Trinity Alps

All posts tagged Trinity Alps

Trinities In Proximity: Two Trinity Alps Trails With Easy Access From Mount Shasta

Posted by bubbasuess on July 26, 2013
Posted in: Hiking, Klamath Mountains, Lakes, Meadows, Mount Shasta, Rivers, Trinity Alps, Wilderness. Tagged: , , , , , . 1 Comment
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Big Bear Lake in the Trinity Alps.

The Mount Shasta area is blessed with an overabundance of great hiking options, both on Mount Shasta itself and in the mountains and river canyons that immediately surround it. Many may not feel the need to venture beyond this amazingly beautiful area and it is easy to understand why. However, for those with the bug to explore a little further there are several incredible mountain ranges just outside Mount Shasta’s vicinity. The largest and most spectacular of these other ranges are the Trinity Alps. Soaring granite towers, clear lakes, roaring rivers and massive waterfalls are all found in a vast wilderness that exceeds 500,000 acres. Indeed, by most standards, this is Northstate’s premier wilderness area. No other mountain region in California, north of the Sierra Nevada, offers the chance to disappear for weeks on end without retracing steps and covering the same ground. The Trinities boast hundreds of miles of trail, all of which are scenic and are usually spectacular. Unfortunately, it is the very vastness of the Trinity Alps that makes them a difficult place for day hikers to explore. Most of the best trails require an overnight trip or longer in order to reach the destination, let alone have the time to appreciate it.

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The Trinity River, on the drive from Mount Shasta.

Fortunately, the two trails closest to Mount Shasta are easily done as day hikes, though they make good overnight destinations too. Of all the many trails in the Trinity Alps, the Bear Lakes and Tangle Blue Lake Trails are the most easily accessed from Mount Shasta. The trailheads for both trails are only a one hour drive from Mount Shasta City. For comparison, it takes about an hour to reach the Clear Creek and Brewer Creek trailheads on the east side of Mount Shasta. Both of those require miles of driving on dirt roads. In contrast, the Bear Lake Trail is possibly the most accessible of all Trinity Alps trailheads, with only a few hundred yards of dirt road. The Tangle Blue Lake Trail only requires 3.5 miles dirt road. The drive itself is incredibly scenic, climbing over Parks Creek Pass by Mount Eddy, where amazing views of the Trinity Alps unfold to the west, before following the Trinity River from its headwaters all the way down to where the river meets Highway 3. It is so scenic that the drive is worth doing for its own sake and boasts numerous hiking and camping opportunities along the way.

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Mount Shasta viewed from the Bear Lakes Basin.

The trails themselves lead to premier destinations. The Bear Lakes Trail is the grander of the two, leading to a massive granite basin. Two cirques are tucked away at the back end of the basin, each containing a lake. Big Bear Lake is one of the largest in the Trinity Alps. Though smaller, Little Bear Lake may exceed its larger sibling is scenic qualities. Just below Big Bear Lake is a large series of open, granite slabs over which tumbles Bear Creek in a series of refreshing cascades. Like much of the Trinity Alps, the whole area is very reminiscent of the granite terrain in the Sierra Nevada. Tangle Blue Lake is a bit more subdued but is exceptionally scenic nonetheless. Rather than the stark beauty of the granite cliffs and large, deep lakes, the Tangle Blue area is filled with refreshing meadows and springs. Large granite cliffs are still present, especially at the south end of the lake, but it is complimentary to the lake, rather than the massive cliffs at the Bear Lakes, which tend to overpower the scene. Of course, the trail into Tangle Blue Lake is shorter and easier, so one does not have to work as hard in getting there. Either way, both lakes are classic Trinity Alps lakes and make great day trips from Mount Shasta.

Bear Lakes Trail

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Little Bear Lake.

