EUREKA PEAK (7,447') CLASS 1

Location: 15 miles NNW of Sierra City, CA

ROUTE A
Drive: Take Highway 89 north to a junction about 0.5 mile north of Greagle and turn left (west), following the sign "Plumas Eureka State Park 5." Following the signs, cross a one lane bridge. After 0.2 mile further, pass the park headquarters and museum. Continue on the main, paved road, following the sign to "Ski Area 1.2." In about 1.5 miles, come to a big, paved lot, and park. Good, high clearance vehicles could continue to Eureka Lake.
Climb: Take the dirt road at the southwest corner of the main parking lot, and, following the sign "Eureka Lake 1.3," hike up this road. Come to another primitive parking lot with an outhouse. Once here to the lake, go to the right (north) side and cross the gated dam/levee. Follow the trail on the other side. Several "trail" posts mark the trail. After a distance, come to a fork. Here, a "trail" post arrows to go left. This is the shorter route to the top. Climb to a ridgetop with good views. Follow the trail right (west) along the ridge. You will shortly come to a high, brushy plateau, where the highpoint is the right (north) pile of some two piles of rocks. Both highpoints have a white wooden post. A very short, brushy scramble right (north) off the trail leads one to the true top.
One may continue west along the trail to complete the loop. Shortly come to a used vehicle track, and in about a hundred yards, a sign marks the return trail going right. Coming back to the low fork, hike on the trail back to the lake and parking lot.

WINTER SKI ASCENT: Follow Route A. The road is plowed to the main parking area. Good telemark slopes lie on the north side of this peak.

TRIP STATS: Route A, 2,000 feet gain, 2.8 miles one way.

Notes: An operating ski area is located here near the trailhead. The museum at park headquarters is $1.00 admission for adults, and $.50 for children (2000).
Mt. Washington (7,360+) is another worthy peak just to the south, over a deep canyon, from Eureka Peak. The road leading west past the Park museum can be used as access. This peak will require mostly cross-country travel to gain the summit, which has a great view of the west side of Mt. Elwell.

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