At Diamond Lake, we take in another alpine view, with a swim mixed in for good measure. I would love to do this hike, any idea how dog friendly it is? As always in the Trinities and these remote Northern California locales, I feel a sense of accomplishment and wonder. This is one of my all-time favorite Trinity Alps views! Needless to say, the views from the summit are spectacular. The latter constitutes the west shoulder of Gibson Peak, the mightiest summit in this part of the Trinity Alps. There are many different ways of reaching the Four Lakes Loop but the one of the easiest is probably from Long Canyon trail head. There are a few use trails that cut across the switchbacks. Dusk comes quickly, even on these long summer days. Looking down Long Canyon in the Trinity Alps Wilderness! Luella Lake, Seven Up Peak and Dolomite Ridge. Towards Deer Lake, we are reminded of the depth that is packed into this loop. This is a backpacker’s trail; too far from road access to make it a realistic destination for dayhikers. Season: Summer, Fall. As we gain elevation fast, an incredible scene is developing before our eyes. Trails are easily understood, and the grade never gets too steep, even with backpacking packs. We continue our journey towards these peaks and Deer Creek Meadows. We relax by the lake. This is near the trailhead. They have our favorite food and smoothie options here. On the east side of the canyon rise the towers of Seven-Up Peak and Dolomite Ridge. The trail visits the spectacular four lakes (Deer, Summit, Diamond, and Luella) as it winds around Siligo Peak (8,169’), the summit of which is a quick scramble off the loop trail. From here, the views looking down Long Canyon are spectacular. 7am. The Red Trinities are unique in themselves, because there is only one other mountain range in North America that contains as much. Trailhead Elevation: 3,760 feet (1,146 m). Once Diamond Lake is achieved, the trail turns north and levels off as it passes through a marshy area. Packed into the trail’s 5.2 are the four eponymous lakes, each nestled into their own cirques arrayed on the flanks of towering Siligo Peak. Bear Bin (not required in the Trinities, but more secure than a rope/tree setup! If anyone would like to “buddy up” so we can hike in via Stoney Ridge and out Long Canyon (or vice versa) Please get in touch with me (8015051404. ( Log Out /  This is the hardest part of the trail. After the pass, the rest of the day is a descent down to Long Canyon Trailhead. Along its route, you’ll pass by multiple, stunning alpine lakes, specifically Deer Lake, Summit Lake, Diamond Lake, and Luella Lake. The loop encircles the granite mountain, visiting the four lakes and taking in magnificent views in all directions. The near vertical gulch that separates the two has a peridotite north edge and a granite south edge. It contains some of the best vistas to be found in northwest California, passes some of the prettiest lakes, climbs an excellent peak and is generally exciting in nature, perched precariously high above the four glacial basins it … In the deep valley below is Stuarts Fork, another backpacking trip to discover. In terms of the number of staggering views, the diversity of perspective and environment, the sense of discovery around every turn of the trail and the ease with which all of this is achieved this trail may not have an equal. Diamond Lake and the White Trinities, featuring Sawtooth Peak as the pinnacle on the horizon. DISCLAIMER: Any use of the information contained in this site by any and all persons is done at their own risk. You can learn more about the Trinity Alps Wilderness on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest Website HERE. On to day three! Soon it reaches yet another saddle where what is probably the most stupendous vista on the trail unfolds. Im heading there in a few days! For how mind-blowing that vista point is, optional may turn to mandatory. It should be noted that the clockwise hike does culminate in a steady climb from Deer Creek Meadows up to Deer Lake and then onward up to Deer Creek Pass. The Long Canyon trailhead provides the shortest route to the loop (6 miles one way), but requires a steep climb (about 4,000 feet). The Trinity Alps, as well as the greater Far Northern California wildernesses, provide a refreshing way to spend days away from home. Did this gorgeous loop in July, camping 2 nites at Summit lake. As we enter the quaint and old west-style Weaverville, my anxious excitement grows. Deer Creek Pass view of Siligo Peak, Deer Lake and Caribou Mountain. Shasta, 5 Mount Shasta Area Trails We Need To Build | Hike Mt. I look back towards Deer Lake, and marvel at the color contrasts between rock types. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. A backcountry loop around a magnificent granite peak, visiting four lake basins and dishing up dazzling views every step of the trail. All of the highest peaks in the Trinities: Mount Hilton, Wedding Cake, Sawtooth Peak, ThompsonPeak, Julius Caesar Peak and Caribou Mountain all seem so close one could reach out and grasp them. Redding, the closest city, only has a population of 90K. A short trail leads down to the lake, which lies beneath an unnamed 8,000 foot peak. The granite heart of the Trinity Alps looms large to the west, across the Stuart Fork of the Trinity River. The trail then continues towards Diamond Lake, which had already teased us from Siligo Peak’s vantage point. All too soon, Deer Creek Meadow is left behind and the long climb up to Deer Lake begins. 