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.
Rules
This trail is in the Plumas National Forest. No permits required for day use or dispersed camping. Fire permit required for campfires. Dogs OK off leash under voice control
Trailhead
There is a small day-use parking lot next to the Little Grass Valley Horse Camp. Not so much a parking lot as a strip of dirt road into the camp with some cleared pullouts. It's clearly marked with a sign for PCT trail access. No facilities here. No fees.
Route notes:
From the parking area, cross the road and walk a few hundred feet west. The trail is clearly marked on the north side of the road. Stay left at the junction with the connector trail to the PCT. The route is well shaded until near the very top.
CalTopo Map: https://caltopo.com/m/CTLA
Photos:
Trail head on the road
Well signed junction of the trail connection to the PCT. The tie trail looks much less well used. You could definitely extend your hike by connecting over to the PCT, but from what we could see from the summit you'd have to go a long ways on the PCT before you got a solid view
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