HIlls and Creeks

Comments: We planned to do only the East Loop, but after finishing and lunching along the creek, we decided to go for the West Loop as well. The lower portions of both trails are mostly rocky, shady, and follow dry creek beds for the majority of the time (a few had water, but were easy to cross). Each loop has a STEEP climb up to the ridge. There are great views down into the valley from the top, but the trail along the ridge is very exposed and very sunny. Along the East Loop, on top of the ridge, there is an optional trail to a lookout - this is worth the extra 1/2 mile or so. We encountered 2 Boy Scout troops up on the ridge. (They had been camping in the primitive camps areas.) The two trail loops meet at a pond/creek area. This was busy, but once you get back on the hiking portions of the trails, it is not congested. The West Loop was more solitary. There are some great rock outcroppings with maiden fern growth. Combining both loops is a good day of hiking - we would have been dissappointed if we had just done the East Loop.