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