Bizz Johnson and Southside Trail Loop

This challenging 21.2 km (13.2 mile) loop is estimated to take approximately 5 hours and 44 minutes to complete. However, your actual hiking time may vary depending on your pace, breaks, and how much time you spend enjoying the scenery.

The loop offers a diverse experience. The Bizz Johnson Trail section is generally wide, smooth, and flat, built on an old railroad grade with packed gravel and dirt. It has a gentle grade, making it relatively easy. In contrast, the Southside Trail is a more rugged singletrack with steeper grades and loose gravel, providing a more challenging and technical hike. You'll encounter both smooth paths and sections requiring more careful footing.

The trail is particularly stunning in autumn when the black cottonwood, grasses, and willows along the Susan River display vibrant colors. A seasonal footbridge at Devils Corral, typically in place during summer and fall, also allows for easier completion of various loop options. Spring and early summer are also good, offering pleasant temperatures before the peak heat.

Yes, dogs are generally welcome on the Bizz Johnson and Southside Trails. As with most trails, it's important to keep your dog on a leash, especially given the potential for wildlife sightings and other trail users.

No, there are typically no permits or entrance fees required to hike the Bizz Johnson and Southside Trail Loop. The Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail is managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and access is generally free. You can find more information on the BLM website.

You can access the trail from several points. Popular starting points include trailheads in Susanville. The Goumaz trailhead also offers a developed campground and parking. The eastern 7 miles from Susanville are particularly accessible.

The trail is rich with history and natural beauty. You'll cross the Susan River numerous times via 12 bridges and trestles and pass through two unlit tunnels, including the East Tunnel Bridge. There are also remnants of the region's railroad and logging past. Don't miss the View of Bizz Johnson Trail at Twins Bridge for scenic vistas.

The loop winds through the rugged Susan River Canyon, transitioning from semi-arid landscapes to upland pine and fir forests. You might spot wildlife such as deer, beaver, porcupines, and coyotes, especially during dawn or dusk. Over 100 bird species have been documented in the area. The autumn colors are particularly spectacular.

Yes, the route primarily follows sections of the Bizz Johnson Trail. The Southside Trail runs parallel to the Bizz Johnson Trail, and there are multiple connector trails between the two, allowing for various loop possibilities. You'll also encounter small sections of an overlook trail.

Given the contrast between the smooth Bizz Johnson Trail and the rugged Southside Trail, you can tailor your experience. Many hikers choose to hike the easier Bizz Johnson Trail for part of the way and use connector trails to experience sections of the more challenging Southside Trail. This allows you to adjust the difficulty and length of your hike. Consider starting on the Bizz Johnson Trail if you prefer a gentler warm-up.

Yes, primitive dispersed camping is available at least one mile west of Hobo Camp. There's also a primitive campsite at Cheney Creek and a developed campground at the Goumaz trailhead, offering options for overnight stays close to the trail.