Comments on: Trinity Alps Wilderness Backpacking and Hiking Trails Update, July 2010

By: Kelly Connelly

Kelly Connelly — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 18:13:14 +0000

Labor Day is already here. Would love to find a short-mileage, 3-day backpack trip with some healthy elderly friends. And within 5 hours of San Francisco. No coast please! Too much fog this summer. Trinity Alps? Lassen? I don’t know those areas but they look beautiful. Lakes or streams would be great. I have your books!

By: John Soares

John Soares — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 16:15:23 +0000

I’d plan a trip that stays primarily below 6000-6500 feet so you don’t have to deal with much snow. Check the Trinity Alps trail conditions link referenced in the post, and also the post linked to just below this comment.
John Soares recently posted ..Trinity Alps Snow and Hiking Trail Conditions, June 26, 2011

By: Hunter

Hunter — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 03:27:13 +0000

John, I’ve never been in the Alps before but have planned a horse pack trip for July 28th-August 3rd. I’m trying to learn as much about the Trinity Alps as i can before setting foot there. I’m looking for an area my wife will enjoy as this will be her first pack trip. My stock are pretty solid, spending lots of time in rugged terrain every year and my wife is an average rider. My secondary interest is to look for areas where we can hunt this September. Any suggsetions would be appreciated.

By: John Soares

John Soares — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 04:26:01 +0000

Hello Dean. See this link here for 2011 conditions: http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5154861.pdf.

Also look at the blog post just below about middle-elevation hikes. I’d be very wary of backpacking in late June in the Trinity Alps this year (2011) unless you are very experienced and are willing to deal with snow.
John Soares recently posted ..Your Suggestions for Middle-Elevation Hikes in Northern California…

By: Dean Martin

Dean Martin — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 18:06:33 +0000

Enjoyed reading through your logs, curious to know if you have any info on conditions this year. I am planning on a trip of 8 the last week in june and am curious to know what conditions are we this late snow/rain we have had this season.

Again, thanks for this websight – what a great idea

By: Steve M.

Steve M. — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 16:53:30 +0000

I’m curious – thinking about going up to Trinity the last week of Sept. – likely up Canyon Creek. I don’t usually head out this late in the season, and I’m wondering if anyone has had problems backpacking this time of year in Trinity given the overlap with hunting season.

By: John Soares

John Soares — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 14:02:03 +0000

David, I’m glad you had such a great time. I love Canyon Creek Lakes and the Boulder Lakes. Sometimes backpacking trips are more enjoyable when we scale them back a bit.

I don’t know that couple, but I hope I’m still backpacking to Boulder Creek lakes in my late 70s — and skinny dipping.
John Soares recently posted ..Freelance Writers Need to Take Vacations…

By: David Sheridan

David Sheridan — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 20:20:51 +0000

Thanks for the advice John. We ended up taking it a bit easier after getting input from you and others on our original itenerary.

We had a great time at Canyon Creek Lakes, El Lake and Boulder Creek Lakes.

Next time, we might try some of the more difficult passes. I really want to see Smith and Morris lakes.

We also met some people that I would liek to contact again. An older man (77 yrs) and his hiking partners a coupel in there 70′s. They were super nice and enjoyed Boulder Creek Lakes a lot. skinny-dippers.

Do they sound familiar to anyone (been hiking there for 35 yrs they said)

By: John Soares

John Soares — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 20:42:04 +0000

Stuart Fork is running big right now. I’d only attempt a crossing if you are very experienced with doing so as safely as possible.

Not sure about crampons needed for the cross-country routes to Mirror Lake and Smith Lake, but I strongly recommend you bring them, along with ice axes. You’re high up in an area where hardly anyone goes, so you need to be as prepared as possible.

If you park at Canyon Creek Lakes trailhead, you won’t need to go to Alpine Lake/Stuart Fork at all. The trail report says there’s lots of brush on trails around Alpine Lake.

By: David Sheridan

David Sheridan — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 20:23:42 +0000

Hey John,

I am looking forward to a backpacking trip this weekend and had a few questions. I wondered if you knew any more information.

How difficult is it to cross the Stuart fork in order to get to the Stuart Fork trail from Alpine Lake?
Do we need crampons to go over the pass between L Lake and Smith/Morris Lake
Is the Mirror Lake/L Lake pass is OK condition?

I read the latest trail conditions report and was a little nervous about the mention of difficult creek crossings.

Any information you have would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
David S