Jones Whites Creek Loop + Church's Pond (Clockwise)

Dogs Off-leash

Features Commonly Backpacked · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers

Jones Creek Trailhead: Elevation: 6,269'; (N39° 21.570' W119° 51.564') is where you begin and end this hike. Trailhead is up past the Galena Visitors Center. This is a popular hike up to the Overlook, elevation: 8,111'; (N39° 21.997' W119° 53.184') which is a popular turn around spot for some.

50 yards past the Overlook is a trail junction and sign post. Continue straight ahead if you want to include the 1.5-mile round trip hike up to and back from Church's Pond. Otherwise, turn right to continue on the 9.2-mile Jones Whites Creek Loop.

Wintertime-Snow/Ice on the trail - Wear MicroSpikes, this is a popular wintertime hike from Jones Creek Trailhead up to the Overlook and back to the trailhead. I strongly recommend you download this track into your GPS or use the Hiking Project mobile app if you decide to hike this trail with snow/ice on the trail.

Look over at the elevation profile, you'll see a lot of elevation gain the first part of this loop hike. Consider adding waypoints and geo coords into your GPS that I include in this description.

Restrooms with indoor plumbing nearby, however, I don't know if they are open or locked. Water spigots are nearby, however, I don't know if the spigots are open or shut off.

Jones Creek TH to Jones Creek Xing - (N39° 21.725' W119° 51.976' ) ; Elevation 6,515'; ' a gain of 225'; 0.5 miles - This Xing is bone dry, look for the trail sign, turn left and start hiking uphill.

Jones Creek Xing to 1st of 6 switchbacks - 0.9 miles; Elevation gain: 651'

#1 Switchback, up past #6 switchback to Overlook - (N39º 22.006' W119º 53.167') 1.4 miles; Elevation gain 951' - You'll be out of breath when you arrive at the overlook. Be sure to take photos of the breathtaking views and perhaps enjoy a nutrition break BEFORE deciding to proceed or turn around. This is a popular turn-around spot for many hikers.

Overlook to Trail Junction/sign post - 120' and you'll be standing at the Trail Junction/sign post.

Trail Junction/Sign Post to Church's Pond - (N39º 21.745' W119º53.685') Elevation 8,325', 0.7 miles to Church's Pond and another 0.7 miles back down to the Trail Junction/Sign Post. You'll gain 270' going to Church's Pond.

Trail Junction/Sign Post and continuing down the trail on the Jones Whites Loop Trail to a Tributary Xing - (N39° 22.172' W119° 53.909') elevation: 7,525'; you'll hike a distance of 1 mile. This portion of the trail is all downhill, a nice tree canopy all the way down to the Xing. After Xing the tributary, you'll have a scramble up a steep sandy soil slope that is about 40' high. Take your time and be sure of each foothold at which point you'll be back on the trail (see photo of this Tributary Xing). Further downstream, this tributary joins up with Whites Creek.

Tributary Xing to Upper Whites Creek Xing - (N39° 22.409' W119° 54.129'), Elevation 7,520', 0.5 miles, very little change in elevation. This crossing used to have 4 logs across Whites Creek, they're gone, you'll have to look around and pick your own spot to cross.

Upper Whites Creek Xing to Lower Whites Creek Xing - (N39° 22.623' W119° 52.837') - Elevation 6,960'. This will be a challenging stream to cross. A lot of water volume amd velocity, one slip into the water and you'll likely have your feet swept out from under you. Pick your crossing spot carefully and don't slip. You may want to toss some big rocks into the stream to help support your stepping stone Xing. 1.4 miles, you'll descend 602' on this part of the trail.

Lower Whites Creek Xing to Trail Junction/Sign Post - (N39° 22.726' W119° 51.377'); Elevation 6,342' - IF YOU MISS THIS TRAIL JUNCTION/SIGN POST and the trail that branches to the right and goes up, YOU'LL BE HIKING THE WRONG TRAIL.

Trail Junction/Sign Post to where you top out at the Overlook - (N39° 22.531' W119° 51.204'); hike a short distance of 0.3 miles and gain 152' elevation.

Overlook to Y Jct trail sign - (N39° 21.820' W119° 51.734'); Elevation: 6,408', hike 1.2 miles, descent 150'.

Y Jct trail sign to Jones Creek Xing and continue on down the trail to Jones Creek Trailhead/Where you parked - 0.8 miles and descend 250'.