Flowers near Catherine Creek (Steve Hart)

The Catherine Creek Arch (Steve Hart)

The Catherine Creek Bridge (Steve Hart)

An abandoned corral (Steve Hart)

• Start point: Catherine Creek Trailhead
• End point: Road 21-Eastside Trail Junction
• Trail Log: Trail Log
• Hike Type: Loop
• Distance: 2 miles
• Elevation gain: 500 feet
• Difficulty: Easy
• Seasons: Year round, best Mar-May
• Family Friendly: Yes
• Backpackable: No
• Crowded: Yes
• Crowded: Yes

Hike Description

There are a number of pleasant strolls in the Catherine Creek area, this one visits a rock arch, an old homestead and a lot of wildflowers.

From the Catherine Creek Trailhead, hike on a closed road signed "020", toward the northeast. This trail soon drops down to Catherine Creek as it bubbles through a small oak forest. The closed road continues upstream for a bit to a junction with another closed road, this one signed "021". Follow the "21 Trail" as it crosses the creek on a small bouncy bridge made of small logs and plywood. This trail heads up the east side of the creek next to large wall of columnar basalt.

You'll soon come to an abandoned corral filled with miner's lettuce that blooms in April. The rock arch looms over the corral high above a talus slope made of fallen rock. A rough trail works its way through a few oak trees, across the talus and through the arch. You can reach the upper ridge this way as a shortcut, but we're viewing that as more of a side trip. There's more to see back down in the valley.

A short distance above the corral is a collapsed building. The trail/road then climbs a very short uphill stretch and heads east into a side valley filled with pine trees. If you choose to go off-trail look out for poison oak here. The trail is clear, but it hides in nearby areas. As the road approaches a powerline, you'll see a single track footpath headed up to the right (south). This is your return route.

This footpath climbs briefly to the top of the basalt wall and then gradually winds its way downhill toward the highway. In season, this entire area is filled with wildflowers of countless varieties. You'll pass the top of the rock arch on your way down as well as a small seasonal trickle. In about a mile, you'll come to Old Highway 8, about 1/4 mile east of your car. Hike the highway shoulder back to your wheels.

Maps

• Maps: Hike Finder

Regulations or restrictions, etc

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• Stevefromdodge (creator)