Resources and Important Information
Shasta-Trinity National Forest
(Trinity River Unit)
Typical season for Trinity Alps climbing is June through October.
To avoid dehydration while hiking, carry plenty of water. Summer
temperatures often exceed 90 degrees.
In the lower canyons, temperatures can climb as high as 110 degrees.
Evenings, however, require warm clothing. Day-to-night temperature
differentials can fluctuate as much as 45 degrees. Other common
problems include poison oak, snakes (rattlesnakes have been seen
above 9,000 feet) and hyperventilation. First-aid kits are highly
recommended.
Boulder Lakes
One way length: 2 1/2 miles
Low and high elevation: 1,000
feet
Difficulty: easy
A good hike for beginners. The distance is short
and the 1,000-foot increase in elevation
won't leave anyone too exhausted to enjoy
the scenery.
Boulder Lakes is an ideal destination for families as well. There
are plenty of campsites at the lake, and the fishing is always excellent.
To get to Boulder Lakes take Highway 3 to Coffee Creek Road. Drive
10 miles on Coffee Creek Road to the Boulder Lakes trailhead.
Granite Peak
One way length: 4 miles
Low and high elevation: 4,100 to 8,091 feet
Difficulty: Strenuous
This hike is short—just four miles—with a climb of nearly 4,000
feet on countless switchbacks, but the views are worth it! There
is a false summit 1,500 feet below the true peak, but the vistas
of the surrounding mountains will keep your mind off the climb.
The trail splits just before the final push for the top, with the
left-hand fork leading to Red Mountain and Stonewall Pass and a
traverse of high alpine country studded with lakes.
The trailhead is located 3.0 miles west of Highway 3 on a logging
road that begins opposite the entrance
for Bushy Trail Campground on Trinity
Lake.
Lake Eleanor and Shimmy Lake
Lake Eleanor is easily reached within 1/2 mile of the trailhead.
You continue 3 2/3 miles past this picturesque
mountain lake until you reach Shimmy
Lake. This lake is surrounded by meadows
and forests. The tirp is relatively easy
and can be enjoyed by the less experienced
hiker.
Swift Creek Falls
One way length: 2 miles
Low and high elevation: 4000 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Swift Creek Falls is a small 20 ft.
cascade along Swift Creek in the Trinity
Alps Wilderness. It is a long way out
of the way to go to such a small waterfall,
and we would not recommend it unless
you are a waterfall collector. If, however,
you plan to continue on this trail to
Granite Lake, then it would be worth
stopping to take a look at Swift Creek
Falls.
The Swift Creek Trail is a popular
one for people backpacking in the Trinity
Alps Wilderness. It is an easy one mile
hike down to the waterfall. Swift Creek
Falls is a bit off-trail, and you will
need to scramble down to the creek to
see it. Just before the trail starts
to make a steep climb up through a rocky
gorge area, find a spot to get down to
the creek and a view of the cascade.
There is
only one cascade here, 20 ft. high. It
is not really worth it to come all the
way here just to see one small waterfall.
But, admittedly, it is a pretty waterfall,
even if it is a small one.
Turn left on Swift Creek Rd., and
drive 6.5 miles to trailhead.
Ycatapom Peak
Ycatapom Peak is located near the eastern edge of the Trinity Alps
Wilderness of northern California. Closest
town is Trinity Center. The mountain's
name comes from the Wintu word meaning
to "leaning mountain".
Ycatapom
Peak's northern
face rises from the bottom of Poison
Canyon. This 1200-foot wall is home to
the longest technical rock climbs in
the Trinity Alps. The rock is granite and solid. Most routes
on the north face range in difficulty
from easy to moderate. The area has been
developed as a pure traditional climbing
area and thus you will encounter no bolts.
Non-technical scrambling routes (descent
options) exist on the mountains west
ridge and south face.
Given the fact that the technical routes
on Ycatapom peak are located on its northern
face, they tend to stay wet later into
the season. The Forest Service locks the
access gates to the area (on unpaved roads) from October 30 to
May 1 regardless of weather conditions.
From CA 3 in Trinity Center, turn west onto Swift Creek Road.
Follow it for approximately 1.4 miles
to a signed junction and turn right
toward Lake Eleanor and Poison Canyon
Trailheads. In about 1 mile, turn right
again onto FS road 37N55. Follow 37N55
passing a fork - keep right
here. Keep right again at the next
fork finally reaching a 3-way junction
where you need to make a sharp left
to stay on 37N55 (there should be a
gate - possibly closed - on the minor
road that goes straight). You'll reach
the inconspicuous trailhead (no large
parking lot - just a widened pull out)
- but it is marked with a sign - shortly
after crossing North Fork Swift Creek.
Park your car on the right side of
the road (more parking space available a few hundred
yards down the road) and look for the
marked trailhead sign on the left side.
Follow the steep Poison Canyon Trail
for about 2 miles to a signed junction
with the Thumb Rock Trail. Nice views of the peak can be had within about 0.75
mile from the road. Stay left at the junction on Lilypad Lake Trail. Hike for
approximately 0.3 miles further, passing through a small meadow. Look for a climbers'
camp on the far side of the meadow (fire pits visible from trail on right side).
Granite Lake and Seven Up Peak
One way length: 5 miles
Low and high elevation: 3,200 to 8,100 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Granite Lake, as the name suggests, rests in a dramatic granite-lined
bowl on the eastern edge of the wilderness. This trip takes you
to the 18-acre lake at an elevation of 6,000 feet. For those with
a bit more energy, a climb of Seven Up Peak offers spectacular views
of the highest summits in the Trinity Alps. It's also possible to
extend the trip into a multi-day loop by linking with several trail
options that radiate from below Seven Up Gap. The trailhead is accessed
from Highway 3 by Trinity Center. Take the Swift Creek Road 7.0
miles to the trail's start.
The first part of the trail follows the aptly named Swift Creek
as it dashes its way down a canyon lined with azalea, Douglas fir,
sugar pine, incense cedar, and Jeffrey pine. At 1.3 miles you will
reach a trail junction: The trail along Swift Creek continues to
Ward and Horseshoe Lakes—worth a trip in themselves—but the path
to Granite Lake crosses Swift Creek and climbs up fern-lined Granite
Creek, passing several waterfalls and a few flowery meadows, eventually
arriving at Granite Lake. From the lake it's possible to climb by
trail to Seven Up Gap, where there are scattered stands of mountain
hemlock and the rare foxtail pine. From the gap, it's just a short
scramble to the top of 8,134-foot Seven Up Peak.
If you're interested in making the trip more than an in-and-out
from Granite Lake, consider hiking to the Bear Basin Trail or the
Mumford Basin Trail, which course north from Seven Up Gap. Both
trails eventually lead back to Swift Creek and the trailhead.
