Breckenridge Mountain via Mill Creek Trail in Sequoia National Forest, CA

Hike Breckenridge Mountain via Mill Creek Trail Sequoia National Forest, CA

Class 1 25.2 miles 6200 gain 8-11 hrs Out + Back Jun 2, 2024
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Breckenridge Mountain via Mill Creek Trail GPX Track

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Most peakbaggers interested in Breckenridge Mountain drive up nearly to the summit, but I discovered the existence of the Mill Creek Trail, which ascends much of the way up. I preferred to take this lengthy hike over just driving, and even though the upper portion of this hike requires walking on dirt roads, I enjoyed this outing immensely. Already hot even in the early morning, I brought tons of water that still ended up being insufficient for comfort.

The Mill Creek Trail begins fairly flat, wrapping away from CA-178 and dropping into the Mill Creek drainage. It crosses Mill Creek several times under the cover of beautiful vegetation. For some reason I'd expected to be following the watercourse for a long time, but too soon the trail left the comfort of shade and the ambiance of flowing water and began ascending tight switchbacks up a slope. The trail then briefly dips into the eastern fork of Mill Creek, where I had a final chance to enjoy the water sounds before I bade farewell to the easy introduction of the hike. Now about three miles in, the Mill Creek Trail began to climb more steeply up Breckenridge Mountain's northern ridge.

I was impressed by the level of maintenance this trail seemed to receive, even if it had faded slightly compared to the initial creek hiking miles. While it was clearly not maintained for high visitation, it was easy to follow. Because the trail permits dirt bikes, there's a bit of erosion from tire tracks, though I didn't see anyone all day. Grasses often covered the path, and at this time of year, I was a bit fearful of rattlers. The trail isn't always steep, sometimes introducing flatter sections as the north ridge undulates. There's also some shade along the ascent slope, but it's mostly exposed to the sun.

The Mill Creek Trail eventually ascends into the forest, offering welcomed shade and forest sounds. Well-worn detours have been etched around downed trees that have been neglected for years. The trail continues to climb fairly steeply until it ends at a dirt forest road, the terminus of the Mill Creek Trail. From here I knew the hike would just be a road walk, but as far as road walks go, I wasn't upset. The forest is pretty, and there are sections of grassy meadows that keep the walk interesting. A short section of the road walk followed Breckenridge Mountain Road, a small paved portion. Otherwise, it was an easy dirt walk up to the summit of Breckenridge Mountain.

The gate to the summit radio towers was open, so I hiked up to the top where there were minimal views through the tree cover. I also hiked over to the fire tower where I had some distant views of the Sierra and down into the valley below.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Breckenridge Mountain
7560 ft
3280 rise

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Starting along the Mill Creek Trail.
Starting along the Mill Creek Trail.
View back toward the trailhead.
View back toward the trailhead.
Passing a gate, Breckenridge Mountain visible ahead.
Passing a gate, Breckenridge Mountain visible ahead.
Pretty morning light as I hike along the slope and down into Mill Creek.
Pretty morning light as I hike along the slope and down into Mill Creek.
Crossing Mill Creek.
Crossing Mill Creek.
Nice lush foliage within the Mill Creek drainage.
Nice lush foliage within the Mill Creek drainage.
Another creek crossing.
Another creek crossing.
Image 7 from gallery
Image 8 from gallery
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Image 10 from gallery
The Mill Creek Trail leaves the drainage for a time, climbing the slope.
The Mill Creek Trail leaves the drainage for a time, climbing the slope.
Progress up a slope out of the drainage.
Progress up a slope out of the drainage.
Switchbacks up the initial slope.
Switchbacks up the initial slope.
Some switchbacks up the first real ascent for the hike.
Some switchbacks up the first real ascent for the hike.
The trail enters the eastern fork for a short time before starting the ascent in earnest.
The trail enters the eastern fork for a short time before starting the ascent in earnest.
View back down as the Mill Creek Trail ascends.
View back down as the Mill Creek Trail ascends.
Through a forested gully.
Through a forested gully.
Occasional forested switchbacks.
Occasional forested switchbacks.
Most of the ascent looks like this, switchbacks through a tight trail along brushy slopes.
Most of the ascent looks like this, switchbacks through a tight trail along brushy slopes.
Ascending along the Mill Creek Trail.
Ascending along the Mill Creek Trail.
View back down toward the Mill Creek drainage below.
View back down toward the Mill Creek drainage below.
Breckenridge Mountain is up there somewhere.
Breckenridge Mountain is up there somewhere.
Portions of the ascent are not switchbacks when the ridge is less steep.
Portions of the ascent are not switchbacks when the ridge is less steep.
There's also some shade along the slope.
There's also some shade along the slope.
Image 25 from gallery
Image 26 from gallery
View back.
View back.
A portion that ascends through chaparral, more directly up the ridge.
A portion that ascends through chaparral, more directly up the ridge.
Image 29 from gallery
Breckenridge Mountain is up ahead.
Breckenridge Mountain is up ahead.
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Image 32 from gallery
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Image 34 from gallery
The Mill Creek Trail enters the forest higher up.
The Mill Creek Trail enters the forest higher up.
Grassy ground and plenty of lovely trees.
Grassy ground and plenty of lovely trees.
Some maintenance is done here, it seems.
Some maintenance is done here, it seems.
View back as the trail parallels a creek for a short time.
View back as the trail parallels a creek for a short time.
Onward and upward through the trees along the Mill Creek Trail.
Onward and upward through the trees along the Mill Creek Trail.
Image 40 from gallery
Upper Mill Creek Trailhead.
Upper Mill Creek Trailhead.
I followed the dirt road, which passes a couple of pretty meadows.
I followed the dirt road, which passes a couple of pretty meadows.
Short section of hiking on the paved Breckenridge Road.
Short section of hiking on the paved Breckenridge Road.
Nicely forested road walk tot he summit.
Nicely forested road walk tot he summit.
Progress up to Breckenridge Mountain.
Progress up to Breckenridge Mountain.
A false summit along the way.
A false summit along the way.
Looking back at a junction: straight leads to the lookout tower, behind me is the true summit.
Looking back at a junction: straight leads to the lookout tower, behind me is the true summit.
Breckenridge Mountain radio towers ahead.
Breckenridge Mountain radio towers ahead.
Breckenridge Mountain summit, view west.
Breckenridge Mountain summit, view west.
Breckenridge Mountain Lookout Tower.
Breckenridge Mountain Lookout Tower.
Better views from the Lookout Tower,  view northeast.
Better views from the Lookout Tower, view northeast.
Lookout Tower, view southeast.
Lookout Tower, view southeast.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!