Near Upper Bidwell Park Loop - South Side
Bear Hole
Near Upper Bidwell Park Loop - South Side
Above Bear Hole on Annie Bidwell Trail
Near Upper Bidwell Park Loop - South Side
Big Chico Creek
Near Upper Bidwell Park Loop - South Side
Big Chico Creek at 5 mile recreation area
Near Upper Bidwell Park Loop - South Side
Guardians Trail, where the real fun begins

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Driving Directions
Hike Route

Upper Bidwell Park Loop - South Side

4.5 (4 Ratings)
Earn some great views from the South Rim of Big Chico Creek Canyon.
12.1
mi
Distance
1,769
ft
Gain
strenuous
Difficulty
River/CreekSwimmingViewsWildflowersWildlife

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
12.11mi
Distance
1,769ft
Elevation Gain
1,769ft
Elevation Loss
50%
Max Grade
1,387ft
High Point
273ft
Low Point
Path Type
Loop
Description
Start and finish at 5 mile recreation area. There, you'll find parking and bathrooms, as well as a good place to swim. Start by hiking to the end of Centennial Avenue and a short dirt road along Big Chico Creek that leads to the Annie Bidwell Trail. Annie Bidwell Trail begins immediately climbing up to the canyon's rim until intersecting with Guardian Trail. At the intersection of South Rim and Guardians take the steep, rocky downhill back towards Big Chico Creek. At the end of Annie Bidwell Trail, turn right onto 10 Mile House Trail and climb to the start of Guardian Trail. Guardian offers some of the best views in Bidwell Park as well as some of its best singletrack. This trail ends where it intersects Annie Bidwell Trail. From here you'll revisit a section of Annie Bidwell Trail that you already came up.

Route Conditions

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Anonymous Adventurer
Some Issues
Anonymous Adventurer
All Clear
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All Clear
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All Clear
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Contributors
Jco25 Colby