Nanny Creek Trail
Lassen Road 30N16
Lassen Back Roads
Lassen Rd #30N16 – Lassen National Forest
Nanny Creek / McGowan XC
E of Mineral, CA
Narrow dirt road thru dense forest, connects Highway 36 to Lassen Route #29N22 (Dry Lake Trail) and then heads west to meet with Lassen Road 17 (aka #31N45)
McGowan Cross Country Ski Area (USFS link)
The McGowan Lake Cross-Country Ski Area has been in existence since 1982 and offers 10 miles of trails, 5 miles of which are periodically groomed.
Literally in the shadow of Lassen Peak, McGowan area trails wander through mixed conifer forest and are popular with beginning to advanced skiers. Elevations range from 5,020 to 6,200 feet. McGowan cross-country ski trails are closed to all motorized vehicles.
NOTE: No OHV riding, nor snowmobiling on this route!
WINTER – snow fall begins as early as November and lasts thru May. Road can be muddy in late spring.
SUMMER – this dirt road is accessible by automobiles during warmer months only and is not gated.
A few dispersed campsites along route 30N16, within the first mile from the pavement (Hwy 32). These precious few camps are usually in high demand during summer months! Head up hill a few more miles, deeper into the forest and find a real secluded site, dispersed style. Campfire Permits are always required for back country fires; found at nearest ranger station USFS in Mineral, CA
The first portion is a 2.1 mile long dirt road follows Nanny Creek about a mile, then it banks left, uphill to meet with 29N22. Sugar Pine Trailhead is located on this upper section of 30N16; a small wooden sign in a dense thicket can be seen on right side of road.
Sugar Pine Trail on GoogleMaps
Junction with 29N22
#30N16 @ wide intersection w/ #29N22 – right turn for McGowan Lake, Christie Hill and the Volcanic National Park.
Road 30N16 continues westbound – Left turn for Heart Lake Trailhead, secluded boondock campsites and eventually, this dirt road ends @ Lassen Road 17 (#31N45) which is also a dirt road (and locally known as the Viola-Mineral Road), connecting Hwy 44 to Hwy 36.
DEEP SNOW can keep these dirt roads closed well into summer months, depending on the snow year. Keep this in mind when planning any early season recreation.
Broke Off Trail Lane intersects this 30N16 road right at the highway (36). It is the hard left that heads steeply up the rocky incline and skirts the highway headed west; Connects to the White Fir Lane road system above the small town of Mineral, CA.
locations nearby:
- Childs Meadows
- Hole in the Ground Campground
- Lassen National Forest
- Lassen Volcanic National Park
- Mill Creek, CA
- Mineral, CA
Only two campsites on north side of bridge, and the rest are on the other side of the river. Algoma Bridge may be closed, so you can park and walk across to reach the campsites. Call ahead to find out current conditions.
(hike in)
nearby destinations: 
Bullards Bar Lake located on the Yuba River, bordering
4×4 trailheads
equestrian trails
Motorized vehicles, such as quads, ATVs, dirt bikes, Jeeps & 4x4s must stick to designated routes signed specifically for OHV (off highway vehicle) & you won’t be finding many of those inside National Parks & State Parks, so it’s best to look for BLM or NF lands. Many regular, forest, back roads close in winter due to heavy snow pack & thus become cross country ski, snowshoe or even snowmobiling trails. The best ones can be found in the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Northern Sierra Nevada mountains is where the granite rock of the Sierra meets to volcanic rock of Lassen Volcano. 
Technically speaking, the Susan River is the top waterway of the Sierra Nevada mountains. 
BLM: Bureau of Land Management
The scenic, giant, public horse pasture listed above is not to be confused with 
provided by them. Certain California 
Desert Slot Canyons – South 
The Needles:
This hidden gem is a hike-in only lake – and well worth the effort. A somewhat short hike, great ridge line views to the east, although the last half mile of this route is a doozie (moderately strenuous).
California Terrain
Coastal hikes are the mildest trails California has to offer, ranging from scenic strolls along the base of beach cliffs to steep redwood forested canyons. From Torrey Pines in San Diego to the multiple redwood parks along the North Coast, there is no shortage of hiking near the coastline. Southern California has more beaches than parks, with tide pool areas being a favorite destination for many. Central Coast has lush, fern canyons with year-round flowing creeks and numerous bluffs and rugged beaches. Bay Area has hiking trails nearly everywhere – along the bay, in the woods or on the coast. NorCal has all the wilderness, parks and remote beaches one could ever hope for. What are you waiting for? Get out there.
If you are fed up with city life, sitting in traffic & need to vacate your mind among the barren hills of California (if only for a weekend), then Total Escape is your place. You seek solitude, peace, maybe a mini tailgate party & BBQ on a dry lake bed, with the heavenly stars above. Imagine the warm camp fire light reflecting off the high canyon walls, your music echoing, moonlight hikes for a few miles.
or C as a backup idea.
No charge camp sites, convenient, in-route locations, many areas along major highways or interstates. 
If you’ve ever tried to travel across the state with a GoogleMap, YahooMap or MapQuest one page printout, you will soon realize the limitations. Stuck in a small town called Julian, at night, on Christmas Eve, arguing with your partner, trying to find your way over to Interstate 10. Not a good plan! A 
When the snow melts in the High Sierra, the rush is on! This is one of the most popular backpacking trips in the Eastern Sierra, as Mt Whitney is the highest peak (14505′ elevation) in the contiguous United States of America.
Further up the coast is the northern section of Los Padres National Forest – which is the mountainous back drop to the magnificent Big Sur coastline. If you are seeking to camp near Big Sur without the fees of a developed Campground, these dirt road ridge lines may be your saving grace… if you don’t mind roughing it. Views over the ocean & coastline are even more spectacular than from Hwy 1, but campfire restriction can be tight in summer & fall months. There are plenty lodging opportunities, historic lodges, cabins or luxury RV parks, located in the small towns along the coast.
Directions:
Ishi Wilderness Map
Mokelumne Map
Another option to this canyon is the East side:
A few miles east Lake Arrowhead on Hwy. 18 is a parking area for Heaps Peak Trailhead & the Arboretum. This small hike takes less than an hour & is the easiest nature trail around. Educational brochures are available & a small donation is requested.