07/31/2017. Trinity Alps Four Lakes Loop is a 6-mile loop with fairly significant elevation gain and loss (plus and minus 2,000 feet total). Siligo Peak maintains its watch above the lake and the trail provides an impressive view of the granite summit. ... in Trinity Alps Wilderness #623 Overall. Photo Credit: Nicaylen. Eventually another saddle is surmounted and another incredible vista gained. Continuing the Four Lakes Loop past another 3 sparkling lakes in the Trinity Alps Wilderness, the next two days on the trail bring more smoke-free, sunny days and only further cement the impression that this is one of California’s best hidden gems. While we didn’t camp at the lake on this particular trip, it still deserves to be an option! The switchbacks turn east, climbing northward up a shoulder of Siligo Peak. ( Log Out /  These peaks, with Sawtooth Mountain being the jagged centerpiece, are dazzling in the high noon light. I had been dying to go do the Four Lakes Loop in the Trinity Alps. Highlights include alpine lakes, meadows, and the impressive Sawtooth Ridge. The sun is high in the sky, at mid-afternoon, and represents a brilliant summer day. To cap off this memorable day, we lay under the stars, watching the full effect of the Milky Way. This last point is particularly beautiful. As the sun hides behind Siligo Peak, there are a few things to do before we get ready for the sunset and stargazing. Photo Credit: Nicaylen. This is the hardest part of the trail. Yet, the work it takes to pack up camp, get things in order, and backpack to the next objective, is arguably a more rewarding endeavor. Luella Lake is the most inconspicuous of the lakes, hiding behind steep cliff faces from the ridgeline we came down. The 5-mile trail to Big Bear Lake is steep and exposed. ), Pingback: 5 Mount Shasta Area Trails We Need To Build | Hike Mt. The 8.2 mile long Stoney Ridge trail also provides access and is in many ways the preferred approach route because of its incredible vistas from Stonewall Pass, the scenic hike through Van Matre Meadows and the gorgeous camping at Echo Lake. ), For a more detailed description and understanding of what you’ll need for a variety of adventures, check out this article — “. This summer evening still features a hot sun that warms us up quickly. The sharp contrast between the lake and this morning development stirs an excitement for the day to come. The group slowly appears out of our respective dwellings and makes morning conversation. After getting smoked out of Mt Whitney and frantically scrambling to plan an alternative backpacking adventure for the start of our Mountain West/SW road trip, Dad, Eileen, and I ended up driving north from Sacramento this week to explore the Trinity Alps, a subrange of the Klamath Mountains and the second largest wilderness area in all of California. This half paved, half dirt road brings us to our destination, Long Canyon Trailhead. I headed up to the Trinity Alps Wilderness with plans to hike up Long Canyon and do the Four Lakes Loop (again), camping at Summit Lake before looping around past Diamond, Luella, and Deer Lakes and then returning back via Long Canyon. Once again, I am in complete astonishment with the vistas on display. We wanted to hike this trail 4th of July weekend, but with a solid winter that left snowpacks still on the trail, we opted to wait it out until more snow melted. A 5.7 mile one-way hike gets you to the Four Lakes Loop Trail, which is a ~6 mile loop connecting four alpine lakes within a beautiful area of the Trinity Alps. Traverse the bowl above Deer Lake and then climb to the bottom of the south ridge of Siligo Peak. It is awesome. August 14, 2017 July 21, 2017 This trip was long waited. From time to time, towering granite and peridotite structures make their appearance through the rows of pine trees. Trinity Alps Four Lakes Loop via Long Canyon Trailhead Dates: September 1st-3rd 2016 Where: Trinity Alps Wilderness, Shasta-Trinity National Forest in Northern California Permit: Free at Weaverville Ranger Station!! Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email. I take this peaceful time to read a book on the granite dome just above the lake. On the far side of the cirque, near the base of Siligo Peak the trail finally switchbacks up to a pass. The Four Lakes Loop, from Deer Creek Pass. The foreground features Deer Lake and Siligo Peak to its left. This would give us a full three-days to take in the views. Seven-Up Peak and Dolomite Ridge tower majestically to the east. Red Mountain, a peak intimately associated with the Stoney Ridge Trail, rises in the distance beyond Summit Lake. As mentioned before, this one is our favorite lake, and the view pretty much says it all. So after showing the trail to Adam we decided to go for it. Day 3 features an optional, short scramble