Take your time and you’ll be alright! Find the perfect Trinity Alps stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. While Canyon Creek Lakes are popular, they are a beautiful spot with granite slabs coming down the lake shore and excellent views of the Wedding Cake and Thompson Peak up the Canyon. Number of Schools. Descending from Mount Hilton, there was one uncertain section to cross a cliffy barrier into the next drainage. Trinity Alps Wilderness has more than enough to satisfy hikers, campers, bird watchers, nature and other outdoor land recreational enthusiasts. These mountains are impressively rugged and due tot their geographical location, they contain elements of the Cascade mountains to the north (lush vegetation) and the High Sierra to the south (pristine granite). This region is somewhat off the radar, as most choose to visit the famed southern neighbors in the Yosemite-Sequoia corridor. Trinity Alps Wilderness This is the route I followed for a week. Next time I’m in the Trinities I hope to possibly include Caesar Peak in the traverse or climb Sawtooth Peak across the Canyon. The views from this last summit of the day, and highest point in the Trinity Alps, were marvelous. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. This section is varied and fun, and certainly repeatable for others looking for a good adventure, provided you have the right skills and are comfortable with prolonged class 4 scrambling. We didn’t have much trouble finding water– a 1.5L running vest was more than sufficient. From here, you have the option of either dropping down all the way to Deer Lake and following the loop counterclockwise, or staying high and traversing clockwise to Summit Lake. The descent from Thompson Peak to Canyon Creek Lakes was spectacular with inspiring views the entire way, especially looking back up towards the traverse I had just completed. From here, hike up the ridge 1.9 miles to a high point at 7000 feet. The final push is a scramble up to Grizzly, which looks like Mother Nature’s infinity pool. The Alps is the best supported hiking and trekking destination in the world. The total route was Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. ( Log Out /  We wanted to optimize for beauty, so we connected three lake basins that are all worth a visit – Grizzly, Mirror, and Four Lakes Loop. Icon of Mazamas text with a border. Trinity Alps. The Trinity Alps Wilderness contains a total of 550 miles of maintained trails. At the core of the Trinity Alps is section of high, white granite peaks known as the White Trinities. With a fraction of the visitors, the Trinity Alps offers equally stunning scenery. The trails are well kept, with very few down trees, almost no heinous bushwacking sections, and many flowy sections. I traversed over the ridge crest at a saddle south of the Wedding Cake and used a class 3 chute on the northwest side of the Wedding Cake to climb this rock formation, which has more amazing views. Trinity Alps, Trinity Alps Traverse. After five fast miles down Stuart Fork trail, you’ll start a big climb up two thousand feet to the well-known Four Lakes Loop. Strava route here. Remember, get the latest trail and trailhead conditions at the Trinity Alps Wilderness – 30th Anniversary Celebration page and by calling 530-623-2121 and then pressing “1.” That number is also the place to call if you want wilderness permit information or you want to talk to a live person about your trip. Details Upcoming. Either way, I will definitely be returning since the Trinity Alps Traverse was an amazing route! Yeah, great photos. May 9, 2020 Coronavirus Lockdown Hike Series: Issaquah Alps Tiger Mountain Trail Traverse: High Point to Hobart Murat’s Bridge / High Point Creek West Tiger Mountain No. Despite surreal views, we only saw a few groups. At the core of the Trinity Alps is section of high, white granite peaks known as the White Trinities. There are many possibilities for 20-40 mile runs, especially if you’re willing to do some off-trail hiking to connect trails. After Lower Canyon Creek Lake I jogged most of the way back to the trailhead. I climbed Thompson Peak early in the season in 2009 finding substantial snow above Canyon Creek Lakes. This section is stunning with rugged unnamed peaks and spires towering above on ridge crest and sweeping views of the pristine granite slopes to Canyon Creek Lakes below. The Trinity Alps are a spectacular subrange within the Klamath Mountain Range in northwestern California. I found a loose ramp that was perched over cliffs that worked but looking back a route further down the ridge might have been an easier and faster way through this barrier. After the Wedding Cake I descended a little lower and found easy traversing on granite benches to Thompson Peak and then picked a route further to the west that I knew would be on more solid rock and faster than the sandy slopes on the south side of Thompson. It is a small, out-of-the-way best suited to avid waterfall collectors. After a few restless hours of sleep, we made coffee and drove to the starting trailhead. We started at China Gulch Trailhead on the northwest side of the wilderness and finished at Long Canyon Trailhead on the southeast corner. Icon of a mountain with a flag planted on top. We did bring packabe bowls and cool vests for the dogs, made by Ruffwear. Background: I’ve been hunting for an adventure buddy to do a 45-day thru-hike of the Great Himalaya trail with me in 2020. Read more about the Trinity Alps HERE The fires have taken their tolls over the years, but there is regrowth everywhere. I enjoyed the scene with a group who had ascended via a camp at Canyon Creek Lakes. Getting There. The Trinity Alps are pristine, remote and my “happy place”. After the Wedding Cake I descended a little lower and found easy traversing on granite benches to Thompson Peak and then picked a route further to the west that I knew would be on more solid rock and faster than the sandy slopes on the south side of Thompson. Over the years I have day hiked, and overnight camped up in the Trinity Alps over a dozen times. 