Mount Sizer Loop via Poverty Flat Road(edit)

based on 17 tracks & routes | |

DIFFICULT

#14 hike out of 32 in Henry W. Coe State Park |

DIFFICULT

15.0 mi

Distance

7 hrs 26 min

Time

1,965 ft

Elev Gain

Overview

This is a difficult loop trail to Mount Sizer in Henry W. Coe State Park.

This trail goes by Visitor Center, HQ Horse Camp, Frog Lake, Frog Lake Camp, Pajahuello Spring, Middle Ridge, Upper Camp, Sada's Spring Camp, Blue Ridge, Poverty Flat Camp 4, Poverty Flat Camp 3, Poverty Flat Camp 2, Poverty Flat Camp 1, Old Corral Camp, and Headquarters Campground.

This is an alternate route for Mount Sizer Loop.

Sights to See

Rate this Hike

★★★★★

Allenb 5 years, 7 months ago

I hiked this loop clockwise in mid-April and a beautiful sunny day. I headed out around 7:45 a.m. when it was still only 40º and even though there was a lot of sun, the day never got hot and I didn't need a lot of water. It hadn't rained in a while so the trails were in great condition and I was able to get across the two biggest streams without getting wet—although just barely (I do wish they'd build a couple of bridges). The wildflowers were pretty in places but not overall spectacular, and the hills were completely green after all the winter rain. There are two hard climbs going in this direction. One of them starts after crossing Middle Fork Coyote Creek and ends at Blue Ridge. The other starts at Little Coyote Creek (which took a bit of time finding a way across) up to Poverty Flat. I had hiked this look a couple of years ago and it was good to know what to expect. The trails make the climbs pretty straightforward, but its a long way up so be prepared. A lot of the trail is along service roads, not the most picturesque trails, but they recently graded the trails on the first third of the loop and they're in nice shape. The Frog Lake Trail path is a pretty exception, as is the Forest Trail (near the end of the hike), I recommend both of them as prettier routes. I didn't encounter much wildlife, but the birds were singing, there were a few wild turkeys, and I caught a brief sight of a bobcat at Mt. Sizer. I didn't see any other hikers until I was within a mile of the end of the hike, it was a nice quiet day.

★ ★ ★ ★