Читать книгу Trinity Alps & Vicinity: Including Whiskeytown, Russian Wilderness, and Castle Crags Areas. A Hiking and Backpacking Guide онлайн

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HIGHLIGHTS Weaverville Historic District, Joss House State Historic Park, Trinity County Museum, Weaverville Farmers’ Market (Wednesdays), Trinity Lake, Trinity River

STUART FORK TRAILHEAD

TRIP 5 Stuart Fork to Emerald, Sapphire, and Mirror Lakes

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Set in glaciated granite at the head of rushing Stuart Fork, Emerald, Sapphire, and Mirror Lakes are the area’s crown jewels.

Trip Type:

Backpack, 4–7 days

Distance & Configuration:

29-mile out-and-back to Sapphire Lake (plus 2.6-mile cross-country round-trip to Mirror Lake and 7.2-mile round-trip to Big Caribou Lake)

Elevation Change:

4,240' (average 292'/mile)

Difficulty:

Moderate

Season:

Mid-June–mid-October

Maps:

USGS Rush Creek Lakes, Siligo Peak, Mount Hilton, Caribou Lake, and Thompson Peak; USFS A Guide to the Trinity Alps Wilderness

Management:

Weaverville Ranger District, 530-623-2121, fs.usda.gov/stnf

Nearest Campground:

Bridge

The long canyon of Stuart Fork and the three lakes at the head are breathtakingly beautiful in spite of a long history of human use and abuse. The hike to the lakes is delightful, although not exactly a wilderness experience. Don’t expect solitude—Stuart Fork is one of the most heavily used trails in the Trinity Alps. However, overcrowding is only a problem if you insist on camping at Emerald or Sapphire Lake. Farther down the valley, Portuguese Camp, Morris Meadow, Oak Flat, and other campsites can accommodate large numbers of campers without feeling crowded.