Gray Eagle Creek Trail

This trail connects a fire road to Graeagle at the north end with the Grass Lake Trail. This trail can be accessed from a trailhead near the north end and another trailhead a little ways south of the midpoint. The midpoint trailhead is more popular. To get there from the Gold Lakes Highway, take the turnoff for the Gray Eagle Lodge. Keep right and you'll soon arrive at the trailhead for Gray Eagle Creek, Smith Lake, and Mt. Elwell.

To do the southern section, take the trail out of the southwest end of the parking area. It will start out pretty flat, gradually climbing to the west side of Gray Eagle Creek. Keep right at the intersection for the Lily Lake Trail. It eventually becomes steeper and more technical as it nears the falls and the Grass Lake Trail. The falls are pretty and worth a look, plus this is a good opportunity for a breather. From here, you can go left up the Grass Lake Trail or right up the Long Lake Trail.

The northern section is a fun descent, potentially all the way down to the town of Graeagle. Take the trail out of the northeast end of the parking lot. Soon you'll have a fun and quite technical descent before leveling off to an easier and gradual downhill.

The trail is now mostly smooth sailing with the occasional technical, rocky section. After a couple miles, you'll reach another short, technical downhill, at the bottom of which is an intersection. Stay left for Gray Eagle Creek Trail, as right goes out to the highway on a very technical, bouldery connector. Soon you'll reach a fire road, which can be taken down to Iroquois Trail Road and down to Graeagle where there's a bike shop, food, wifi, and swimming in the Feather River.