trail too by clicking here.  After chatting for a little bit, Bruce and Linda headed downhill and we made our way up to and around the China Gulch trail --- which was snow-free.

Almost to the new loop trail

Along the China Gulch loop at last.....

It is a short but very nice loop that allows a couple of nice views of the surrounding area.   There are a few remnants of metal and cement along with the "ditch" that runs along the trail at times.  After hiking the loop to an access road, we short cut down a gulch still following Bruce and Linda's foot trail since it was hard to find the connecting trail back to the actual start of the loop.

Another view of the trail (?) covered in snow.

We returned along a different route mainly to avoid the snow and finished at 7.1 miles in 3 1/2 hours.  The snow is beautiful and all the creeks were full of water.  We want to go back when the snow is really gone and enjoy this hike again, maybe in the reverse order of trails.  Our trail route for this hike beginning at P2 Parking Lot in order was: Norling - Canyon Falls - Twin Peaks - Shade Creek - Arrowhead Pass - China Gulch Loop -  Arrowhead Pass - Atsahu - Twin Peaks - Madrone Grove - Owl Hoot - Boulder - Ol' Miners - Norling.

Trekking Together
Glenn & Carol

Knobcone Pine Trail @ Jacksonville Forest Park

March 3, 2019

After hearing from local hiking friends Boots on the Trail that the Jacksonville Forest Park had some new trails, we decided to venture out on a sunny Saturday and see if we could find and hike these new trails.  We parked at the P1 parking area and picked up a new map to find 3 new trails either made or "to be made: Knobcone Pine, Rattlesnake, and the Arrowhead Pass trail - which includes the China Ditch area of the park.

The new wildlife viewing shelter at the reservoir.

Katie enjoying the leftover snow!

We decided to head out and try the Knobcone Pine trail since it wasn't too far out in the park and it would also lead us to Granite Falls which we wanted to see.  With all the recent rain and then our snowstorm last Tuesday, we figured the falls and creeks should be full of water.  As we made our way by the Historic Jacksonville Reservoir we came across a new (at least since the last time we hiked here) wildlife viewing shelter which is a great addition, and got to see the P1A parking area being made which will increase parking capacity and also feature restrooms.

On to a new trail!

View along the Knobcone Pine trail of a Knobcone Pine Tree

Madrone bark chips on snow -- looked like chocolate shavings on ice cream

After working our way along the Norling and Siskiyou trails, we came to the sign for the 1-mile long Knobcone Pine trail.  We also came across lots of leftover snow which added beauty to the hike and made for a much slower hike.  Glenn failed to look at the description of this new trail which was rated as "Difficult" since it climbs around 600-700 feet in that one mile, but regardless, it is a great trail with amazing views and will have 2 viewing areas that are currently cleared but not built.

Hiking along the snow filled trails.

Granite Falls - Most water we have seen!

View of falls from other side with sign in view.

We then connected to the Pipsissewa trail and hiked down to Granite Falls.  Most of the year Granite Falls is either dry or barely a trickle, but today there was a descent amount of water and we took time to enjoy this rare view of Granite Falls.

A full and beautiful Jackson Creek

Small waterfall on Jackson Creek

View of Norling Trail on our return hike.

We made our way down the hill and over to the Norling Trail just below the Canyon Falls Trails and enjoyed seeing all the water in Jackson Creek as we made our way back to the parking lot.  A nice snow-filled 5.9 mile hike that took us 3 hours due to the snow and climbing.  On our next trip here we hope to work our way out to the Arrowhead Pass loop trail which is a 1.5 mile loop and will require around 6-7 more miles to get there and back.  This may be a 10+ mile hike in the near future.  If you can, get out to the Jacksonville Forest Park and explore any of the 32 trails available for hikers and bikers.

Trekking Together
Glenn and Carol