Mileage: 2 miles, one way
Elevation: 4400 to 5000 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Use Level: Moderate
Season: May to late October
Topographic Map: Haypress Valley 7.5'

Access: By Auto: The shortest walk to Loves Falls is from the intersection of Hwy 49 and the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), 0.2 mile northeast of Sierra City. From Hwy 49 walk 1/4 mile southeast on the PCT. You'll see the falls on your right. For a longer walk (at the northeast end of Sierra City), turn off Highway 49 onto Wild Plum Road at the sign for the Wild Plum Campground. (The sign is located just opposite the Yuba River Inn.) Follow Wild Plum Road for 1 mile to the trailhead parking facility. Walk the trail from the trailhead 1/8 mile to where it crosses the road. Take the road over the bridge and through the campground About 1/2 mile past the campground the trail takes off from the road to the left. Follow it to a fork in the trail past the bridge over Haypress Creek. Take the felt fork staying on the Pacific Crest Trail . (The right fork is Haypress Creek Trail). After 1/4 mile you'll come to another fork. The right fork is the Loves Falls Trail section of the PCT. Take the left fork which completes the Wild Plum Loop Trail.

If camped at Wild Plum: Follow the Wild Plum Loop Trail from the upper end of the campground. About 1/2 mile past the campground the trail takes off from the road to the left. Follow it to a fork in the trail just past the bridge over Haypress Creek. Take the left fork staying on the PCT. (The right fork is Haypress Creek Trail) After 1/4 mile you'll come to another fork. The right fork is the Loves Falls Trail section of the PCT. The left fork is the return portion of the Wild Plum Loop Trail which is a good route to take on your way back.

Trail Description: This is probably one of the most rewarding hikes in the Wild Plum area. From the upper end of Wild Plum Campground follow the new road for 1/2 mile. On your left you will see a creek which originates on the slopes above the Hilda mine. At this point turn left onto the well marked trail. The trail is fairly flat for approximately 1/2 mile to the footbridge across Haypress Creek. In this short section you have an excellent view of the towering Sierra Buttes. At the bridge the Wild Plum Trail merges with the Pacific Crest Trail. Cross the bridge and follow the PCT through a mixed conifer forest where you will get several more glimpses of the Sierra Buttes.

After approximately 1.5 miles you will reach the prime attraction of this hike: Loves Falls. A massive bridge vaults the North Yuba River. The river has cut a mini-gorge through the resistant metavolcanic rock. It thunders from fall to fall, with a deep pool lying at the base of each fall. The Loves Falls hike ends here, although the Pacific Crest Trail continues toward Sierra Buttes and, eventually, to the Canadian border. When returning to the campground, we suggest you hike back on the PCT approximately 3/8 mile to a fork. Take the right branch, marked "Wild Plum Campground." The trail guides you down across a flat area near Wild Plum Guard Station, one of the oldest ranger stations in California (now closed), and back to the campground.