Home
Smithfield Canyon, 5 October, 2025
It rained the entire day before our scheduled hike up Smithfield Canyon, so we knew it would be a wet day and planned accordingly.With inclement weather and multiple stream crossings, we did not expect a large group to turn out for the hike.
At the hike meet-up it was a chilly 44 degrees, and we noticed the higher elevations had received snow overnight. We discussed our options and expected canyon conditions and concluded that a shorter hike was in order.
On the hike up we took a side spur to check out the camping area with a swing in a lovely meadow and a former scout camp building. The low clouds and wet plants made for spectacular colors and contrasts. We hiked up to the end of the switchbacks and stopped once we were in the snow and slippery mud. It did not rain on us until we were loaded into the cars ready to head out of the canyon.
A very lovely day.
Trip Summary:
- Seven participants: Laurel, Kamren, Dave P, Teresa, Ophelia, and trip leaders Sue and Bruce
- Drove 14
miles to the Smithfield Canyon trailhead
- Started hiking about 8:50, started back about 11:35, back at the trailhead at 1:45
- Cool
temperatures, overcast skies, rain began about 1:50
- Hiked about
6 miles with about 1600 feet of ascent and descent
Thanks
to Sue for the description, Dave P and Laurel
for photos, and Teresa for photos and GPS data.
 |
|||
| The Smithfield Canyon Trailhead | |||
 |
2025.jpg) |
||
| Along the
trail |
|||
2025.jpg) |
 |
||
| Crossing
Summit Creek |
|||
 |
 |
||
| Then "Wilderness" sign is missing |
The colors of fall |
||
 |
 |
||
| Showy goldeneye |
Red-tailed hawk | ||
.JPG) |
|||
|
Our GPS track shows about 6 miles
and 1600
feet
of ascent.
You can look at our route using
Google Earth or download our GPS file.
|
|||