Upper Winter Creek Trail #11W23

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

An Adventure Pass is required to park at Chantry Flat. The lot fills early on weekends.

To reach the trail, follow the paved road up past the picnic area and around the water tank. The signed trail starts at a bend in the road where it turns south. It gently starts climbing in an area shaded by oaks and bay trees and crosses a seasonal stream. Then it climbs up into open chaparral of laurel sumac, manzanita, and ceanothus, offering views back down the canyon and of the parking area at Chantry Flat. In half a mile it levels off and contours around the side of the mountain going in and out of areas shaded by oak and bay trees. There are some rare groves of madrone trees about midway. Watch for their polished light brown branches.

As the trail approaches Winter Creek, it turns west and begins a descent along a shady section of trail. It ends at a junction with the Lower Winter Creek Trail and the Winter Creek Trail near some cabins.

A popular loop can be made when combined with the Lower Winter Creek Trail. Hoegees Trail Camp is about 0.1 miles below the trail junction and is a popular destination for scouts and small groups.

Oak, bay, maple, and bigcone spruce trees provide shade. You'll find a rare grove of madrone trees. Beautiful areas of monkeyflowers grow here, which usually bloom in late April and May. Watch for poison oak and rattlesnakes.