Silver Lake to Spanish Peak

Near: Quincy
Distance: 7 miles
Elevation: 5800 - 7000 feet
Vegetation: Pine forest and manzanita scrub
Last Visit: June, 2020

 **Note: this hike is very close to the by the North Fire Complex of 2020.  Check the Bucks Lake Wilderness website for up to date information on trails** 

 

Spanish Peak is a rather modest high point along the Pacific Crest in the Bucks Lake Wilderness, but the eastern flank of the peak is comprised of steep cliffs dropping a few hundred feet to cluster of small lakes. So even though it's low and mostly treed, the views are actually quite excellent. This route starts at the Silver Lake Campground on the lowest, largest of these lakes and climbs the steep rocky slope the the Pacific Crest.  I also recommend the side trip to Gold Lake, the prettiest of the four small lakes in the area.  Gold Lake is a popular overnight camping spot.

Grass Valley Bald Mountain

Near: La Porte
Distance: 4.5 Miles
Elevation: 5,000 to 6,250 feet
Vegetation: Pine Forest
Last Visit: June 2020

**Note: this hike was very close the to North Fire Complex of 2020.  Check the Little Grass Valley Recreation Area website for up to date information on trail closures.

 

Grass Valley Bald Mountain is a minor peak overlooking the Little Grass Valley Reservoir.  It's definitely not the most spectacular peak in the Sierra and I wouldn't make it your sole destination on a day you're driving a long way to hike a Sierra peak.  If you happen to be hanging about the reservoir or generally in the area, it does make for a nice moderate hike with a good balance of pay-off for the effort.  It's also one of the nicer low-elevation options in the Sierra, topping out around 6,250 feet so if you're getting impatient waiting for snow melt in the spring, it might be a good peak to start with.

Vargas Plataeu

Near: Freemont
Distance: 3.5 miles
Elevation: 900 to 1200 feet
Vegetation: Pasture
Last Visit: June 2020

Vargas Plateau Regional Park is yet another East Bay cowpark situated east of Freemont.  This post is for a moderate loop around the high portion of the park.  You can also hike up the steep trail from subdivisions at the base of the plateau, but to the extent this lesser visit park has something unusual to offer, it's the the wide open views available with relatively little climbing from the upper parking area.  Also it's not clear to me if there is any public parking close to the lower entrance.