Neo,

Thanks for the nice report. Your first hike on Bradford Ridge reminds me of my first hike there. I wasn't sure if I took the right path down the ridge to the springs either. I could see the springs, but wasn't sure how to get to them. You ended up taking the "Family Canyon" trail down. I usually go down that route, but up a slightly more gentle trail. If you go through the barbed wire fence and turn right instead of turning right before the barbed wire fence there is a trail that runs along the side of ridge then drops down Bradford Ridge to the PCT. But it hits the PCT further downstream from the springs than the Family Canyon trail route that you took.

In any case, as you note, it is a very nice alternative if you don't mind the longer, steeper hike and you can navigate your way through the Twin Peaks and Grass Valley neighborhoods to find the trail. But with the creek temp at 39 degrees as Wizard reports, I think not having to cross the creeek is a REAL plus!!!!

See you at the Springs