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.

Rules

This hike is in the Bucks Lake Wilderness, within the Plumas National Forest. No permits are required for day hikes or dispersed camping. CA fire permit required for operation of camping stoves. Dogs OK off leash under voice control.

Trailhead

The Silver Lake Campground. The camground is a few miles up a dirt and gravel road off Bucks Lake Road. It's a bit bumpy and rocky near the end, mostly in pretty good shape and no problem for two wheel drive cars. The trailhead camping is right next to the dam. Drive on through the campground to get to it. There is a pit toilet. No fees.

Route Notes

Cross the dam from the parking lot, and the a clear, signed trail leads you up to the PCT by way of 'Granite Gap'. A sign about a mile in directs you off to the half mile Gold Lake spur, just before the steep part of the climb begins. Gold Lake is a nice camping spot, but popular, so don't expect solitude there. The other two small lakes along the climb (Mud Lake and Rock Lake) looked quieter. They both didn't have any obviously great camping sites visible from the trail, though and Mud Lake looked only slightly nicer than it's name implied. Granite Gap is a short climb over rocky slabs and rock stairs into a small notch in the cliffs guarding the PCT. Once on the ridge the landscape changes and suddenly your trundling along a flat trail with deep shade under mature pines. There are a few limited views east from the PCT over the cliffs. After a bit over a mile of gentle walking, there is a spur north to the summit of Spanish Peak with clear views east. Mt Lassen is visible to the north and the Sierra Buttes North are visible to the south.

CalTopo Map: https://caltopo.com/m/7950