I hiked to DCHS on the Bradford Ridge Trail Tuesday. Using this route its pavement to the trailhead, whereas its about 7 miles of dirt road to the Bowen Ranch. There is no fee to park at the BRT. I'm not sure if an adventure pass is required there, I did not have one. Its a beautiful ride through the SBNF forest going to the BRT Since I live in the high desert my route goes by Lake Gregory, then Grass Valley Rd connecting to HWY 173. Its a very clear well traveled trail. Once you start the last steep decent into the canyon, the trail goes in two directions, one to your right, shorter and very steep with even a rope installed by people in the last part to hold on to, its slippery. Or left which is definitely better, less steep, but a bit longer. A tip, if you take the left trail after going down it about 50 yards, maybe less, there is a trail that takes you across the very top of the ridge, it is best but you might have trouble spotting it. On both of those trails after you hit the PCT, turn right to the springs. You could camp anywhere along the beginning part of the BRT which follows Kinely Creek for the first 30 minutes of walking, there are spots down in the stream bed, lots of trees and sand and its close to the trail, no water though, its usually dry during the summer.
I always drink the water from the hot sources at DCHS. Fill up your water bottle and cool it down in the creek, taste great and is clean. I had a bottle that I did not drink Tuesday, and I took it on my hike today to another spot on Deep Creek, drank it first, wishing I had more. Best water you could drink, at least in my opinion Today was fun at the creek, rain in the morning, it cleared off for a couple of hours 11AM to 1PM, then back to rain and thunder throughout the rest of the afternoon and during my hike out. Beautiful clouds with differant colors, awesome sunset! Saw recent Racoon tracks in the wet mud The creek stayed around 76 since there was not much sun, I went in many times
Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 09/01/2017 11:12AM by Wizard.