to the top. View topic - Canyon Creek/Boulder Creek Lakes - Trinity Alps - 5/10-11/14. Once there, the little amenities offered clearly show how remote we are. but it is not excessively steep and the presence of raucous Deer Creek is refreshing. Summit Lake is hidden in an alpine bowl. We pack up camp at Deer Lake and say our goodbyes. The grade is never unreasonable and the uphill at the end of the trail is a small price to pay for all the great views enjoyed while hiking. +/- 9,100 feet with a starting elevation of 2,900 feet and a peak elevation of 7,500 feet. Now you're in for an easy day through the forest … Trip overview: ~25 mile out and back (plus a 7 mile day hike) from the Stuart Fork Trailhead in the Trinity Alps Wilderness area. The climb up to Deer Lake handed it to me as I melted in the heat, wondering if I could still call myself a runner. There’s a fork in the trail at the meadows. If coming from Oregon, Yreka will be the turn off unto Route 3, and then head south to Long Canyon. Photo Credit: Nicaylen. The lake is tucked into a small bowl next a precipice above the Stuart Fork Canyon. Once back at the top of the pass, relax for a bit, content to have just enjoyed one of the finest trails around. This is a terrific place to reminisce on the day, watch the sunset, meditate, appreciate the good things in life, and/or just laugh with friends. The nature of the trail, slung across the flanks and encircling Siligo Peak, means that nearly every bend of the trail reveals some new vista, either of one of the lake basins or off in the distance, of the rest of the Trinity Alps. Directions: Turn onto Route 3, in the heart of Weaverville. Trinity Alps Wilderness . As we approach the summit block of Siligo, I begin to dream of all the alpine lakes scattered below those high, white granite structures. The last feature at this section is the waterfall off the Deer Lake outlet. Between here and the next pass, is Siligo Meadows — a junction between the Stoney Ridge route, which is another route to the Four Lakes Loop. The views from the pass are exceptional and ought to be savored before beginning the roller-coaster of the Four Lakes Loop. 8am. This emblematic peak is the central point of the Four Lakes Loop and can be seen from the entirety of the trail. Redding to Long Canyon Trailhead. The granite is mesmerizing, and invites full attention to the intricacies of each ridgeline. Deer Lake, with Siligo Peak hanging under an evening cloud. Quick Summary: The beautiful Four Lakes Loop is 5.2 miles itself, but you’ll have to hike out and back to get to the loop. For how little attention the Trinity Alps get, these panoramic landscapes feature world-class mountains, lakes, and wilderness all around. With plenty of time left in the day (being that it’s not even 11am yet), we drop our heavy backpacks and bring only water bottles/snacks to the top. Seven-Up Peak is a classic Red Trinities peak made of red peridotite. The old-fashioned streets speak to the mysteriousness of this whole region. This rounds out the incredible vista points seen over the entire trail. The Trinity Alps’ Four Lakes Loop trail is one of the most memorable, thrilling trails anywhere in Northern California. This trip was a bit questionable from the planning stage. Campground: Minersville Group Camp, on the Stuart Fork Arm of Trinity Lake. I poked Reid’s head, beckoning him to turn around and marvel at the glory of the warm dawn glow. Tumbling creeks, lush, expansive meadows, massive cliffs and brightly colored rocks all flesh out the constantly changing landscape explored by the Four Lakes Loop. Elevation Gain: 2,050 feet Looking north, along the route to the summit of Siligo Peak. I had to carry a 65 lb lab out about 3 miles yesterday in 90+ degree temps because she went lame on the trail. This was basically a repeat of a trip I took last fall, with the addition of Boulder Creek lakes, and some great weather. There are always new views to see. The greater valley, where Redding is located, can be seen all the way to Mt Lassen and the Cascade Range. Red and orange hues fill the sky, constantly reminding me of how incredible nature is. The last two are among the most magnificent in the entire Trinity Alps and if hiking the Four Lakes Loop in a counter-clockwise direction the incredible sights are all to the back of the hiker and consequently diminished. There's a reason this is the most popular part of the Trinity Alps. Photo Credit: Nicaylen. June 27, 2020. We planned to traverse the “white” section of the Trinity Alps, the part of the range that’s above the treeline. This route, the Four Lakes Loop via Long Canyon, is considered by many to be one of the most stunning backpacking/hiking routes in the Trinity Alps (see AllTrails LINK for 80+ reviews). We take a turn onto Route 3, towards the campground at Trinity Lake. Before the descension down to Luella, we take one last look at the southern view of the Trinity Alps. One of … As a rule of thumb, a loaded backpacking pack should not weigh more than about 20 percent of your body weight. The Four Lakes Loop can be accessed via four different trails. The Trinity Alps are fantastic. The Hike: Lake Anna