A tranquil Big Chico Creek flows through Upper Bidwell Park. (Image: Kathryn Reed)

It’s been an “official” hiking trail since 1967, but who knows how many years it was used by fishers plying the banks of Big Chico Creek as they cast their lines.

The Yahi trail in Upper Bidwell Park never disappoints. Yahi is the name of an Indian tribe that once flourished in this region.

While the park was established in 1905, it took a few decades for the city of Chico to make this an official trail in the park. It’s gone through a few changes and could use some work today.

A knotty trunk on a sycamore. (Image: Kathryn Reed)

The stairs that were built many moons ago west of Alligator Hole are not useable. It would be best if the concrete were removed and either a dirt or rock path took it’s place. While this is for a short section, it is a bit of an eyesore.

Nonetheless, this trail provides some of the most stunning natural beauty in Bidwell.

The five of us started our Veterans Day hike at parking lot E, walked the Upper Park Road a bit before turning off at the big sign for Yahi.

A mix of terrain along the Yahi trail. (Image: Kathryn Reed)

Much of the actual trail is single track dirt, though at times it’s possible to walk two-abreast. The changing of the seasons was evident with the colorful display of leaves.

Most of the way we could hear Big Chico Creek. With all that rain we got last year and little bit this fall, there is still plenty of water.

Big Chico Creek seems to go on forever. (Image: Kathryn Reed)

Farther up, though, it’s like the creek is at a standstill. Not a ripple to be seen.

Basalt rock in places seems to frame the water, with the golden grassy hills farther up like a border around this swath of Mother Nature’s glory.

We opted to take Upper Park Road back to the vehicle. We logged about 3.7 miles, though the entire round trip (from the parking lot to the end and back) is about 8 miles.