{"id":6418,"date":"2022-07-15T16:36:49","date_gmt":"2022-07-15T23:36:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/?p=6418"},"modified":"2025-04-05T06:26:25","modified_gmt":"2025-04-05T13:26:25","slug":"trail-gulch-long-gulch-lakes-loop-2022-river-complex-fire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/2022\/07\/15\/trail-gulch-long-gulch-lakes-loop-2022-river-complex-fire\/","title":{"rendered":"Trail Gulch and Long Gulch Lakes Loop: 2022 Hike Report After the 2021 River Complex Fire"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>I hiked the Trail Gulch Lake\/Long Gulch Lake loop on July 8, 2022. Here&#8217;s my report of trail conditions, lake conditions, and how the two drainages and other nearby Trinity Alps regions fared in the 2021 River Complex Fire.<\/p>\n<p>Overall, this is still a fantastic hike. The River Complex Fire did burn substantial parts of the two valleys holding the lakes, and also the southern ridge that connects the two, but there is still a lot of unburned portions, and the two lakes are both in fairly good shape. And of crucial importance, the trail is still easy to follow, although you&#8217;ll have to pay extra attention in a few spots.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8097\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8097\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8097\" src=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-vista-russian-wilderness.jpg\" alt=\"Damage from the 2021 River Complex Fire in the Trail Gulch Lake valley. The Russian Wilderness escaped the wildfire.\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" srcset=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-vista-russian-wilderness.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-vista-russian-wilderness-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-vista-russian-wilderness-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-vista-russian-wilderness-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8097\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Damage from the 2021 River Complex Fire is evident in the Trail Gulch Lake valley. The mountains to the north of Carter Meadows, including the Russian Wilderness, escaped the wildfire.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><!--more-->Trail Gulch Lake\/Long Gulch Lake Loop Key Data<\/h2>\n<p>Distance: 9.8-mile loop; you can also do shorter hikes directly to either of the lakes, with Trail Gulch Lake the easiest<br \/>\nDifficulty: Moderate to strenuous for the entire loop<br \/>\nType: longer day hike, or an excellent one- to two-night relatively easy backpacking trip<br \/>\nElevation gain: 2100 feet<br \/>\nHigh point: 7400 feet<br \/>\nSeason: mid-June to mid-October, depending on snow<br \/>\nContact: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fs.usda.gov\/klamath\">Klamath National Forest, Salmon\/Scott River Ranger District<\/a><br \/>\nMaps: <a href=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/2025\/04\/04\/trinity-alps-map-hiking-trails\/\">Green Trails Maps Trinity Alps Wilderness<\/a><br \/>\nPermits: required only for overnight trips<br \/>\nNotes: Dogs allowed. Wilderness permit required for overnight stays: contact the Salmon\/Scott River Ranger District for details. Cattle may be present, especially later in summer<\/p>\n<h2>This Hike Is Featured in One of My Books&#8230;<\/h2>\n<div class=\"color-block\">\n<h4>Best Day Hiking Trails in Upper California<\/h4>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2GUNIqj\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-3153\" src=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/day-hiking-shasta-lassen-trinity-trails-300-214x300.jpg\" alt=\"Day Hiking Mount Shasta, Lassen &amp; Trinity Alps Regions. Includes trails in other regions of Northern California: Castle Crags, Russian Wilderness, Marble Mountain Wilderness, Lava Beds National Monument, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, Lassen National Forest, and the Redding area.\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" data-wp-editing=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/day-hiking-shasta-lassen-trinity-trails-300-214x300.jpg 214w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/day-hiking-shasta-lassen-trinity-trails-300-36x50.jpg 36w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/day-hiking-shasta-lassen-trinity-trails-300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 214px) 100vw, 214px\" \/><\/a><strong>My<\/strong> <strong>compact guidebook has the 125 best day hikes:<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Mount Shasta and nearby<\/li>\n<li>Lassen Volcanic National Park<\/li>\n<li>Trinity Alps and Marble Mountains<\/li>\n<li>Redding area<\/li>\n<li>Whiskeytown and Shasta Lakes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Includes trailhead directions and detailed maps and trail descriptions<\/p>\n<p><strong>Buy it:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2GUNIqj\">on Amazon<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/bookshop.org\/a\/22742\/9781680510584\">on Bookshop.org<\/a><br \/>\n<strong>Often available at bookstores<\/strong> <strong>and outdoor stores <\/strong>(call first!)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Long Gulch Lake Trailhead Directions<\/h2>\n<p>Reach Callahan on Highway 3. Callahan is 39.2 miles from the junction of Highway 3 and I-5 in Yreka, 61.8 miles from Weaverville, and 26.7 miles from Gazelle near I-5 via Gazelle-Callahan Road. Reach Carter Summit (actually a saddle) at 12.0 miles and then turn left at 12.7 miles onto dirt Forest Road 39N08 signed for Carter Meadows. At 2.0 miles see the Trail Gulch Lake trailhead on the left, and then proceed 0.8 mile farther to the Lung Gulch Lake trailhead, the start of the loop.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8087\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8087\" style=\"width: 1539px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8087\" src=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/map-trail-gulch-long-gulch-lakes.jpg\" alt=\"Trail map of the Trail Gulch Lake - Long Gulch Lake loop hike. NOTE: THE NAMES OF THE TWO LAKES ARE REVERSED ON THE MAP!