Mississippi Lake
Trip highlights
• China Hole - popular swimming holer
• The Narrows, scenic rocky canyon. May be impassable in high water
• Steep climbs and descents
• Panoramic views from Willow Ridge
• Largest lake in the park: fishing (bass)
• Swimming, wildlife viewing
• Remote area, away from light pollution - you can really see Milky Way!
Elevation - one way via Willow Ridge Road
Route
Follow Corral, Forest (both mostly shady), Manzanita Point Road and China Hole Trail to China Hole, a popular swimming hole in summer. Cross the creek a few hundred feet upstream and enter The Narrows.
The canyon gradually opens up as you reach Los Cruzeros. Continue upstream on the right side of the creek. At the signed junction, take Willow Ridge Trail.
Ascend steeply through mixed forest, grassy meadows and patches of chaparral. Coast live oaks and bay trees provide shade. In late spring, meadows are sprinkled with yellow mariposa lilies.
After 1.4 miles of steep climb, watch for Willow Ridge Spring on your right, hidden in the shade. Continue along Willow Ridge Trail for 0.3 miles until it ends at Willow Ridge Road.
Turn left, and In 0.5 miles you will reach the highest point of the ridge at 2615 feet. Rat Spring is the only water source near Willow Ridge Road until you reach the lake.
Willow Ridge is a roller coaster with many small (+/-150 feet) but steep ups and downs.
For the next 4 miles, the road follows the ridge crest through chaparral with occasional grey pine or oak, very little shade, and great panoramic views.
At mile 12.1 of your hike, you will reach the junction with Mississippi Dam Road, with a view of the lake but no access to water. If you plan to camp by the dam, take a right. Otherwise, continue along the west shore for 1 mile to the outhouse and picnic table with ramada.
Multi-day options
You may choose to camp mid-point on the way in and/or out, at Los Cruzeros or Willow Ridge.
Alternative route
To avoid The Narrows in the wet season, use Cougar Trail/Poverty Flat Road. Both routes may be impassible after a heavy rainstorm.
The Narrows
The Narrows is a 1-mile long stretch of East Fork Coyote Creek between China Hole and Los Cruzeros without an established trail. Expect uneven ground. May have to wade in the water in wet seasons.
Camping at Mississippi Lake
Best camping spot is on the northwest shore by the picnic table with a ramada, on the lake side of the road and a vault toilet is nearby.
Another option (which shortens the hike by 1 mile) is to camp at the south shore, near the dam. Lake is across the road from the campsite and a vault toilet nearby.
Lake is mostly surrounded by reeds, making access to the water difficult.
Camping at Los Cruzeros
6.2 miles, +50/-1450 feet from trailhead 7.1 miles, +2050/-1450 to Mississippi Lake
Three established sites by East Fork Coyote Creek, between Los Cruzeros signpost and junction with Willow Ridge Trail. The sites have partial shade, no picnic tables or outhouse. Seasonal water from the creek.
Camping at Willow Ridge
7.6 miles, +1050/-1450 feet from the trailhead 5.7 miles, +1050/-1450 to Mississippi Lake
Willow Ridge Spring usually flows until mid- summer. Watch for encroaching poison oak near the spring. Take unnamed 0.1 mile long trail to the spacious flat area under large oaks, overlooking the canyon of Coyote Creek and Mahoney ridge.
Great for watching sunset.