{"id":4164,"date":"2018-07-16T06:19:45","date_gmt":"2018-07-16T13:19:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/?p=4164"},"modified":"2023-03-03T16:09:39","modified_gmt":"2023-03-03T23:09:39","slug":"hiking-ruffey-lake-meeks-meadow-lake-russian-wilderness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/2018\/07\/16\/hiking-ruffey-lake-meeks-meadow-lake-russian-wilderness\/","title":{"rendered":"Hiking Ruffey Lake and Meeks Meadow Lake near Russian Wilderness"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hike the trail to Ruffey Lake and Meeks Meadow Lake for a day, or backpack in and camp overnight. Ruffey Lake and Meeks Meadow Lake lie just below Etna Mountain in Klamath National Forest, just north of the Russian Wilderness. Both are sweet little lakes, both quite different, and both with their own charm.<\/p>\n

\"Ruffey
Ruffey Lake Trail, Ruffey Lake, and Etna Mountain Near Russian Wilderness, Klamath National Forest<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

These are two of my favorite out-of-the-way lakes near the Russian Wilderness<\/a>; do this hike and you may not see anybody else, even at the height of the summer hiking season. When it’s time for a new edition of my Day Hiking: Mount Shasta, Lassen & Trinity Alps Regions<\/em><\/a>, this hike will definitely be included.<\/p>\n

Ruffey Lake and Meeks Meadow Lake Trail Key Data<\/h2>\n

Distance: 6.4 miles roundtrip
\nDifficulty: Moderate
\nType: Day hike or Overnight
\nElevation gain: 1800 feet
\nHigh point: 6950 feet
\nSeason: June to October
\nContact: Klamath National Forest<\/a>, Salmon\/Scott River Ranger District
\nMaps: USFS Marble Mountain Wilderness and Russian Wilderness<\/a>, USGS Etna
\nEtna Summit Trailhead GPS coordinates: N 41 23.698 W 122 59.654
\nNotes: dogs allowed; you’ll see evidence of past cattle grazing around Meeks Meadow Lake<\/p>\n

Etna Summit Trailhead Directions<\/h2>\n

Drive CA Highway 3 to the Etna turnoff, which is 26.5 miles from the junction of CA Highway 3 and I-5 in Yreka and 12.7 miles from Callahan. Drive a half mile down Collier Way, turn right on Main Street, and then drive 10.5 curvy and paved miles on Sawyer\u2019s Bar Road to Etna Summit<\/a> (actually a saddle). Park in the large lot on the left.<\/p>\n

\"Hiking
Hiking Trail Map: Ruffey Lake to Meeks Meadow Lake. (Courtesy of Caltopo.com<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail from Etna Summit<\/h2>\n

Find the Pacific Crest Trail in the back part of the parking area near a signboard. Go right and start a moderate climb south. The Etna Creek drainage that hold Sawyer’s Bar Road is down to the left. Views are magnificent, including the Scott Valley, Etna Mountain, and the heart of the granitic Russian Wilderness just a few miles away.<\/p>\n

The route alternates between open slopes filled with summer wildflowers and the deep shade of Shasta red fir forest. Make sure you look behind you at the northerly vista of the Marble Mountains. Reach a fork with the Ruffey Lake Trail at 1.6 miles.<\/p>\n

Ruffey Lake Trail<\/h2>\n

Head steeply uphill just 200 feet\u00a0 to a gap dominated by the visage of Etna Mountain. From here the Ruffey Lake Trail descends a series of switchbacks east through Shasta red fir forest to reach Ruffey Lake at 1.9 miles. Thick forest borders the lake on three sides, with a broad rock ledge on the north side where the glacier that carved the lake spilled downhill toward the lower Ruffey Lake. You’ll find a couple of places to camp near the west shore, and a level place or two on the rock ledge. Make sure you follow Leave No Trace principles because you’re very close to the water. If you have a fire, you must also have a campfire permit<\/a>. Anglers can fish for eastern brook trout.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Ruffey Lake with late afternoon light<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n

Camp for Free in California National Forests<\/h4>\n

\"CampCalifornia’s national forests and BLM lands have thousands of miles of dirt roads with lots of spots for dispersed camping (boondocking).<\/strong> My book provides all the info you need to get started (but is not a guide to specific sites):<\/p>\n