Alone among the trails in the Trinity Alps, the Bear Lake Trail travels alongside the main branch of the Trinity River. From the trailhead, the path loops down to the river and crosses over Bear Creek before climbing up the gully on the far side of the creek. From there the trail makes a few swithbacks and begins a steady ascent up the Bear Creek drainage, running parallel to the creek for a mile. After crossing a bridge over the creek near some pretty waterfalls, the trail begins a long series of switchbacks up a ridge that runs between Bear Creek and an unnamed tributary. Eventually the trail straightens out and continues to follow Bear Creek again. After crossing some clearings caused by avalanches and passing through some small meadows clinging to the side of the canyon, the route emerges into the open granite basin that contains Big Bear Lake. Alongside the trail, the creek cascades over open, granite slabs. Mount Shasta looms far to the east. The path finally ends near the creek’s outlet at the east end of Big Bear Lake. The 1,300 foot granite cliffs surrounding the lake are magnificent. Returning to the slabs, a cross-country route leads to lovely Little Bear Lake and the underappreciated Wee Bear Lake. Both are worthy of the effort to reach them.

Tangle Blue Lake

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Tangle Blue Lake.

The hike to Tangle Blue Lake stays in close proximity to Tangle Blue Creek for the duration of the hike into the lake. The first portion of the hike follows an old road with numerous opportunities to scramble down to the creek and enjoy the cool, clear water. Eventually the road fades out and the route becomes single track. After passing a small meadow the trail crosses the creek and makes a gradual climb uphill to a crossing of Marshy Creek, which originates in Big Marshy Lake, located 1,000 feet higher up the canyon wall from where the trail is. Beyond the crossing the Tangle Blue Lake Trail enters a large, lovely meadow where the granite towers above the lake become visible for the first time. After crossing the creek again, a short, final climb leads to another meadow and Tangle Blue Lake. Granite cliffs form an inspiring backdrop behind the lake, which is ringed with verdant meadows.

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The driving route from Mount Shasta to the trailheads for the Bear Lakes and Tangle Blue Lake Trails.

Switchbacks To Heaven: The Trinity Alps’ Stoney Ridge Trail And Four Lakes Loop

Posted by bubbasuess on June 22, 2013
Posted in: Hiking, Klamath Mountains, Lakes, Trinity Alps, Wilderness. Tagged: , , . 13 Comments
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Diamond Lake and the Trinity Alps, on the Four Lakes Loop.

The Four Lakes Loop is one of the finest trails in the Trinity Alps, showing off its quartet of beautiful lakes with graceful confidence. Of course, the Four Lakes Loop is not the amazing trail it is only because of its lakes but also its perfect arrangement of stone and meadow, forest and cliff, peak and basin. It offers up all of these delights and then boasts some of the most magnificent views in Northern California. All of the features are arranged in ideal fashion as though the trail was designed to be a backcountry themed ride at an amusement park. Each turn of the trail reveals a new attraction, be it creek, canyon, peak, meadow, lake and cliff. All of the tremendous scenery of the Four Lakes Loop is had for surprisingly little effort. It is a roller coaster trail, climbing into and out of four lake basins slung on the flanks of granite Siligo Peak, but the grade is never steep and the effort is moderated by the constantly staggering vistas.

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Middle Peak, near Echo Lake on the Stoney Ridge Trail.

Unlike most of the trails in the Trinity Alps, the Four Lakes Loop is not accessible directly via a trailhead on the outskirts of the Trinity Alps Wilderness. Instead, it is necessary to backpack into the loop area and set up a basecamp. The distance from civilization is part of the Loop’s charm. It is accessed by four different trails, each of which connects to a number of other locations. Two trails, the Deer Creek Trail and the Granite Lake Trail are only useful if connecting the Loop to longer trips through the Trinity Alps. The Deer Creek Trail joins the Stuart Fork Trail so a trip to Emerald and Sapphire Lakes can also be joined to the Four Lakes Loop. The same can be said for the Granite Lake Trail, which forms a nice loop with the trail through Bear Basin. A steep series of switchbacks drop down into the Deer Creek Meadows where they link up to the lowest point on the Four Lakes Loop. Both of these trails are not very useful for reaching the Loop directly. To do that, it is necessary to hike the Long Canyon or Stoney Ridge Trails. Long Canyon is the shortest route and very scenic but it is steep and, as scenic as it is, it misses the numerous highlights through which the Stoney Ridge Trail passes. It is this last route that is the ideal route by which to access the Four Lakes Loop.

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Four Lakes Loop area from the Stoney Ridge Trail.

