Any discussion of hiking in Mendocino National Forest should start off with mentioning two National Recreation Trails guaranteed to be superb hiking. The Ides Cove Loop Trail (8.8 mi.) in the Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness began life as an Indian trail. It provides water, lush meadows, heavy conifer stands, spectacular views—and a usually gentle gradient. This trail passes by Square Lake and Long Lake, both stocked with fish.

But the list goes on with many other excellent trails. Here's a sampling of some other notable trails. . .

Black Butte Trail
Type: Hiking
Distance: 0.7 miles
Elevation: 7080' - 7440'
Difficulty of finding/following: Easy
The trail begins at the base of Black Butte at the end of forest road 22N26. This trail is beautiful but very steep. It ascends almost 400' in 1/3 of a mile and is not recommended for stock. The trail starts in red fir and pine, quickly leaves the trees, and climbs up through craggy rocks to an outstanding 360 view from the barren summit of Black Butte. This trail may be snowbound until early June.

Waterfall Loop
Type: Hiking, Pack, and Saddle
Distance: 6.8 miles
Elevation: 5200' - 6400'
Difficulty of finding/following: Easy
The trail begins at the West Crockett trailhead and passes near a beautiful falls, with excellent views provided by a short spur trail. After crossing the Middle Fork of Stony Creek, the route follows benchy country in pine trees. As the trail turns to the south, grand views of the Lake Pillsbury Basin and surrounding mountains are prevalent to the west, with the Middle Fork of Stony Creek Canyon to the cast. The trail leads into Milk Ranch, one of the largest meadow areas on Snow Mountain. Although the Milk Ranch meadow is private property, the landowner allows horse and foot travelers to pass through on the trail, hut requests that no camps be set up within the posted portion of the meadow. As the trail turns north again and passes through the meadow, there are wonderful views from the ridge. As it approaches West Crockett Trailhead, the route switchbacks down to Stony Creek before ascending to the trailhead.
Adjoining trails: East Peak Loop, Crooked Tree Trail, Milk Ranch trail, North Ridge Loop

Lake Shore Loop
Type: Hiking, Pack, and Saddle
Distance: 4.0 miles
Elevation: 1800' - 2300'
Difficulty of finding/following: Easy This trail begins at Squaw Creek near the shores of Lake Pillsbury adjacent to Road 18N16. The trail begins in scrub oaks then passes through several species of chaparral before reaching Horsepasture Gulch Creek. The Horse pasture Gulch area is flat, grassy and is very scenic in the spring The trail forks approximately 150 yards from the lake shore and the east/left route passes through a heavily wooded area consisting of a mixture of fir, pine, oak, madrone and manzanita. The trail reaches a ridge top with excellent views of Lake Pillsbury before declining to primitive campsites on the shores of Lake Pillsbury. The walk back to the trailhead is via the lake shore and Horsepasture Gulch, where it ties hack to the fork.

Benmore Trail
Type: Hiking, Pack, and Saddle
Distance: 6.0 miles
Elevation: 1800' - 3200'
Difficulty of finding/following: Moderate
The trailhead is located in the Pine Mountain area at the junction of Benmore Creek and Eel River adjacent to Road 20N01. The trail starts in a Douglas fir, oak timber stand at the Pine Mountain Trailhead and passes through Montgomery Glade with good views of Hull Mountain. The trail crosses Benmore Creek twice and passes through ,a meadow before changing to madrone and manzanita in the lower elevations near the Eel River.

Packsaddle Trail
Type: Hiking, Pack, and Saddle
Distance: 3.2 miles
Elevation: 1840' - 2600'
Difficulty of finding/following trail: Easy
The trailhead is located in the Lake Pillsbury area alongside Road 18N25. This trail starts in Douglas fir, madrone and black oak then changes to mixed chaparral. The trail crosses Packsaddle Creek approximately 300 yards from Lake Pillsbury then runs through oak and mixed chaparral until it reaches Swallow Rock on the shores of Lake Pillsbury.

Bathhouse Trail
Type: Hiking, Pack, and Saddle
Distance: 4.0 miles
Elevation: 2000' - 4500'
Difficulty of finding/following: Moderate
Beginning at the Bathhouse Trailhead, this low-country, year-round accessible trail passes through stands of chaparral, oak woodlands and pine forests separated by glades and meadows and rock outcrops. The trail offers great views of the South Fork of Stony Creek Canyon, but no access. This trail is recommended in the late fall, winter or early spring.
Adjoining Trails: Deafy Glade

Bearwallow Trail
Type: Hiking, Pack and Saddle
Distance: 6.0 miles
Elevation: 3900' - 5200'
Difficulty of finding/following: Easy
The trail begins on Forest Road 18N06.2 and contours the west flank of St. John Mountain. It is a gentle grade passing through chaparral, mixed pine oak and fir. This trail offers excellent views of Snow Mountain, the Middle Fork of Stony Creek Gorge and Bear Wallow Creek Canyon. A short side trail leads down to Bear Wallow Creek which contains a population of native rainbow trout.

Milk Ranch Loop
Type: Hiking, Pack, and Saddle
Distance: 9.5 miles
Elevation: 5200' - 6880'
Difficulty of finding/following: Easy
This loop can be started at the Summit Springs Trailhead and is one of the most popular loops on Snow Mountain. This route offers the best of Snow Mountain: dense red fir forests, meadows and a barren peak. This trail also passes through some of the most severely fire scarred areas resulting from the Fouts Fire. The restrictions mentioned in the Waterfall Loop Trail also apply to the Milk Ranch private property on this route.
Adjoining trails: Overlook Loop, East Peak Loop, Waterfall Loop
Note: Horse Packers are advised to use the Dixie (Deafy) Glade trailhead for parking to avoid steep grades difficult for trailers.

