Skip to main content
ForestMatters, LLC

Long Valley Trail

Plumas National Forest, California · 3 min read

Distance
4.5 mi
Elevation Gain
400 ft
Difficulty
easy-moderate
Route Type
Out-And-Back
Best Season
May through October
Dog Friendly
Yes
Difficulty Score
3 / 10

Trailhead Amenities

Restroom
None
Parking
No Lot
Cell Service
Limited
Water
Nearby
Camping
None
Google MapsApple Maps

Conditions, regulations, and fees change frequently. Verify with the local ranger district before your trip. Full disclaimer

At a Glance

  • Open meadow hiking with views toward the Sierra Nevada crest
  • Mixed forest and grassland providing diverse wildlife habitat
  • Good wildflower display in May and June on the meadow margins
  • Accessible from Quincy, the main gateway town
  • Cooler temperatures than foothill trails in summer

Overview

The Long Valley Trail offers an accessible introduction to the Quincy area of Plumas National Forest, traversing open meadow and mixed forest with views toward the Sierra crest. The 4.5-mile out-and-back is one of the easier options in the forest, with gentle terrain and the meadow character that distinguishes this part of the Sierra from the granite-dominated high country to the south.

No permit required.

The Route

Miles 0 to 1.5: Meadow entry. The trail begins at the forest road pull-off and enters the Long Valley meadow almost immediately. The meadow is broad and open, with a small seasonal creek threading through the lower sections. Mule deer graze the meadow margins in the early morning. Views of the surrounding forested ridges are excellent.

Miles 1.5 to 2.25: Forest and creek. The trail enters a mixed conifer section beyond the main meadow, following the creek corridor through white fir and ponderosa pine. The creek provides consistent water sound and some shade on warm afternoons.

Mile 2.25: Turnaround. The trail reaches a second, smaller meadow that serves as the natural turnaround. Retrace the route back to the trailhead.

When to Hike

May and June for wildflowers. July and August for comfortable temperatures. September and October for fall color on the aspen patches around the creek.

What to Bring

Many hikers carry 1 to 1.5 liters of water. Creek water is available but requires treatment. Sunscreen for the open meadow sections. Layers in the morning.

Trailhead Access

Quincy-LaPorte Road west of Quincy, about 8 miles from downtown Quincy.

Practical Details

No permit is required for day hiking on this trail. Dogs are welcome on leash. No restroom facilities are at the trailhead; plan accordingly. Water sources are present along the trail but require treatment before drinking. Cell service is limited in this area; downloading offline maps before your visit is recommended.

The recommended season for this trail is May through October. Conditions outside this window may include challenging weather, trail closures, or reduced accessibility. Always verify current conditions with the Plumas National Forest ranger district before visiting, particularly at the beginning and end of the recommended season when conditions are most variable.

Before any visit, review the Leave No Trace seven principles and our checking conditions guide for current fire restrictions, trail closures, and ranger district advisories. The America the Beautiful pass covers day use fees at developed recreation areas where applicable. Veterans and active military have additional access options covered in our veteran benefits guide.

Nearby

The Feather Falls Trail is the dramatic waterfall destination in the same forest. The Gold Lake Loop provides the high-country experience. Follow Leave No Trace principles in the meadow.

Trailhead Parking

Long Valley Trailhead off Quincy-LaPorte Road, west of Quincy. Gravel pullout for 8 vehicles. No fee.

← Back to Plumas National Forest

More Trails in Plumas National Forest

moderate-hardloop

Bucks Lake Wilderness Loop

11 mi2,400 ft gain
July through October

An 11-mile loop through the Bucks Lake Wilderness in Plumas National Forest, traversing mid-elevation Sierra Nevada forest, granite ridges, and remote lake basins above Bucks Lake.

3 min read

easyloop

Butterfly Valley Botanical Area Trail

2.5 mi150 ft gain
May through September

A 2.5-mile interpretive loop through the Butterfly Valley Botanical Area in Plumas National Forest, famous for its carnivorous pitcher plants, rare wildflowers, and sphagnum bog habitat.

3 min read

moderateout-and-back

Feather Falls National Recreation Trail

9.5 mi1,800 ft gain
April through June

A 9.5-mile out-and-back to Feather Falls, one of the highest waterfalls in the continental United States at 410 feet, through mixed conifer forest in the southwestern foothills of Plumas National Forest.

3 min read

moderateloop

Gold Lake Loop

6.5 mi900 ft gain
July through October

A 6.5-mile loop through the Lakes Basin Recreation Area in Plumas National Forest, connecting multiple glacial lakes on a ridge circuit with views of the Sierra Buttes and the Gold Lake high country.

3 min read

moderate-hardout-and-back

Hartman Bar National Recreation Trail

6 mi2,100 ft gain
May through October

A 6-mile out-and-back descending into the Middle Fork Feather River canyon in Plumas National Forest, ending at a gold rush-era mining bar with swimming holes and superb steelhead fishing.

3 min read

moderateout-and-back

Haskell Peak Trail

4 mi1,200 ft gain
July through October

A 4-mile out-and-back to the volcanic summit of Haskell Peak (8,107 ft) northeast of Gold Lake in Plumas National Forest, with views across the northern Sierra and into Nevada.

3 min read

strenuousout-and-back

Mount Elwell Trail

7 mi2,100 ft gain
July through October

A strenuous 7-mile out-and-back to the summit of Mount Elwell (7,818 ft) above the Gold Lake Basin in Plumas National Forest, with 360-degree views of the northern Sierra Nevada.

3 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Long Valley Trail good for wildflowers?
Yes. The meadow margins along the Long Valley Trail are productive for spring wildflowers, particularly from late May through mid-June when lupine, mule ears, and various composites bloom on the drier grassland areas. The wetter meadow areas support iris, shooting star, and meadow paintbrush. The trail passes through one of the more accessible wildflower meadows in the Quincy area.
What wildlife is common on Long Valley Trail?
Long Valley supports good populations of mule deer, black bear, and wild turkey. The open meadow provides habitat for hawks, including red-tailed and ferruginous. Coyotes are heard and occasionally seen along the meadow margins at dawn and dusk. Osprey sometimes use the larger wet areas. This is one of the more productive wildlife-watching trails in the Quincy area of Plumas.
Can I continue past the 4.5-mile turnaround point?
The maintained trail continues beyond the out-and-back turnaround described here, eventually connecting to other forest roads and trails. Hikers comfortable with off-trail navigation can continue further into Long Valley, but the terrain becomes more remote and the trail less maintained. For most day hikers, the 4.5-mile option provides a satisfying experience without requiring navigation skills.