The Stoney Ridge Trail is a case-study in delayed gratification. A long series of switchbacks tests the patience of backpackers as they climb through dense forest up toward Stonewall Pass. Beyond the pass they are rewarded for their efforts with alpine paradise. The trail passes through meadows, over creeks and passes wonderful Echo Lake, which makes a great basecamp from which to hike the Four Lakes Loop. As if the immediate surroundings were not beautiful enough, far-ranging views abound on the Stoney Ridge Trail. Once atop Stonewall Pass, every step of the trail brings new sights and vistas, all of which combine to make the ideal route to access the Four Lakes Loop.

Stoney Ridge Trail

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Red Mountain and Van Matre Meadow on the Stoney Ridge Trail.

Afflicting hikers with 57 switchbacks at the outset of the trail should be enough to purge all but the dedicated from this stairway to alpine paradise. Staying under the forest canopy for much of the climb, the trial finally breaks out of the cover at Red Mountain Meadows, just prior to climbing Stonewall Pass. Beyond the pass, the route continues through lush Van Matre Meadows before climbing up to beautiful Echo Lake, which has both a spectacular rocky basin and an incredible view into the heart of the Trinity Alps. Beyond Echo Lake the trail surmounts Little Stonewall Pass and then drops down through peak-rimmed Siligo Meadows. One final climb above the meadow to Deer Creek Pass brings an end to the Stoney Ridge Trail and the beginning of the Four Lakes Loop.

Four Lakes Loop

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Luella Lake, Seven Up Peak and Dolomite Ridge.

Starting at Deer Creek Pass, where the two typical access trails (Stoney Ridge and Long Canyon Trails) meet, the Loop traverses the upper portion of Deer Lake’s cirque. A short climb over a pass brings views of blue Summit Lake, the largest of the four lakes that surround Siligo Peak. There is also a short route leading to the summit of Siligo Peak and great views. A little further brings another set of switchbacks dropping down toward elegant Diamond Lake and one of the greatest views of the Trinity Alps, as the white towers of the Canyon Creek area loom beyond Diamond Lake and the canyon of the Stuart Fork of the Trinity River. Another climb up switchbacks yields views of delicate, azure Luella Lake. Beyond the lake, Seven Up Peak and Dolomite Ridge hover above the grassy expanse of Deer Creek Meadow. From the meadow the long climb up to Deer Lake and Deer Creek Pass begins but its difficulty is mitigated by tumultuous Deer Creek and the views of the granite giants on either side of the trail. Once back on Deer Creek Pass, the Loop is done, but the wonders of the Stoney Ridge Trail still await the return home.

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Caribou Lakes: Trinity Alps On A Grand Scale

Posted by bubbasuess on June 11, 2013
Posted in: Hiking, Klamath Mountains, Lakes, Trinity Alps, Wilderness. Tagged: , , , . 2 Comments
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Caribou Lakes and the granite heart of the Trinity Alps.

With the exception of Mount Shasta, the Trinity Alps are the most majestic and scenic mountain range in the California Northstate. The Trinity Alps Wilderness, which is a vast 525,636 acres, is one of the wildest corners of California. Here one finds mountains on a grander scale than any other mountain range in California, outside of the Sierra Nevada (and Mount Shasta, of course, but that is a solitary mountain, and excels against every mountain in the state, even the great captains of the Sierra Nevada). There are many great destinations in the Trinity Alps and it is debatable which is the greatest. However, by any metric, the Caribou Lakes must be considered near the top of the list, if not at the very top by themselves. This is alpine scenery at its finest and grandest with lots of white polished granite, enormous, deep lakes, verdant meadows and a vista to rival scenes in the most scenic of mountain ranges.

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Lower Caribou Lake.

Caribou Lake is the largest lake in both the Trinity Alps and the entire Klamath Mountains. At 72 acres, it exceeds its nearest competitor by at least 20 acres. Lower Caribou Lake, occupying a deep granite bowl below the main lake measures an impressive 30 acres, enough to rank it near the top of the list of lakes in the Trinities in terms of size. Snowslide Lake, the smallest of the main lakes in the Caribou Basin is nearly as large. Numerous smaller tarns litter the basin, providing private soaking pools for weary backpackers. Weary is what any who reach the basin must be. It is over 9 miles from the trailhead to the lakes via the New Caribou Trail, the easier of the two routes leading into the basin. This effectively prohibits access to the lakes to all but the most fit and extreme of day hikers. This is not a bad development since scenery this amazing is not totally off the radar. It filters out the less dedicated and reduces the number of folks who make it to this special place.

