01
Best big-view ridge walk
Crane Mountain National Recreation Trail
Fremont–Winema North Of Town • High-Elevation Ridge Trail • Best For Experienced Day Hikers
A long, airy ridge hike with sweeping views over the Warner Mountains and high desert basins to the east and west.
Starting from the southern end of the Crane Mountain trail system, you quickly climb into open timber and then onto a narrow crest with almost continuous views. The tread is well-defined but rocky and exposed in places, making it a better choice for hikers comfortable with longer mileage and steady elevation gain. On clear days you can spot distant Nevada ranges and the agricultural patchwork around Alturas far below.
02
Classic South Warner backpack
Summit Trail to Patterson Lake
South Warner Wilderness • Alpine Lake And Meadow Route • Top Pick For Overnighters
A signature South Warner Wilderness route that strings together high meadows, open ridges, and a picturesque alpine lake basin.
From the Pepperdine or Patterson trailheads southeast of Alturas, the Summit Trail climbs gently through forest and aspen pockets before breaking out into broad, flower-filled meadows. Patterson Lake sits in a high cirque backed by cliffs and snowfields well into summer, making it an excellent base for a mellow overnight or a long out-and-back day. Expect classic wilderness touches—stock use, few signs, and big night skies once the sun drops behind the ridge.
03
County high-point challenge
Eagle Peak from Patterson Campground
Eagle Peak Backcountry • Long Summit Push • For Strong Peak-Baggers
A demanding route to the highest point in Modoc County, combining maintained trail with a steep, off-trail finish.
The route to Eagle Peak begins on the same Summit Trail used for Patterson Lake, then branches toward the main crest for a big, committing day. After a long approach on good tread, the upper slopes turn rougher and steeper, with loose rock and off-trail navigation to reach the summit ridge. In return you get a true big-mountain feel and a 360-degree panorama over the Warner crest, Lake City canyon, and the wide Modoc Plateau stretching toward Oregon and Nevada.
04
Quick forest escape
Cedar Creek Trail at Cedar Pass
Cedar Pass East Of Alturas • Shaded Creekside Path • Good For Casual Hikers
A shorter, more sheltered hike that follows a cool creek drainage into the lower Warner foothills.
Just a short drive up Highway 299 toward Cedarville, the Cedar Creek Trail offers a welcome change from open sagebrush into mixed conifer forest. The grade is moderate and the scenery intimate, with the sound of water, mossy rocks, and patches of wildflowers in spring and early summer. It makes a solid choice for families, dog walkers, or anyone easing into the local trail system without committing to high mileage or big elevation.
05
Big-sky rim walk
Red Tail Rim Trail
West Of Alturas Near Canby • Sagebrush Rim And Bluff Trail • Scenic Half-Day Outing
A rolling rim-top route with broad vistas over canyons, juniper flats, and the Pit River corridor.
The Red Tail Rim Trail trades alpine terrain for wide-open country, following a basalt rim west of Alturas with frequent overlooks. The singletrack undulates through juniper, bitterbrush, and lava outcrops, offering good chances to spot raptors riding the thermals along the cliffs. With flexible turnaround points and generally moderate grades, it works well as a half-day hike when you want big views without heading deep into the high mountains.