\" width=\"1539\" height=\"2040\" srcset=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/map-trail-gulch-long-gulch-lakes.jpg 1539w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/map-trail-gulch-long-gulch-lakes-480x636.jpg 480w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/map-trail-gulch-long-gulch-lakes-773x1024.jpg 773w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/map-trail-gulch-long-gulch-lakes-226x300.jpg 226w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/map-trail-gulch-long-gulch-lakes-768x1018.jpg 768w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/map-trail-gulch-long-gulch-lakes-1159x1536.jpg 1159w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1539px) 100vw, 1539px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8087\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Trail map of the Trail Gulch Lake &#8211; Long Gulch Lake loop hike. <strong>NOTE: THE NAMES OF THE TWO LAKES ARE REVERSED ON THE MAP!<\/strong> (Courtesy <a href=\"https:\/\/caltopo.com\">Caltopo<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Starting on Forest Road 39N08<\/h2>\n<p>I do this hike as a clockwise loop. I started at the Long Gulch Lake trailhead and got the 0.8 mile and 300 feet elevation gain on Forest Road 39N08 out of the way immediately. The River Complex Fire frequently burned right to the south edge of Forest Road 39N08, but burned very little beyond.<\/p>\n<div class=\"color-block\">\n<h4>Explore the Wild and Rugged Trinity Alps With This New Map!<\/h4>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8865 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/trinity-alps-trail-map-hiking-250.jpg\" alt=\"Trinity Alps Trail Map for hikers and backpackers. Includes backcountry campsites and wilderness permit information.\" width=\"250\" height=\"371\" srcset=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/trinity-alps-trail-map-hiking-250.jpg 250w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/trinity-alps-trail-map-hiking-250-202x300.jpg 202w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>The alpine lakes and jagged peaks of the Trinity Alps Wilderness rival the scenery of the High Sierra, without the crowds. This new highly detailed map is perfect for your next backpacking trip or day hike:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Canyon Creek Lakes, Caribou Lake, and all the main destinations<\/li>\n<li>Trails with more solitude in more remote parts of the wilderness<\/li>\n<li>Obtaining a wilderness permit<\/li>\n<li>Boundaries of recent wildfires<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Buy it online from: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mountaineers.org\/books\/books\/trinity-alps-wilderness-ca-no-1120sxl-green-trails-maps\">Green Trails Maps<\/a> | <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4hOt1dT\"><strong>Amazon<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Often available at outdoor stores and bookstores<\/strong> (call first!)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2>The Hike to Trail Gulch Lake<\/h2>\n<p>From the Trail Gulch Lake trailhead it&#8217;s 2.1 miles and 875 feet of elevation gain to the lake.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8088\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8088\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8088\" src=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-creek-meadow-1.jpg\" alt=\"Trail Gulch Creek meadow: the meadow is still green and beautiful, with some trees burned on its edges. You can see that the River Complex Fire burned fairly hot on the east slope.\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" srcset=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-creek-meadow-1.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-creek-meadow-1-480x360.jpg 480w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-creek-meadow-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-creek-meadow-1-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8088\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Trail Gulch Creek meadow: the meadow is still green and beautiful, with some trees burned on its edges. You can see that the River Complex Fire burned fairly hot on the east slope.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8089\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8089\" style=\"width: 750px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8089\" src=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-creek-meadow-2.jpg\" alt=\"The Trail Gulch Creek meadow is lush, with standing water at its northern edge well into summer.\" width=\"750\" height=\"1332\" srcset=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-creek-meadow-2.jpg 750w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-creek-meadow-2-394x700.jpg 394w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-creek-meadow-2-577x1024.jpg 577w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-creek-meadow-2-169x300.jpg 169w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8089\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Trail Gulch Creek meadow is lush, with standing water at its northern edge well into summer.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Above the meadow, the trail climbs more steeply up to the junction with the side trail that leads to the Trail Gulch Lake. There&#8217;s a beautiful northward view down the drainage, with the Russian Wilderness beyond.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8090\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8090\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8090\" src=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-drainage-river-complex-fire-damage-1.jpg\" alt=\"Trail Gulch Drainage: River Complex Fire damage is evident to the mouth of Trail Gulch Creek, but the mountains beyond, including the Russian Wilderness, are untouched.\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" srcset=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-drainage-river-complex-fire-damage-1.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-drainage-river-complex-fire-damage-1-480x360.jpg 480w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-drainage-river-complex-fire-damage-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-drainage-river-complex-fire-damage-1-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8090\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Trail Gulch Drainage: River Complex Fire damage is evident to the mouth of Trail Gulch Creek, but the mountains beyond, including the Russian Wilderness, are untouched.