Spencer Meadow National Recreation Trail

The trail leaves CA-36 through mixed fir, pine, incense cedar and black oak, with seasonal streams along the climb. Follow the two connected branches around the northern loop, then retrace the approach to the highway. Keep a GPS track handy at the junctions; nearby paths lead to different itineraries, and the directions are not always clear about which one their mileage describes.

A rocky overlook looks down on Childs Meadow, with forested slopes beyond. Include some of the foreground rock in a photo to show the drop toward the meadow. The route also approaches Spencer Meadow, where spring wildflowers are a highlight. A separate faint path is reported to Canyon Creek Falls, a roughly 50-foot waterfall, but its junction and added distance are not reliably mapped; it is not part of the 11.5-mile line.

Start at Spencer Meadow Trailhead on the north side of CA-36 just before Childs Meadow. There is no potable water at the trailhead or along the route. Leashed dogs are allowed on this loop. The separate continuation toward Twin Meadows and Kings Creek enters Lassen Volcanic National Park, where pets are not allowed on hiking trails; that route also needs a self-arranged shuttle and can be hard to follow.

Mileage listings don't agree. A six-mile figure leaves its endpoints and direction unclear, while loop descriptions range from about 11.5 to 13.2 miles. The line here follows the connected 11.56-mile loop, including the same approach on the return. It excludes an uncertain waterfall spur and the separate northbound continuation toward Twin Meadows and Kings Creek.