Directions:
From I5 in Redding head east on the Oasis road exit. Take a right on Bear Mountain road. The road will come to a three-way stop. Take a left and continue
on Bear Mountain road. About a mile up the road there will be a slight split. Stay to the right and follow the road which turns into Jones Valley.
The road bends around the south side of the lake and ends at the parking area. There's a few turnouts along the road just before the parking lot where
there's enough room for a few vehicles. You can park in the lot or the turnouts.
The Trail:
Cross the parking lot over to the west side and look for the trail sign. Ignore the trail just before the parking lot this is where the loop ends. Start the trail
and head a few miles to where it intersects back on the paved road. Cross the road and head right a few feet and the trail picks back up some switchbacks.
This is probably the biggest climb on the trail. Once over the hump the trail bends around the lake for the last 6 miles or so. The trail gets a bit
rocky towards the last half, but nothing too technical. One thing to look for during the summer months would be the poison oak overgrowing parts of
the trail. There's one slight climb towards the end and before you know it you're back at the parking area where you started.