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Trail Gulch Lake<\/h2>\n<p>There is some River Complex Fire damage along the north shore and east shore of Trail Gulch Lake, but overall this is still a fantastic destination and one of the easiest backpacking trips in the Trinity Alps.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8091\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8091\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8091\" src=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-lake-river-complex-fire-damage.jpg\" alt=\"Trail Gulch Lake: River Complex Fire damage near the east shore.\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" srcset=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-lake-river-complex-fire-damage.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-lake-river-complex-fire-damage-480x360.jpg 480w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-lake-river-complex-fire-damage-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-lake-river-complex-fire-damage-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8091\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Trail Gulch Lake: River Complex Fire damage near the east shore.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8092\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8092\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8092\" src=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-lake-trinity-alps-1.jpg\" alt=\"The south shore of Trail Gulch Lake is in beautiful shape.\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" srcset=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-lake-trinity-alps-1.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-lake-trinity-alps-1-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-lake-trinity-alps-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-lake-trinity-alps-1-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8092\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The south shore of Trail Gulch Lake is in beautiful shape. I once swam across the lake to that side, but it was too cool to swim on this day.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8093\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8093\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8093\" src=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-lake-trinity-alps-2.jpg\" alt=\"The southwest shore of Trail Gulch Lake\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" srcset=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-lake-trinity-alps-2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-lake-trinity-alps-2-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-lake-trinity-alps-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-lake-trinity-alps-2-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8093\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The southwest shore of Trail Gulch Lake<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Lots of River Complex Fire Damage&#8230;<\/h2>\n<p>is evident upon returning to the trail junction and then doing the steep hike through the red fir forest up to the ridge.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8094\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8094\" style=\"width: 750px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8094\" src=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-river-complex-fire-damage-1.jpg\" alt=\"The Trinity Alps River Complex Fire burned hot here in 2021, completely burning the trees and the ground cover.\" width=\"750\" height=\"1000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-river-complex-fire-damage-1.jpg 750w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-river-complex-fire-damage-1-480x640.jpg 480w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-river-complex-fire-damage-1-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8094\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The River Complex Fire burned hot here in 2021, completely burning the trees and the ground cover. Those are dead needles from the trees.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8095\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8095\" style=\"width: 750px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8095\" src=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-2021-river-complex-fire-damage-3.jpg\" alt=\"And some trees in the forest did survive the River Complex Fire\" width=\"750\" height=\"1332\" srcset=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-2021-river-complex-fire-damage-3.jpg 750w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-2021-river-complex-fire-damage-3-394x700.jpg 394w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-2021-river-complex-fire-damage-3-577x1024.jpg 577w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-2021-river-complex-fire-damage-3-169x300.jpg 169w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8095\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">And some trees in the forest did survive the wildfire.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>After the steep climb, I was happy to reach the ridge, close to the high point of the loop hike.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8096\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8096\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8096\" src=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-2021-river-complex-fire-damage-4.jpg\" alt=\"Extent of the 2021 River Complex Fire damage to the Trail Gulch Lake drainage in the northern Trinity Alps\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" srcset=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-2021-river-complex-fire-damage-4.