Trinity Alps Septemberfest 28-30th

What's the general schedule? When are people expecting to get to the TH?

Thurs. night there will be a number sleeping at the trailhead area.

This leaves Fri. for getting a spot for everyone in Bowerman Meadow and exploring that area while everyone else arrives.

Sat. do the Four Lakes Loop or the off trail routes to the other lakes.

Sun. back on down the hill homewards all too soon.

There are a few lakes above the Meadow, scrambling up to them on Friday (if physically possible) and casting a few lines would be fun. I should be there late Thursday night.

There is a ducked route from the meadow to those lakes Justin.

Looks like we are in for some warmth, sun this weekend. 0% of precipitation.

No new fires in the area so the air should be pretty clear.

Can't wait for the Alps

I started packing. When you getting there Jay?

Not sure yet Ken. Late Thursday night or Friday afternoon. Playing it by ear because of sales.

Hate to be a party-pooper, but isn't there a party size limit for the wilderness? It's 12 up in this neck of the woods. You might want to check on fire restrictions, too. Up here quite a few of the national forests (not all) are specifying only gasoline or pressurized fuel stoves, and all have forbidden campfires. Extreme fire danger right now.

Fortunately the weather will be warm and I suspect we will get by without a campfire, if necessary.

Thank you for the warning about stoves. I will forego Esbit and lug a canister type up there with adequate gas for those who have none.

Campfires still allowed. current fire restrictions do not include the Trinity Alps Wilderness Area, only the surrounding forest lands. 8 persons per permit. We spread out, and have people coming in different days. Each carload gets their own permit. Past experience has also showed that all who say they will come may not. Has not been an issue with the rangers met in the backcountry.

Bring your stove of choice.

We will do our best to not burn anything unintended.

Hey Ken, where are you getting your weather info? From the nearest town or is there a more specific source?

You can actually print off campfire permits (required even for stoves) off some forest service sites. No need to pick one up. Here is a .pdf http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sequoia/passespermits/campfire_permit/calcampfirepermit2012.pdf

The fire restrictions don't apply to the wilderness area. It's pretty common for the lower elevations to get harsh fire restrictions and the upper elevations to not have any. They probably aren't too worried about a bunch of rock and well separated trees.

Trinity Center is close enough weather wise. We will be higher in elevation so it will be cooler but the rest is the same.

Friday, 28
84 | 46 °F
Partly Cloudy
Chance of
Precipitation0%

Saturday, 29
86 | 46 °F
Clear
Chance of
Precipitation0%

Sunday, 30
88 | 46 °F
Clear
Chance of
Precipitation0%

Monday, 1
88 | 46 °F
Clear
Chance of
Precipitation0%

Light winds and a full Moon on Saturday round out Nature for the weekend.

Sounds like a great trip.
I'll be leaving Ashland around 2:00 Friday afternoon and have room for 2 passengers.

Here is a point forecast for Bowerman Meadows.
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=40.921907399299&lon=-122.85763874145505

TODAY

Sunny

High: 71 °F
TONIGHT

Mostly
Clear
Low: 45 °F
MONDAY

Sunny

High: 73 °F
MONDAY
NIGHT

Mostly
Clear
Low: 47 °F
TUESDAY

Sunny

High: 74 °F
TUESDAY
NIGHT

Mostly
Clear
Low: 48 °F
WEDNESDAY

Mostly
Sunny
High: 74 °F
WEDNESDAY
NIGHT

Partly
Cloudy
Low: 48 °F
THURSDAY

Mostly
Sunny
High: 75 °F

Friday
Sunny
High 75 °F

Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 48

Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 77.

Those of you coming in on Thurs. night, I will be bringing 10-12 gallons of water with me since there is none at the trailhead from what I read.

So, any questions? Everyone knows where to be, and how to get there? The first ones in will leave navigational aids as needed.

We are shooting for a large camping area about 3-3.5 miles from the trailhead above the end of the meadow. "The well defined trail leads towards a grove of alders, across a seasonal stream,and over to a large camping area.", says the guidebook. That sounds good for us.

Has everyone who is coming let me know that they are?

I'm leaving shortly after dinner on Thur. Will be at the trailhead late.

See you there!

Ken,

I'm going to drive down towards Medford/Ashland on Thursday, should be at TH by Friday between 12:00 – 2:00 and then the hike in. I think I'm good with your map and trail description.

See you there!

Current plan is to arrive late Thursday night. I have room for two plus gear and can pick up anyone along the way from Reno. I am leaving around 4PM via 395 north to Susanville and west on 44 to Redding.

Will there be a gear swap back at the parking lot Sunday? Are camping spots available at the trailhead like last year?

Some trip reports I found online about the Four Lakes Loop:
http://trinityalpsphoto.blogspot.com/2007/12/four-lakes-loop.html

http://tehipitetom.blogspot.com/2009/07/trinity-alps-trip-report-part-2.html#0

Looking forward to some gorgeous scenery!

It's supposed to be just a parking area, no camping spots or water.

Simple this year. I had not even thought of a swap. Basic trailhead parking this time too. Like I said I'll be bringing in 10-12 gallons of water.

I'm leaving Thursday around 4 or 5pm or so from Berkeley. I've got room for two (smallish car, can't take four plus packs!).

Anyone want to join me? I plan on getting back to Berkeley around 10pm Sunday.

See you all soon!

I called the ranger station and she said stoves were allowed, but no fires. I asked about alcohol stoves and she had never heard that question before and didn't have any detailed info beyond "stoves are allowed".

You do have to get a "fire permit" where/when you get your wilderness permit though. It's for the stove.

So, I'm taking my myog alcohol stove. Heck, I watch it and it only takes less than ten minutes to boil water.

Doug, if you want you can print the fire permit:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sequoia/passespermits/campfire_permit/calcampfirepermit2012.pdf

The fire restrictions don't apply to the Trinity alps wilderness so you aren't restricted to canister stoves, you can use any stove you want. But they do apply to the rest of the national forest. So if you light up your alcohol stove before you cross the sign that says "Wilderness", you are violating fire restrictions.

It's usually best to check online for these sort of things. She didn't know what an alcohol stove is and when wood fires are not allowed due to fire danger, alcohol stoves are also not allowed. Her not knowing what an alcohol stove is could have gotten you into trouble if you used it a place with fire restrictions. Sometimes the people you call don't know what they are talking about.

Justin–Thanks for the info. I figure the rangers ought to know what's what. And just looking at the Shasta-Trinity National Forest website doesn't make all this obvious. But with some Googling I found the page needed:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/stnf/news-events/?cid=STELPRDB5379327
Maybe this is where you got your info, eh? : )

Now I've just got to find the edge of the Wilderness….

Did you watch the video on the home page here? http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/stnf/home Answers all.