Manzanita Creek
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
Fallen trees across the trail near the meadow require scrambling over and under obstacles — watch your footing on mossy logs, and be aware the route can become unclear where multiple blowdowns force detours.
The marshy meadow is prime mosquito territory from snowmelt through mid-August. Head netting and DEET are not optional if you plan to linger.
Trail Details
- 1
Start from the Manzanita Lake trailhead parking area, which fills up by mid-morning on summer weekends — but most of those visitors are heading to the lake loop, not down this trail, so the path itself stays empty even when the lot is packed.
- 2
The marshy meadow at the end can be soggy well into August. Gaiters or waterproof trail runners will keep your feet happier than standard hiking boots for the final half-mile stretch.
- 3
Bring a sit pad and lunch to the meadow clearing — it's one of the quietest lunch spots in the park, and if you sit still for ten minutes you'll likely spot flycatchers, woodpeckers, and possibly a black bear browsing at the meadow's edge.