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-2021-river-complex-fire-damage-4-480x360.jpg 480w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-2021-river-complex-fire-damage-4-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-2021-river-complex-fire-damage-4-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8096\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Extent of the 2021 River Complex Fire damage to the Trail Gulch Lake drainage in the northern Trinity Alps<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>River Complex Fire Damage on the South Side the Ridge Connecting the Trail Gulch Lake and Long Gulch Lake Valleys<\/h2>\n<p>The trail runs west by southwest, primarily through a red fir forest, to gently climb to a ridge overlooking Long Gulch Lake. Gaps in the trees allow good southerly views of the extensive Coffee Creek drainage.<\/p>\n<p>At the beginning of this stretch are two trail forks within about 30 feet of each other: North Fork Coffee Creek Trail (sign burned), and the Steveale Trail (sign intact). I&#8217;ve never hiked either of these, but the River Complex Fire burned substantial portions of their routes.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8099\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8099\" style=\"width: 750px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8099\" src=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/2021-river-complex-fire-trinity-alps-2.jpg\" alt=\"Looking southeast: substantial 2021 River Complex Fire damage in the eastern tributaries of Coffee Creek\" width=\"750\" height=\"1000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/2021-river-complex-fire-trinity-alps-2.jpg 750w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/2021-river-complex-fire-trinity-alps-2-480x640.jpg 480w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/2021-river-complex-fire-trinity-alps-2-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8099\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Looking southeast: substantial 2021 River Complex Fire damage in the eastern tributaries of Coffee Creek<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8100\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8100\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8100\" src=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/2021-river-complex-fire-trinity-alps-3.jpg\" alt=\"The River Complex Fire burned these red firs and the ground cover.\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" srcset=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/2021-river-complex-fire-trinity-alps-3.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/2021-river-complex-fire-trinity-alps-3-480x360.jpg 480w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/2021-river-complex-fire-trinity-alps-3-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/2021-river-complex-fire-trinity-alps-3-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8100\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The River Complex Fire burned these red firs and the ground cover.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8102\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8102\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8102\" src=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/2021-river-complex-fire-trinity-alps-5.jpg\" alt=\"2021 River Complex Fire Trinity Alps North Fork Coffee Creek\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" srcset=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/2021-river-complex-fire-trinity-alps-5.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/2021-river-complex-fire-trinity-alps-5-480x360.jpg 480w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/2021-river-complex-fire-trinity-alps-5-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/2021-river-complex-fire-trinity-alps-5-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8102\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">North Fork Coffee Creek and surrounding slopes and mountains<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8101\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8101\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8101\" src=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/2021-river-complex-fire-trinity-alps-4.jpg\" alt=\"2021 River Complex Fire Trinity Alps Coffee Creek\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" srcset=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/2021-river-complex-fire-trinity-alps-4.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/2021-river-complex-fire-trinity-alps-4-480x360.jpg 480w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/2021-river-complex-fire-trinity-alps-4-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/2021-river-complex-fire-trinity-alps-4-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8101\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">View southwest toward the heart of the Coffee Creek watershed<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8103\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8103\" style=\"width: 750px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8103\" src=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-lake-long-gulch-lake-trail-ridge.jpg\" alt=\"Ridge between Trail Gulch Lake and Long Gulch Lake: the path has many areas only partly burned by the 2021 wildfire.\" width=\"750\" height=\"1000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-lake-long-gulch-lake-trail-ridge.jpg 750w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-lake-long-gulch-lake-trail-ridge-480x640.jpg 480w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/trail-gulch-lake-long-gulch-lake-trail-ridge-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8103\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ridge between Trail Gulch Lake and Long Gulch Lake: the path has many areas only partly burned by the 2021 wildfire.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Long Gulch Lake<\/h2>\n<p>Long Gulch Lake and its valley fared a bit better than the Trail Gulch Lake drainage, although I did see substantial wildfire burn evidence on the hike from the lake to the Long Gulch Lake trailhead.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8107\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8107\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8107\" src=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/long-gulch-lake-trail-2021-river-complex-wildfire-burn-1.jpg\" alt=\"Long Gulch Lake Trail 2021 River Complex Fire Burn\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" srcset=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/long-gulch-lake-trail-2021-river-complex-wildfire-burn-1.