2 – No. https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/california/trinity-alps-wilderness/backpacking Numerous loop hikes are available, requiring three to five days to complete. Click here to get a spreadsheet of California high schools. I traversed over the ridge crest at a saddle south of the Wedding Cake and used a class 3 chute on the northwest side of the Wedding Cake to climb this rock formation, which has more amazing views. Solitude can be found in the Trinities even on the busiest weekends, but don’t expect to have Canyon Creek Lakes to yourself! So, if you plan to run the Trinities, expect a point-to-point mission. The largest of these cirque glaciers is immediately below Thompson Peak and due to the dry winter was virtually all bare ice with many active crevasses. From Boulder Creek Lakes it’s over 3,000 feet up to the summit of Mount Hilton. Surveying the slopes, my primary objective was to avoid thick brush which seemed pervasive on the lower part. Craggy Mountain and Eagle Peak are the only named peaks in the Trinity Alps portion of the Scott Mountains. Great photos. ( Log Out /  At the core of the Trinity Alps is section of high, white granite peaks known as the White Trinities. The smooth white granite is interspersed with grassy meadow benches and small cascading streams, a delightful setting. Good water all the way from Deer Creek. After Lower Canyon Creek Lake I jogged most of the way back to the trailhead. Once past the barrier, I worked my way up to another shoulder and then an awesome “granite highway” section ensued for 2+ miles. Oct 20, 2016 - The Trinity Alps are a spectacular subrange within the Klamath Mountain Range in northwestern California. From here, we headed off-trail, climbing the shoulder of the lake up to a col. After following a few cairns uphill we soon found ourselves on a boulder field, greatly slowing our pace. If, however, you plan to continue on this trail to Granite Lake, a peek at Swift Creek Falls is worth the stop. With nearly two decades of backcountry travel under one's belt, what does it take to for a trip to become one of their best ever? Detailed posts about backpacking and day hiking Trinity Alps Wilderness trails. 425 likes. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Icon of map pin. Four hours from the nearest metro or major airport and well off the busy I-5 corridor, the Trinities don’t have the acclaim that the neighboring Sierra and Cascades have collected, despite being filled with jagged peaks, scenic trails, and turquoise lakes. Trinity Alps, CA - Late Summer 2001. These mountains are impressively rugged and due tot their geographical location, they contain elements of the Ca… Logistics: Without many established routes, we made up our own. ( Log Out /  Some friends climbed in the Trinity Alps when they were young and I know they liked it, but this looks amazing. View calendar. Managed by the US Forest Service, the area is primarily used by locals for hiking and backpacking, but rarely considered a trail running destination–which, as far as I’m concerned, is a big oversight. While Canyon Creek Lakes are popular, they are a beautiful spot with granite slabs coming down the lake shore and excellent views of the Wedding Cake and Thompson Peak up the Canyon. And from the captions it sounds worth the trip out there. Hidden in the northwest corner of California, the Trinity Alps are far from a household name, even for avid adventurers–but don’t let that fool you. On that trip I admired the long serrated ridge between Thompson Peak and Mount Hilton. Fortunately, from here on out the trails are smooth and entirely runnable. Enjoy the high granite around Caribou Lake and the subtle beauty of Packer’s Peak. Unfortunately, the trail drops way down before starting the long slog of a climb up to the lake. Jun 1, 2016 - The Trinity Alps are a spectacular subrange within the Klamath Mountain Range in northwestern California. The Trinity Alps Unified School District high school list above should give you more information on how to choose the right school or contact any of the schools in the Trinity Alps Unified School District. Nearly all the peaks (Craggy being one … Trinity Alps Wilderness Beckoning You to the Next Turn. Strava route here. The views from this last summit of the day, and highest point in the Trinity Alps, were marvelous. Swift Creek Falls is a small 20 ft. cascade along Swift Creek in the Trinity Alps Wilderness. Once on the summit of Mount Hilton, I was greeted to a lovely view of the surrounding area, including the traverse to Thompson Peak, Sawtooth Peak across Canyon Creek and Mount Shasta in the distance. Either way, I will definitely be returning since the Trinity Alps Traverse was an amazing route! I need to get down there! Next time I’m in the Trinities I hope to possibly include Caesar Peak in the traverse or climb Sawtooth Peak across the Canyon. Eventually, the terrain opens up with alp meadows and easy talus climbing toward Mount Hilton’s class three summit block. Anyone who has spent time in the relatively contained swath of Klamath Mountain stand-out peaks known as the Trinity Alps is well aware the range is a gem among gems. Climb Route. It offers dazzling mountain scenery, hundreds of glaciers, abundant waterfalls, comfortable accommodations, superb cuisine—and it’s all so accessible by trains, trams, funiculars, and a network of well-marked mountain trails. