It’s a bit of a drive to get there, but the section of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) between Humboldt Summit Trailhead and Little Cub Spring is currently awash in wildflower blooms, making the journey ever so worthwhile. Even the huge, beat-up parking area at Humboldt Summit Trailhead was made pretty by the purples of penstemon, coyote mint, and larkspur.
Beyond the trailhead, going north, this moderately difficult section of the PCT takes one through one floriferous rock garden after another, interspersed now and again by shady, cool pine-fir forest. Every color of the rainbow was represented in these rock gardens, some of which were perched on hillsides, others on open ridgelines with expansive views.
There are three side-trail options along this 3.5-mile section of PCT that day hikers with enough time and energy might want to check out. The first, going north from the trailhead, is a steep 0.3-mile trail to Robbers Spring, set in a babbling brook at the edge of a pretty little meadow. Shortly thereafter comes a 0.25-mile not-too-steep trail to a vista point at Cub-Butt Divide. The trail to Little Cub Spring, our destination on this hike, is another steep 0.3 miles down to a trickling stream in shady creek habitat.
To get to Humboldt Summit Trailhead, take CA-32 East out of Chico for ~27 miles to Humboldt Road. Turn right onto Humboldt Road and drive for ~12 miles, through Butte Meadows and Jonesville, to a fork in the road, where pavement turns to gravel. Stay left and drive ~3.3 miles to a very large parking area at the top of the ridgeline. From Cottonwood, it takes us 2 to 2.25 hours one way. But it is so worth the drive! Here’s a little slideshow preview of what you will most likely see if you go now. All photos by Don Burk. Enjoy! ~Laurie & Don Burk