and the Four Lakes Loop (Trinity Alps, California) Trailhead: Long Canyon Duration: 5 days 4 nights, lollipop (in and out w/ loop) Length: 23 miles w/ Four Lakes Loop - 17.3 w/o Total Elevation Gain: 7550' w/ Four Lakes Loop - 5150' w/o The Pack: Jason- Osprey Exos 58 / Chy- REI Valhalla Sleep System: Jason-… Siligo Peak is the first obvious feature. All too soon, Deer Creek Meadow is left behind and the climb up to Deer Lake begins. Tumbling creeks, lush, expansive meadows, massive cliffs, and brightly colored rocks, all flesh out the constantly changing landscape explored by the Four Lakes Loop. The sun travels fast through the sky, finding its horizon right behind the White Trinities. To be clear, you do not need all these items for a Four Lakes Loop summer excursion, but it still helps to know what you have! Trinity Alps Wilderness. We never cease to take in the views here, as well as share experiences. In the backdrop is Caribou Mountain and other peaks beyond Stuarts Fork Valley. Kristy Brady. The trail leading up to Seven-Up Gap can be seen faintly in the distance. Login. This trip takes you to the crest of the eastern portion of the Trinity Alps: the peridotite-stained Red Trinities. Mornings: I eat pre-made packs of granola, fruit, and nuts. Turn left to do the Four Lakes Loop clockwise. The shift in rock types is sudden and dramatic. From our summit of Siligo Peak to a refreshing dip in Lake Luella, this is truly a wonderful start to my long … At this point on our journey, we have dialed in our morning routines, which makes each moment in the backcountry that much more special. However, it is better to hike the trail clockwise, since this puts all the best vistas in full view, rather than behind the hiker. But here it is, at last. To the west, the heart of the Trinity Alps cuts into the horizon, far across the canyon through which flows the Stuart Fork of the Trinity River. The stars in Northern California are especially bright, because light pollution is less in this part of the state. Instead, people generally establish a base camp at one of the lakes (usually Deer Lake) or in the nearby Siligo Meadows. What is the best time of year? Trinity Alps Wilderness Four Lakes Loop (2015 Recap Video) - Duration: 5:15. In keeping with the alpine camping tradition, a swim is in order. The Loop switchbacks down below Siligo Peak to Diamond Lake. It does not hurt that Siligo Peak is advantageously located between the granite core of the Trinities and the large block of dramatic peaks beginning in the south at Red Mountain and extending north to Caribou Mountain. Dog friendly if your dogs are not elderly like one of ours! The grand view remains prominent throughout the descent, constantly changing perspective as the lake is approached. Photo Credit: Nicaylen. I peer out of my tent to find an impressive alpenglow – a bright orange array on the slopes of Siligo Peak. But, with the minimal elevation presented for most of the loop, it is welcomed as a refreshing challenge. The two most popular trailheads for this hike are Long Canyon and Stony Ridge. Be careful and have a plan B if you take your pups out (and don’t forget to take care of their poop! Four Lakes looked like it would take a lot out of us. Most of grades climbing out of the lake basins are moderate. The massive granite bulk of Siligo Peak again towers above, this time to the south. Bee Tree Gap, at Siligo Meadows! Siligo Peak is the focal point of the Four Lakes Loop, one of the most scenic and interesting trails in the Trinity Alps. Because these packs will be relatively heavy, at around 25-30 pounds, intention is key. We hit the ridgeline above Diamond Lake, where the trail rapidly drops in elevation. Pit Stop: VisitTrinity is a good resource for shops. Snow often lingers on the trail in this north-facing basin. Trip overview: The Four Lakes Loop is a ~20 mile out and back backpacking trip from the Long Canyon Trailhead in the Trinity Alps Wilderness area.A 5.7 mile one-way hike gets you to the Four Lakes Loop Trail, which is a ~6 mile loop connecting four alpine lakes within a beautiful area of the Trinity Alps. Change ). In terms of the number of staggering views, the diversity of perspective and environment, the sense of discovery around every turn of the trail and the ease with which all of this is achieved this trail may not have an equal. The rapid decline that happens down Long Canyon makes for an easier day overall. One side goes back to Deer Lake, and the other to Stuarts Fork or Swift Creek Trail. Enter your email address to follow Hike Mt Shasta and receive notifications of new posts by email. Especially ones that are surrounded by a mesmerizing mountain terrain. TheMattBourbon 168 views. At any rate, the views are phenomenal. In terms of the number of staggering views, the diversity of perspective and environment, the sense of discovery around every turn of the trail, and the ease with which all of this is achieved, this trail may not have an equal. To the south, Deer Creek Pass, the loop’s terminus can be seen, with the granite towers of Gibson and Siligo Peaks standing guard over the pass. 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