East Peak Loop
Type: Hiking, Pack, and Saddle
Distance: 7.5 miles
Elevation: 5200' - 7046
Difficulty of finding/following: Easy
Beginning at the Summit Springs Trailhead, this loop is the most popular loop in the Snow Mountain Arc-a. Some- of the best high country scenery can be viewed from this trail. The route passes through several vegetative types, high meadows and to the top of East Peak, Snow Mountains highest point. A register is available at the summit.

Overlook Loop
Type: Hiking, Pack, and Saddle
Distance: 6.5 miles Elevation: 5200' - 6596'
Difficulty of finding/following: Difficult
The trail begins at the Summit Springs Trailhead and was completed after a 1987 fire destroyed existing trails in the southern portion of the Snow Mountain Wilderness. This loop allows a look at the- recovery stage of a fire ecology arc-a, then leaves the- burn to pass a high vista to Mt. Shasta, Mt. Lassen, and the Yolla-Bollys, then down through fir forest and low manzanita to Appletree Camp at the headwaters of Dark Hollow Creek. Compressed ecological zones, unusual plant communities, and the narrow but refreshing corridor of Dark Hollow Creek, make this a varied and highly enjoyable loop.
Adjoining trails: Milk Ranch Trail, North Ridge Trail, East Peak Loop

Bloody Rock Trail
Type: Hiking, Pack, and Saddle
Distance: 3.0 miles
Elevation: 2280' - 3000'
Difficulty of finding/following: Easy
The trailhead is located in the Eel River area adjacent to Road 20N01 within the State Game Refuge. This is a one-way trail which runs through glades and passes near historic Bloody Rock before entering a wooded area. The trail ends at the Eel River. There are several camps along the Eel River. Following the murder of an early settler in Gravelly Valley, the massacre of 65 Native American men in the Cabbage Patch-Bloody Rock area gave rise to the outcrop's name.

Deafy Glade Trail
Type: Hiking, Pack and Saddle
Distance: 3.2 miles
Elevation: 3100' - 5450'
Difficulty of finding/following: Moderate
This trail begins at the Dixie Glade Picnic Area and drops into the South Fork of Stony Creek Canyon after passing through forests of oak and pine. At the crossing, are views of the sheer face of Deafy Rock which rises several hundred feet above the cascading stream waters. The trail ascends through Deafy Glade and switch backs up through second growth forests to the wilderness boundary where it connects to the Summit Springs Trail. This trail passes through private land. The route through these parcels is rather vague, so follow the old blazes in the trees.
Adjoining trails: Bathhouse, Summit Springs

Hellhole Canyon Trail
Type: Hiking, Pack, and Saddle
Distance: 3 miles
Elevation: 2100' - 2800'
Difficulty of finding/following: Easy
The trail begins from Indian Dick Road (lN02), and is a good day hike trail for sunny clays from fall to spring. There are plenty of picnic spots along the route. Currently this trail terminates at a campsite in Hellhole Canyon. Be careful in this area, as there are some cliffs alongside the trail and you may encounter mountain bikers.

Travelers Home Trail
Type: Hiking, Pack and Saddle
Distance: 7.6 miles
Elevation: 2100' - 3700' Difficulty of finding/following: Easy
This trail starts about 12 miles out of Covelo at a logging landing. Trailhead on road 24N21 signed"Travelers Home Trail", and ends in the Wild and Scenic area of the Middle Fork Eel River. This trail is a bit hot and muggy during summer, but it's a nice low elevation day hike in the fall, winter and spring. There are plenty of picnic spots as the trail passes through stands of conifer, oak, glades, and meadows. There are some long, steep grades so pack plenty of water. You may encounter mountain hikers along this trail.

Peterson Trail
Type: Hiking, Pack, and Saddle
Distance: 3 miles (add 2 miles from Kingsly Glade)
Elevation: 3600' - 2000'
Difficulty of finding/following: Easy
This trail begins at Straight Arrow Camp and wanders through ponderosa pine forest, in and out of meadows and glades, and passes remnants of an old cabin and orchard site (Peterson Place). The trail ends at Thomas Creek. Fantastic water holes and solitude, especially during the week, are highlights of this trail.
Adjoining Trails: Lantz Ridge (200' downstream)
Note: Horsepackers are advised to park at Kingsly Glade Camp where there is parking, water and a corral.

Thomes Gorge Nomlaki Trail
Type: Hiking, Pack, and Saddle
Distance: 4.2 mile
Elevation: 1200' - 2100'
Difficulty of finding/following: Easy
This trail starts from the Mud Flat trailhead on forest road 23N35 and is named for the people indigenous to this locale. The trail begins in arid chaparral, with extensive views of the foothill country. Passing through gray pine and meandering around seasonal vernal pools, the- trail. drops into the spectacular geologic formations of Thomes Gorge, ending near the deep, sparkling pools of Thomes Creek. In summer it's a hot midday hike with little water along the way. Be sure to pack plenty to drink.

Lantz Ridge Trail
Type: Hiking, Pack, and Saddle
Distance: 3 miles
Elevation: 3850' -2000'
Difficulty of finding/following: Moderate
Starting from an old logging deck with great parking, the trail drops down a northern exposure, through dark Douglas Fir old growth to mature stands of oak and grass. The creek is surrounded with buckeye. and the wildflowers in spring are terrific.
Adjoining Trail: Peterson Trail (about 200' upstream)
Note: Follow M4 to Lantz Ridge, turn right at the green gate, and follow the main road to the landing.