I recommend doing it as an overnight trip. (R8W - T37N - S21) Hobo Gulch to Grizzly Lake: A long 19-mile hike from the trailhead at Hobo Gulch will get you to this large alpine lake, which sits at the base of Thompson Peak, the tallest peak in the Trinity Alps. The water was too high and moving too rapidly for us to get safely across. Sapphire and Emerald Lakes are nestled comfortably among granite ridges in the heart of the Trinity Alps. Known as the Queen of the Alps, Smith Lake sits upon her throne near the top of Sawtooth Mountain. The lake itself is stunning, and offers amazing views of the valley below. The uphill begins a short distance past the crossing. Overall an epic trail and alpine oasis :-), Alpine lake is an incredible place. First, after passing the Trinity Alps Resort, the road turns to dirt. Stuart Fork Trail, Trinity Alps. We got to Alpine Lake and saw the epic campsite (follow the cairns!). (R8W - T36N - S14) Longer Hikes Bear Lakes: This isolated group of lakes offers moderate seclusion and spectacular views. Alpine Lake Trail is a 26.9 kilometer lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Trinity Center, California that features a lake and is only recommended for very experienced adventurers. Definitely worth it! One of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. The scramble is walking through the waterfall run off granite trail. For my group of friends, we planned our trip to depart … The landscape of the Trinity Alps is quite diverse. I will say that the way to The trailhead can be a little confusing. Smith Lake, surely one of the most beautiful lakes in the Trinity Alps, rests on the south side of Sawtooth Mountain, just below Morris Lake. The Trinity Alps Wilderness Area was designated a national wilderness area in 1984 and stretches over half a million acres, one of California's largest wilderness areas. Highlights include alpine lakes, meadows, and the impressive Sawtooth Ridge. Before embarking on this adventure call the Weaverville Ranger station to check snow levels as well as the flow of the Stuart Fork River. Alpine & Smith Lakes - Trinity Alps Wilderness Distance = ~22 miles Stuart Fork Trailhead to Alpine Lake = 8 miles one-way Stuart Fork Trailhead to Smith Lake - 10 miles one-way Stuart Fork Trailhead to Alpine Lake © 2020 Outdoor Project. Attempted this as a day trip after camping at the campground near the trailhead. Alpine Lake is nestled against 2,000-foot granite ridges in the southwestern section of the Trinity Alps Wilderness. The Trinity Alps Wilderness can be divided into three regions: Green, Red, and White. Before embarking on this adventure call the Weaverville Ranger station to check snow levels as well as the flow of the Stuart Fork River. The outflow from these bodies of water mark the beginning of the Stuart Fork Creek, which meanders through mountains and meadows until it enters Trinity Lake. From the turnoff, the trail becomes steeper but the sights from the top are well worth the effort. The Best Winter Adventures in North America. Also, if you backtrack from the lake to a rockfall around where the trail levels out to a swampy area, you can scramble up to get a nice sunset view of siligo and red peaks. This wilderness offers many different trails ranging from 1.5 miles to 15 miles at magnificent views of the Trinity Alps, Trinity Lake, and the Trinity Divide. +/- 9,100 feet with a starting elevation of 2,900 feet and a peak elevation of 7,500 feet. River crossing impassible near end of May. The sound of an osprey fishing is distinct in the Trinity Alps and usually means a good show is underway. Crossed the river from the first campsite in oak flat. These spires originated from ancient offshore sediments uplifted on a head of magma, and folded in with the indigenous and granite bedrock deep underground. In addition to being one of the most diverse conifer areas in the world, many large mammal species also call this place home: black bears, mountains lions, black-tailed deer, and bobcat are a few of the more noteworthy. Map Link. The trail network is intricate and well established. What: Modified Trinity Alps High Route Trip Distance: 40ish miles of hiking, 0.25 miles of rafting When: Saturday 9/15/2019 to Sunday 9/16/2019 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.I’ve tried a variety of different … Take this scenic detour off the popular Stuart Fork Trail to reach a lake that gets much less traffic than the star attractions further up the main drainage. Now and then we got a glimpse of the ridgeline to the northwest, under which Alpine Lake is nestled. At the crossing, there is a really nice campsite that has a log bench and a fire pit. This call is an irritated cheep cheep and is commonly heard when the bird is disturbed. Go left after the river crossing. I initially reviewed this trail after a misadventure day hike last winter. Exploring its wilds with my best buds was one of those experiences that will be added to the highlights reel of my life. Love this place. The Trinity Alps Wilderness is a really special spot, one of my favorite on Earth. The highest point in this subrange is the modest Mount Eddy. Beautiful Alpine Lakes! It is magical up there, if you make it. So we turned around, went back to the fork and marched on to Morris Meadows, which was magnificent. Granite Lake was also one of the destinations we visited. 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