Paradise Creek Trail

Following my previous week's outing of the Marble Fork Trail, I decided my next day hike would be the Paradise Creek Trail leaving from the Buckeye Flat Campground. However, this early in the year the road to the campground is close. I had to park a mile back at Hospital Rock and walk a few pleasant miles in on the paved road just to reach the campground.

I had been to Hospital Rock many time before. I've always loved the view of the South Face of Moro Rock from Hospital Rock. 

Hospital Rock has some interesting native american petoglyphs along mortar rocks as well. Pretty cool stuff!

 I hiked the paved road from Hospital Rock to Buckeye Campground (1 mile).

The views of Castle Rocks was really impressive! I reached the campground and found the official trail head sign and started down the path. 

Like last week, it was another beautiful sunny day in the Sierra foothills. 

 After about half a mile, the trail reaches the Kaweah River crossing. A really cool bride provides safe passage to the other side.

After crossing the Kaweah  River on the bridge, the trail ascends the side drainage of Paradise Creek.

I'll admit, the trail's shape deteriorated as it climbed uphill. I guess most people don't go past the bridge? With that said, I never lost the trail or was in doubt where it went. As advertised the trail does abruptly come to a stop about 2 miles past the bridge by a pool in Paradise Creek.

A stopped briefly for lunch and turned around. Once again, I still wasn't sure how to fit or load my new backpack!

Only and hour and half after I had left Hospital Rock, I had returned back to my car. Once again, this was a great "second" solo outing.