Rural living and outdoor recreation draw buyers to Post Mountain
Situated in the Klamath Mountains of Trinity County, Post Mountain is a rural community in Northern California where seclusion is an embraced way of life. Entirely residential and 16 miles from the nearest town, Hayfork, homes in Post Mountain sit on several acres and are surrounded by the tall, dense frames of pine trees. "It's very, very country, really what I'd call isolated. Mainly people move there now for a relaxed, quiet way to be, and to do some homesteading," says Rollin Trehearne, a Realtor with Ming Tree Inc. who's been assisting homebuyers for just over five years. He is a lifetime local of the Trinity County area. "It's not for everyone, but for the right buyers, it's a perfect way to go. The area is just beautiful, and there's a ton of outdoor recreation in the county."
Homes range from midcentury cabins to newer builds on acreage
Dirt roads wind their way throughout Post Mountain, shaded by dense woodland and passing by the occasional property. Houses are spaced far apart from each other in the community, with privacy and rural quiet two of the area's defining features. Post Mountain has a few established communities, such as the Trinity Pines subdivision, and the area comprises mainly ranch-style homes and cabins that sit on large parcels of land. Construction dates vary, with some cabins having been built in the mid-20th century and others in the recent 21st century. Smaller homes can sell between $60,000 and $100,000, while larger, renovated properties or newer housing usually sell for $135,000 to $350,000. Post Mountain's CAP Index Crime Score is 2 out of 10, below the national average of 4. Due to the community's dry climate and abundance of pine trees and brush, it's at an elevated risk of forest fires.
Diverse recreation on forested land and rushing waters
Post Mountain's landscape is highly rugged, and it's one of several peaks in the Klamath Mountains. While the community is primarily comprised of green space, it's largely unmaintained, so many locals will head off the mountain for recreation, aside from biking and riding ATVs. "Outdoor recreation is huge in Trinity County," Trehearne says. "Hiking is a huge pastime, because you're right near the national forest. Within 65 miles, you've got three major lakes for boating and such." Nearby Ewing Reservoir in Hayfork is surrounded by a 2-mile path, and anglers can fish at the lake. Trehearne notes that the Trinity River, which flows through the region, is renowned for its whitewater kayaking and rafting opportunities. Portions of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, which covers over 2 million acres, spread into Trinity County. From Post Mountain, locals can access expansive trails for hiking and mountain biking within about a 25-mile drive.
Hayfork has the nearest stores and restaurants for locals
Post Mountain's rural nature means there are no shopping centers or chain restaurants, but a 16-mile drive into neighboring Hayfork is where locals can find essentials. Lined along State Route 3, which cuts through Hayfork, are the town's independent businesses. Restaurants on this stretch include Cali Jay's BBQ and Casa de Castellanos, serving traditional Mexican food and housed in an eye-catching pink building. Ernie's Department Store offers a wide range of products, from household goods to outdoor items, and groceries can be picked up at Wiley's Supermarket and Hayfork Discount Groceries.
Nearby community-focused schools
The Mountain Valley Unified School District serves Post Mountain and receives a B from Niche. All schools are in the nearby community of Hayfork, and kids can start out at B-plus-rated Hayfork Elementary, which teaches kindergarten through eighth grade. Students move on to C-rated Hayfork High, which has several sports teams that made it to recent Northern Section California Interscholastic Federation Div. 7 section championships. Both schools are heavily intertwined with the community, hosting events such as family open nights and student-run plant sales.
Getting to bigger towns and cities via major state routes
Post Mountain is bordered by State Route 36, and it intersects with Route 3. The neighboring community of Hayfork is 16 miles away via Route 3, while the city of Redding is 66 miles away via Route 36. The Redding Regional Airport provides select, direct flights on United and Alaska Airlines. The closest medical center with a 24-hour emergency room, Trinity Hospital, is 46 miles away in Weaverville.
