California · Hiking

French Hill

5.4 mi
round trip
1,621 ft
climb
2,020 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Apr–Jun, Oct
best months

Is French Hill open right now?

No closures listed

The Forest Service lists no closures for Six Rivers National Forest.

As of · Source: USFS · Six Rivers National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

French Hill is a moderate hike in the Gasquet Ranger District of Six Rivers National Forest in northern California, managed by the Forest Service. The out-and-back trail is about 5.4 miles long, with a one-way climb of roughly 1,621 feet from a low point near 390 feet to a high point of about 2,020 feet. Bikes and horses are both allowed on the natural-surface trail. Late spring and early fall tend to be the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show May highs around 76°F with lows near 42°F, and September highs around 87°F with lows near 44°F. That station sits well below the trail, so temperatures on the hill run cooler. Panther Flat Campground is about 1.8 miles away, and Stony Creek is about 0.8 miles off. The Elk Camp Ridge hike is about 2 miles away, and the Smith River offers paddling about 4.4 miles away.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Apr–Jun, Oct

    Best time to visit French Hill

    Best months: April–June and October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      49° / 32°

      17 wet · 1 snow

    2. Feb

      55° / 33°

      15 wet · 1 snow

    3. Mar

      60° / 34°

      16 wet · 1 snow

    4. Apr

      67° / 37°

      12 wet

    5. May

      76° / 42°

      8 wet

    6. Jun

      83° / 46°

      4 wet

    7. Jul

      94° / 52°

      2 wet

    8. Aug

      94° / 49°

      1 wet

    9. Sep

      87° / 44°

      3 wet

    10. Oct

      72° / 39°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      55° / 36°

      15 wet

    12. Dec

      47° / 33°

      18 wet · 1 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Cave Junction 1 Wnw, OR, 27.4 mi away at 1,377 ft. The station sits about 600 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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