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The Stuart Fork vista.

The Caribou Lakes Trail has two of the most iconic views found anywhere in the Trinity Alps. One, from the top of the headwall above Caribou Lake looks down into the Stuart Fork of the Trinity River. The serrated towers of Sawtooth Peak preside like a monarch over the region while massive Emerald and Sapphire Lakes, stunningly large lakes in their own right, are cradled in a gargantuan granite bowl. To the south, the Stuart Fork flows toward the Trinity River while the great spires of Sawtooth Ridge gouge at the sky. This is a stunning and unforgettable vista. The other iconic view comes from the top of the Old Caribou Trail, as it reaches its apex atop the great shoulder of Caribou Mountain. Here the vast Caribou Basin spreads out below, with Caribou and Lower Caribou Lakes looking unforgivably distant after the hard climb necessary to reach the view. Beyond the lakes, the high peaks of the Trinity Alps, particularly the peaks of the granite heart of the range, line the horizon, a wild an inaccessible land.

Details for the Caribou Lakes Trail can be found here.

Trails Beyond Mount Shasta: Trinity Alps

Posted by bubbasuess on June 6, 2013
Posted in: Hiking, Klamath Mountains, Lakes, Trinity Alps, Waterfalls. Tagged: , . 1 Comment

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The obvious intent of Hikemtshasta.com is offer the most complete coverage of the exceptional hiking opportunities on and around Mount Shasta. It is not my desire to overextend the site or to deviate from its core purpose of covering the trails in the immediate Mount Shasta area. However, there are several amazing places within easy reach of Mount Shasta that are exceptionally scenic and deserving of thorough documentation. The focus of Hikemtshasta.com will always be on the great mountain’s close vicinity but it would be a shame if the other regions in Mount Shasta’s outer orbit were left unacknowledged on this site. The difficulty comes with trying to meet the goal of being exhaustive. There are a few thousand miles of trails in the surrounding wilderness areas and other destinations. Documenting all of these routes is a massive undertaking and will certainly be a very lengthy endeavor. Still, if for no other reason than to raise awareness of the outdoor resources and stunning landscapes found in the California Northstate, it seems like the natural move to expand Hikemtshasta.com’s scope.

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Upper Canyon Creek Falls.

Chief among the extraordinary areas a little further afield from Mount Shasta are the vast and spectacular Trinity Alps. The eastern fringe of the Trinities are only 30 miles to the west and are prominently visible from numerous trails in the Shasta area. These mountains are part of the expansive Trinity Alps Wilderness, which is just under 550,000 acres. This is one of the the most wild and rugged regions in California and a place so vast it is easy to lose oneself in the backcountry for weeks. The mountains are exceptionally scenic with huge granite peaks, deep glacially scoured canyons and valleys, dozens of alpine lakes, extensive alpine meadows, unusual bright red peaks all combined with a sense of deep isolation. For the first post on trails in the Trinity Alps, the obvious choice was the Canyon Creek Trail. It is the most popular trail in the Trinities and it is certainly one of the most scenic. This trail has it all: massive granite peaks, a large, roaring creek, huge waterfalls, meadows and gorgeous alpine lakes. This trail is one of the finest in all of Northern California.

Although I do not have a timetable for the rollout of additional areas that will be covered on Hikemtshasta.com, I plan on covering hikes in the Marble Mountains, the Siskiyous, the Warner Mountains, the Modoc Plateau, the Lassen area and the southern Klamath Mountains, which includes the Yolla Bolly Mountains. I may even expand into southern Oregon a bit. All of these will be found under the “Further Afield” category in the “Trails” drop down menu and and at the bottom of the trails listed in the sidebar. This is a pretty daunting task that will be years in the making, but I hope that it will help folks appreciate this part of California and make great memories in the area’s majestic mountains.