Caples Creek Loop Trail

Yes Hannah. There is a beautiful place to camp if you take the loop clockwise all the way to Caples Creek 1/2 way through the loop just past Government Meadow. Then follow the creek down stream until you see the down tree to cross and after crossing go back up stream to the sandy beach at the creek's bend. There's also many other great spots along Caples Creek. Enjoy!

Caples and silver fork were huge! We made it to the crossing just past Governor’s Meadow. When you get to the creek you need to head right about a hundred yards. You'll have to scramble over a small side creek before getting the crossing on the huge log to make it to the other side of Caples creek.

Brian Foote, did you see places to camp if we were to backpack and stay somewhere on the trail overnight?

Thanks!

Maybe the best trail I've hiked in the last 25 years. Hats off to the trail maintenance crew with all the down trees from this past heavy winter. Made the 9 mile loop. Water was raging!

Toni MacKinnon, I went clockwise and ended up finding a crossing memorial weekend as I camped out for two days.

Beautiful scenery, great 3-4 hour hike. The crossing at the half way point is a large fallen tree. If you're looking for a second bridge, we didn't find it. Very easy to cross when you find it the log. Came across 3 rattle snakes on the trail. Keep a close eye on the trail. Scenery and water flow is amazing. Little snow left at 6900 ft.

Absolutely gorgeous and so much water!! Be sure you bring mosquito repellent

Bob Williams,

Which direction did you go when you did this? Thanks!

Toni

I've went twice. Loved it. Saw a huge bear in the first meadow. I'm not able to find a crossing at the point where the trail is supposed to come back down. I had to retrace my steps to get back. Maybe during low water you can wade across. In May 2017, no way.

Absolutely amazing hike. This is our second time and we love it!!!!!

solid

We hiked this trail this past weekend. We started at the Caples Creek trailhead near the Fitz Rantz Bridge. From there we hiked to the Jake Schneider Meadow which was beautiful. We continued on the Caples creek trail, past government meadows and hiked up the mountain. The we turned around because we weren't sure if the trail continued or looped back. We went back to the fork and took the Government Meadow trail. Government Meadow wasn't as cool as the Jake Schneider meadow but still great to see. On the Government Meadow trail, we had to cross the water and so it took us off trail a bit to find a log allowed us to cross the water. We had to hike in the direction of the trail and eventually found it. From there we took the Silver Fork Trail. The early part of the Silver Fork Trail is a little difficult as it goes up the mountain, with decent elevation change and switchbacks. (I wouldn't recommend for kids or inexperienced hikers.) The latter part of the Silver Fork Trail runs along the American River which was great. Finally we made it back to the Caples Creek Trail and headed back to the Trailhead. All in all, this was a 15 mile hike. If you have family and kids I would only go to the Jake Schneider Meadow and back, as that is what most of our group did.

Happy Hiking!!!

nice hike. fairly easy. water was flowing good. would definitely do this hike again. bring bug spray. lot of mosquitoes.

This was a great hike sad to see all the dried out trees. The water was very low! Easy hike

Awesome hike, beautiful scenery, even encountered a baby rattler