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. We started at China Gulch Trailhead on the northwest side of the wilderness and finished at Long Canyon Trailhead on the southeast corner. Because there are few loop options, expect some type of shuttle for any run you do. Andy Cochrane is a freelance writer, photographer and producer that lives out of his Tacoma with his dog Bea. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. The Trinity Alps Wilderness, nestled between the Coastal Range and the Cascades, is located 50 miles west of Redding in Northwest California. ( Log Out /  The Trinity Alps High Route is a mostly cross country route in an area known as the Whites or Caribous. Shuttle: Our shuttle was about two hours, so plan accordingly. Written by guidebook author John Soares, who has been exploring the Trinity Alps for over forty years. Canyon Creek Trail is one of the most popular backpacking routes in Trinity Alps Wilderness. This journey will be challenging! About 4,623 acres (1,871 ha) are administered by the Bureau of Land Management. In fact, it took only a little over a half an hour to reach Thompson Peak from the Wedding Cake. Four years later I decided it was time to return to do this amazing traverse and climb the three named summits on the ridge – Mount Hilton, the Wedding Cake, and Thompson Peak. The total route was 31 miles and 9,000 feet of gain.Gear: If you’re looking to duplicate our journey, I’d suggest a kit with gaiters, poles, and if it’s early season or you’re uncomfortable on snow, some microspikes. High Giant Traverse + Buck Mtn + Mt Cleator + Mt Berge – September 3, 1984 ——————– Full Trip Report ——————– The “High Giant Traverse” is a splendid sub-alpine traverse from Buck Creek Pass to High Pass to Little Giant Pass, with some options for route variation through the middle portion. These mountains are impressively rugged and due tot their geographical location, they contain elements of the Ca… Miles of trails into the mountains provide memorable hiking and horseback riding, while abundant camping facilities provide a place to pitch camp for family outdoor fun. Topping out at just over 9,000 feet, the height of the Trinity Alps is not impressive when compared with the Sierras, but their higher latitude and proximity to the Pacific Ocean allow for significant winter snow accumulation and the existence of a few small glaciers. The ascent to Boulder Creek Lakes from the junction with the Canyon Creek Lakes Trail is on fairly rugged, steep trail but it’s less than 2 miles to the lakes from the junction. Hilton. Select from premium Trinity Alps of the highest quality. It traverses a dramatic glaciated granite canyon and passes numerous subalpine lakes. This section took longer than expected as we fought our way to a more developed trail. The Trinity Alps section of the Klamath Mountains Ecoregion is botanically outstanding by having the second greatest number of conifer species of any place in the world. Thompson Peak, left of center and the rest of the high peaks of the Trinities loom high above Canyon Creek. You could shorten this by picking different trailheads, but you’d have to miss some of the best parts of the run. Boulder Creek Lakes are tiny but they are situated in a beautiful granite basin with Sawtooth Peak as a backdrop. My routefinding was pretty effective as I was able to pick my way through steep slabs instead of brush. When: Saturday 9/15/2019 to Sunday 9/16/2019. These came in handy in the warm summer afternoon. Smith Lake, Morris Lake, and Sawtooth Mountain (photo by Tim Sims) Be Informed. Finally reaching the far side of the lake, we were excited to run again. Distance: 40ish miles of hiking, 0.25 miles of rafting. The Trinity Alps Wilderness is a 525,627-acre (212,714 ha) designated wilderness located in northern California, roughly between Eureka and Redding.It is jointly administered by Shasta-Trinity, Klamath, and Six Rivers National Forests. The fires have taken their tolls over the years, but there is regrowth everywhere. The smooth white granite is interspersed with grassy meadow benches and small cascading streams, a delightful setting. Friends of the Trinity Alps, Northern California. There are no upcoming instances. The Trinity Alps Long Canyon to Emerald Lake continues down Deer Creek. The descent from Thompson Peak to Canyon Creek Lakes was spectacular with inspiring views the entire way, especially looking back up towards the traverse I had just completed. Fortunately, once I left Boulder Creek Lakes I would see nobody until the summit of Thompson Peak. The only downside is that the trails rarely form convenient loops. The route traverses through the highest lakes, ridges and peaks in the Trinity Alps Wilderness. Change ). The first large climb is through a large burn. What: Modified Trinity Alps High Route Trip. The climbers' trail stays close to the water outlet from Mirror and is easy to lose, so take your time. After six miles, the trail breaks into the subalpine just below the lake. Trinity Alps. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! After a dip in Mirror Lake, we continued downhill to Sapphire Lake. Take note that the road to China Gulch is quite windy, which made us a bit carsick. Complete photo album here. We plan on hiking to the summits of Thompson’s Peak, Gibson’s Peak and Mt. Seventeen miles of the Pacific Crest Trail run through the northern part of the wilderness. It reminds me of the Wallowas a little bit. Over the years I have day hiked, and overnight camped up in the Trinity Alps over a dozen times. This section is stunning with rugged unnamed peaks and spires towering above on ridge crest and sweeping views of the pristine granite slopes to Canyon Creek Lakes below. Once past the barrier, I worked my way up to another shoulder and then an awesome “granite highway” section ensued for 2+ miles. Russian Peak, in the Russian Wilderness just north of the Trinity Alps, has the greatest number of conifer species in North America. In fact, it took only a little over a half an hour to reach Thompson Peak from the Wedding Cake. As you get closer to Mirror Lake you’ll find some game trails, although they are far from perfect. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. https://pantilat.wordpress.com/2013/09/12/trinity-alps-traverse 3 Saddle Fifteenmile Gap Custer’s Bridge / Fifteenmile Creek West Side Road #1000 crossing Hobart Gap ——————– Trip Report Summary ——————– Region: Central Washington Cascades […] Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. We planned to traverse the “white” section of the Trinity Alps, the part of the range that’s above the treeline. We spent the next four miles crossing a large snowfield, rock hopping, wading through thick brush, and downclimbing many boulders. They spend their time searching for trails to run, mountains to ski and the best ramen in the West. The Trinity Alps are pristine, remote and my “happy place”. It plots out to only 25 miles; however it will feel like 100 miles with the elevation ups and downs, the off trail rock work, snowfield traverses, and route finding challenges. Low and high elevation: 4000 feet Difficulty: Easy. Trinity Alps Wilderness USFS Trinity Alps Wilderness - Trails and Lake Information Northern California Hiking Trails Blog Easy Trails Lake Eleanor & Shimmy Lake - Easy 4.25 miles 1/2 mile to Lake Eleanor 3.75 miles to Shimmy Lake Big and Little Boulder Lakes Boulder Lakes Union Creek to Union Lake Slide Creek (First 2 miles)… I started out the day by ascending the Canyon Creek Trail which has some nice runnable sections. But oh so rewarding. You’ll find in-depth trail descriptions of several top destinations, including Canyon Creek Lakes, Big Bear and Little Bear Lakes, Caribou Lake, and much more, all with trailhead directions, trail maps, and photos. There is a lot of elevation gain and loss through here, as there is no easy way to traverse the Alps. We planned to traverse the “white” section of the Trinity Alps, the part of the range that’s above the treeline. I enjoyed the scene with a group who had ascended via a camp at Canyon Creek Lakes. There's a junction with the Bear Creek Trail that goes up a little higher and then down Bear Creek about 4 miles to Swift Creek. Once I ascended into a flat meadow area it seemed as if there was a tent at every corner (along with illegal fires). On top of this ridge, you can see into the next valley and up to Grizzly Lake. For those without experience navigating off-trail, this route might not be the best. Once you get to the fork in the trail at the main loop, you have options to take the longer (and arguably more scenic) way around, or to hightail it home. We packed a variety of salty and sweet treats– a couple thousand calories each for a long day of running, scrambling, and route finding– and threw in a couple of packs of beef jerky for the dogs, too. The Trinity Alps Traverse begins on the north side of the Trinity Alps Wilderness, travels on a more or less north /south route through the entire wilderness, and exits on the south side of the wilderness. The Trinity Alps Wilderness, ... From the pass, make a short traverse across until you reach an overlook of Deer Lake. Strava route, 2013 Adventure Recap | Leor Pantilat's Adventures, Trinity Alps High Route Part III: Wedding Cake, Mount Hilton & Boulder Lakes | Leor Pantilat's Adventures. Start with an offbeat destination, full of views, flora, fauna, everything but crowds. Labor Day weekend is a busy time for the Canyon Creek drainage, easily the most heavily used area in the Trinity Alps. The Pacific Crest Trail makes its only appearance in the Trinity Alps here, traversing nearly 19 miles of the Scott Mountains crest. Easily the most popular backpacking routes in Trinity Alps is the best the scene a! Tiny but they are far from perfect satisfy hikers, campers, watchers. 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