Sugarloaf Creek

Lakehead, California

California

Free — you'll pick up right here.

No verdict for this water

We won't guess. Here is exactly what we do and don't know.

What we do know

  • Inside Shasta-Trinity National Forest

    2 managing-area boundaries mapped — agency alerts for them feed this page automatically.

    Boundary data

What's missing

  • No access route mapped

    We don't yet know which road reaches this trailhead, so we can't tell you if it's gated.

Nobody's filed a report here yet — be the first.

Why you'll love it

3.5 mi run
Seasonal — can run dry
31 cfs avg flow

River facts

Water
Seasonal — can run dry
Average flow
31 cfs
Average current
1.1 ft/s
Gradient
348.3 ft/mi
Drainage area
7 sq mi

Long-term averages modeled by USGS (NHDPlus HR), not today's conditions. Check a gauge before you go.

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Sugarloaf Creek

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Photos

Directions & GPX

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Permits & access

Managing agency
Forest Service

About this water

Sugarloaf Creek is a 3.5-mile paddling stretch near Lakehead, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 31 cfs and a gradient of about 348.3 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Facts about this water

When to go

Typical monthly averages (not a forecast) from the Shasta Dam, CA weather station, 11 mi away. High / low in °F.

  1. Jan55° high40° low
  2. Feb59° high42° low
  3. Mar63° high44° low
  4. Apr70° high48° low
  5. May79° high55° low
  6. Jun88° high63° low
  7. Jul97° high69° low
  8. Aug96° high68° low
  9. Sep90° high63° low
  10. Oct78° high55° low
  11. Nov62° high46° low
  12. Dec54° high41° low

The station sits about 1,200 ft lower than this spot, so expect it to run cooler up here.

Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020

Where it is

Managed by
Forest Service

Source: USFS EDW boundaries; USGS PAD-US 4.1

Conditions

Active alerts for Shasta-Trinity National Forest as of Oct 10, 2026:

Source: USFS forest alerts

Nearby

Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)

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Keep exploring — more water worth the drive

Dog Creek

~8 min drive

Dog Creek is a 6.3-mile paddling stretch near Lakehead, California. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 84 cfs and a gradient of about 179.8 feet per mile.

Sugarloaf Boat Ramp

~6 min drive

A worthwhile stop near California.

Minersville Campground

~31 min drive

A worthwhile stop near California.

Clear Creek

~12 min drive

Clear Creek is a 30-mile paddling stretch near French Gulch, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 673 cfs and a gradient of about 104.3 feet per mile.

Antlers Boat Ramp

~8 min drive

A worthwhile stop near California.

Cooper Gulch Campground

~34 min drive

A worthwhile stop near California.

Slate Creek

~17 min drive

Slate Creek is a 11-mile paddling stretch near Lakehead, California. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 136 cfs and a gradient of about 331.8 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Bailey Cove Public Boat Ramp

~16 min drive

A worthwhile stop near California.

North Salt Creek

~18 min drive

North Salt Creek is a 7.1-mile paddling stretch near Lakehead, California. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 109 cfs and a gradient of about 187.3 feet per mile.

Packers Bay Public Boat Ramp

~16 min drive

A worthwhile stop near California.

Guided trips nearby

Local operators near Lakeheadoffering guided trips. You book directly with them — Roamze doesn’t take a cut.

Headwaters Adventure Co

Kayaking business nearby (~21 mi away) — hasn't claimed their Roamze page yet

View operator