Mill Creek / Tower House Historical District, CA

Overview
This is a very fun trail along Mill Creek, that starts off straight and passes an old stamp mill and abandoned mine. The trail then narrows to closely follow the creek and has a lot of small twists, turns, slight ups and downs, and plenty of creek crossings to keep things interesting. Watch for frogs (or toads?) in the creek during crossings, I also came across a snake. This trail stays very cool and comfortable even when temperatures in surrounding areas are high--I went with a high of 99 in Redding but the trail felt great. Completely shaded, while following the cold creek to provide a cooler temperature in the summer.

Warning
As always in this area, watch out for poison oak.

History
The Tenant Farmhouse, the El Dorado Mine and Stamp Mill are historic structures on the Mill Creek Trail. The Stamp Mill housed an apparatus in which rock was crushed by descending pestles known as “stamps.” The mill was operated by steam power. Mercury was used to separate the gold from the crushed rock through a process called amalgamation. The technique is no longer used in the United States, as mercury has been found hazardous to human health.

Hike
The trail continues past the abandoned mine to follow Mill Creek. Pass both branches of the Clear Creek Vista Trail which veers to the left across Mill Creek and up the hill. The trail crosses the creek approximately 20 times. Footing is often slippery. The Mill Creek Trail ascends the drainage, paralleling the creek on either side. The trail then leaves the drainage, ascends a ridge line and finally intersects with a dirt road. You may choose to continue on Crystal Creek Road to the East to pass a trail to Whiskeytown Falls and to reach a trailhead at Crystal Creek Road.

Water Sources
Mill Creek along the trail

Check out the Official Route and Triplogs.

Leave No Trace and +Add a Triplog after your hike to support this local community.

2016-09-24 lojones5