TR: Trinity Alps Shuttle trip including Four Lakes Loop
Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2020 6:12 pm
Introduction, Day One, Day Two
Trinity Alps Shuttle Trip
Swift Creek to Long Canyon, including the “4 lakes loop”
July 19-July 24
Overview:
The Trinity Alps are the most famous and possibly the most scenic California wilderness outside of the Sierra Nevada range. This particular trip I had done 31 years ago with my father, and repeated it this year with my brother. No quotas are in effect and no reservations are required—which is a BIG problem. Instead, you can obtain a permit simply by pulling up in front of the Weaverville Forest Service station and filling out a cardboard form. Given the number of people we encountered, this laissez-faire approach to wilderness management is a grave mistake in the Trinity Alps.
This trip was very crowded, with multiple parties at every single lake, including cross-country lakes such as Lake Anna. From what I gathered on the trail, numerous people who were discouraged with the Sierra reservations system during Covid opted for the Trinity Alps instead, resulting in a crush of users. As for Covid precautions, there were a number of people who put on masks before meeting on the trail, and others who stepped aside and made room off trail as others passed. But there were also those who did not wear masks and stood obliviously in the trail as we tried to get around them with appropriate social distance. A mixed bag, to be sure.
All that said, the area is beautiful and unique. It has some of the greatest diversity in flora in the American west, and is fascinating geologically, with red rock and white rock meeting and mixing in intriguing ways. It was also the best wildflower trip I have ever undertaken. The last Trinity Alps trip I did was also avery good flower trip. For anyone who loves hillsides filled with wildflowers, with craggy red and white backdrops, the Trinity Alps furnishes an impressive experience.
Day One
My brother and I were coming from opposite directions, states apart from each other. We met at the Long Canyon trailhead, left one of our two cars, and drove to the Swift Creek trailhead with the other car. Long Canyon is more popular since it provides the shortest route to the famous “4 lakes loop,” although it requires a 3900 foot elevation rise in 6 miles. Swift Creek is chiefly popular for access to Granite Lake, although after Granite Lake the trail can be followed over 7-Up pass for access the 4 lakes loop from a different vantage point.
We got to Swift Creek late in the day after our long drives and packed a couple of miles up the trail to the bridge that crosses Swift Creek. The bridge is very impressive and seems almost excessive, but it makes short work of the crossing. There is camping at the crossing and that is where we rested, ready to start the trip in seriousness the next day.
Day Two
This was an easy day in which we simply moved up Granite Creek to Granite Lake, and then explored Granite Lake. A heatwave struck and we tried to get most of our exertion done earlier in the day, moving steadily uphill through Gibson Meadows to Granite Lake. Granite Lake is at 6000 feet and has a substantial amount of alder growing along its shore, and some manzanita on rocky slopes around it. Most of the camps are on the north side nearer the inlet, overlooking the lake, but there are a plethora of campsites on the east side near the outlet. Only two camps are actually on the lake and they are not the first you come to, nor necessarily the best camps.
Among the attractions of Granite Lake is a small grove of huge cedar trees. It is also possible to spot Mt. Shasta if you follow the outlet to where it drops away to the east. I was surprised to find how many more tent pads and campsites existed at the lake than when I last visited in 1989.
Trinity Alps Shuttle Trip
Swift Creek to Long Canyon, including the “4 lakes loop”
July 19-July 24
Overview:
The Trinity Alps are the most famous and possibly the most scenic California wilderness outside of the Sierra Nevada range. This particular trip I had done 31 years ago with my father, and repeated it this year with my brother. No quotas are in effect and no reservations are required—which is a BIG problem. Instead, you can obtain a permit simply by pulling up in front of the Weaverville Forest Service station and filling out a cardboard form. Given the number of people we encountered, this laissez-faire approach to wilderness management is a grave mistake in the Trinity Alps.
This trip was very crowded, with multiple parties at every single lake, including cross-country lakes such as Lake Anna. From what I gathered on the trail, numerous people who were discouraged with the Sierra reservations system during Covid opted for the Trinity Alps instead, resulting in a crush of users. As for Covid precautions, there were a number of people who put on masks before meeting on the trail, and others who stepped aside and made room off trail as others passed. But there were also those who did not wear masks and stood obliviously in the trail as we tried to get around them with appropriate social distance. A mixed bag, to be sure.
All that said, the area is beautiful and unique. It has some of the greatest diversity in flora in the American west, and is fascinating geologically, with red rock and white rock meeting and mixing in intriguing ways. It was also the best wildflower trip I have ever undertaken. The last Trinity Alps trip I did was also avery good flower trip. For anyone who loves hillsides filled with wildflowers, with craggy red and white backdrops, the Trinity Alps furnishes an impressive experience.
Day One
My brother and I were coming from opposite directions, states apart from each other. We met at the Long Canyon trailhead, left one of our two cars, and drove to the Swift Creek trailhead with the other car. Long Canyon is more popular since it provides the shortest route to the famous “4 lakes loop,” although it requires a 3900 foot elevation rise in 6 miles. Swift Creek is chiefly popular for access to Granite Lake, although after Granite Lake the trail can be followed over 7-Up pass for access the 4 lakes loop from a different vantage point.
We got to Swift Creek late in the day after our long drives and packed a couple of miles up the trail to the bridge that crosses Swift Creek. The bridge is very impressive and seems almost excessive, but it makes short work of the crossing. There is camping at the crossing and that is where we rested, ready to start the trip in seriousness the next day.
Day Two
This was an easy day in which we simply moved up Granite Creek to Granite Lake, and then explored Granite Lake. A heatwave struck and we tried to get most of our exertion done earlier in the day, moving steadily uphill through Gibson Meadows to Granite Lake. Granite Lake is at 6000 feet and has a substantial amount of alder growing along its shore, and some manzanita on rocky slopes around it. Most of the camps are on the north side nearer the inlet, overlooking the lake, but there are a plethora of campsites on the east side near the outlet. Only two camps are actually on the lake and they are not the first you come to, nor necessarily the best camps.
Among the attractions of Granite Lake is a small grove of huge cedar trees. It is also possible to spot Mt. Shasta if you follow the outlet to where it drops away to the east. I was surprised to find how many more tent pads and campsites existed at the lake than when I last visited in 1989.