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/long-gulch-lake-trail-2021-river-complex-wildfire-burn-1-480x360.jpg 480w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/long-gulch-lake-trail-2021-river-complex-wildfire-burn-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/long-gulch-lake-trail-2021-river-complex-wildfire-burn-1-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8107\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Long Gulch Lake Trail: River Complex Fire effects. I believe the ridge on the west was mostly rocky with little vegetation prior to the fire.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8108\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8108\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8108\" src=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/long-gulch-lake-trail-2021-river-complex-wildfire-burn-2.jpg\" alt=\"Long Gulch Lake itself survived the River Complex Fire in pretty good shape.\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" srcset=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/long-gulch-lake-trail-2021-river-complex-wildfire-burn-2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/long-gulch-lake-trail-2021-river-complex-wildfire-burn-2-480x360.jpg 480w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/long-gulch-lake-trail-2021-river-complex-wildfire-burn-2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/long-gulch-lake-trail-2021-river-complex-wildfire-burn-2-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8108\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Long Gulch Lake itself survived the River Complex Fire in pretty good shape.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8105\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8105\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8105\" src=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/long-gulch-lake-1.jpg\" alt=\"Long Gulch Lake: still beautiful and with the steep south slope lookin' good\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" srcset=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/long-gulch-lake-1.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/long-gulch-lake-1-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/long-gulch-lake-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/long-gulch-lake-1-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8105\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Long Gulch Lake: still beautiful and with the steep south slope lookin&#8217; good<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8106\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8106\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8106\" src=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/long-gulch-lake-2.jpg\" alt=\"Long Gulch Lake: view southeast. Still a Trinity Alps treasure...\" width=\"1000\" height=\"563\" srcset=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/long-gulch-lake-2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/long-gulch-lake-2-480x270.jpg 480w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/long-gulch-lake-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/long-gulch-lake-2-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8106\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Long Gulch Lake: view southeast. Still a Trinity Alps treasure&#8230;<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>My Youtube Video of the Trail Gulch Lake\/Long Gulch Lake Loop Hike&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>Shot at the same time I took all the pictures above. From my <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/c\/NorthernCaliforniaHikingTrails\">Northern California Hiking Trails Youtube channel<\/a>:<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/oVHYv5Ns02Y\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2>Lots of Great Dispersed Camping Sites in\/near Carter Meadows<\/h2>\n<div class=\"color-block\">\n<h4>Camp for Free in California National Forests<\/h4>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-6295\" src=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/dispersed-camping-boondocking-camp-free-300.jpg\" alt=\"Camp for Free: Dispersed Camping &amp; Boondocking on America's Public Lands book cover. Free camping in the United States.\" width=\"250\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/dispersed-camping-boondocking-camp-free-300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/dispersed-camping-boondocking-camp-free-300-188x300.jpg 188w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/dispersed-camping-boondocking-camp-free-300-31x50.jpg 31w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px\" \/><strong>California&#8217;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 (<strong>but is not a guide to specific sites<\/strong>):<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Researching the best locations<\/li>\n<li>Finding the best camping spots<\/li>\n<li>Backcountry safety and ethics<\/li>\n<li>What to take<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2CPMlbP\">Buy it on Amazon<\/a><br \/>\nBuy it on <a href=\"https:\/\/books2read.com\/u\/3RnavL\">Apple, Kobo, and Nook<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I hiked the Trail Gulch Lake\/Long Gulch Lake loop on July 8, 2022. Here&#8217;s my report of trail conditions, lake conditions, and how the two drainages and other nearby Trinity Alps regions fared in the 2021 River Complex Fire. Overall, this is still a fantastic hike. The River Complex Fire did burn substantial parts of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8097,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[258,46,261],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-6418","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-klamath-national-forest","8":"category-trinity-alps-hiking-backpacking-trails","9":"category-wildfires-and-northern-california-hiking-trails","10":"entry"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Trail Gulch and Long Gulch Lakes Loop: 2022 Hike Report After the 2021 River Complex Fire - 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