(LF Hikers) Little South Fork Lake – Trinity Alps

[Justin Baker]

I'm looking for anyone else interested in a Trinity Alps trip. I want to do the Little South Fork Lake hike. It's a cross country route with some bushwacking, creekwalking, and scrambling around waterfalls up to a high alpine lake. Should a be a fun cross country adventure. I've never been to this area and don't know what to expect.
It's a long drive. I have the time, but I would really like to carpool and split the gas costs. I can drive to the Bay area to meet up.
I was thinking about mid September- still figuring it out. I can do Friday-Monday.
Anyone interested?

Here is a link to a trip report and some pictures:
http://ellenvanderslice.com/adventures/trinity_alps/
https://www.inkling.com/read/moon-california-hiking-brown-stienestra-9th/chapter-2/21–little-south-fork-lake-trail

Google maps link:
https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Santa+Rosa,+CA&daddr=Caribou+Creek+Rd%2FForest+Route+37N24&hl=en&ll=40.745176,-121.896057&spn=1.352554,2.90863&sll=41.100892,-123.071337&sspn=0.042041,0.090895&geocode=FROOSgIdwYav-CnXR-Y2yTuEgDFJSE_Fa2XNXA%3BFXlbcwId6c2p-A&oq=santa+&mra=ls&t=m&z=9

If anyone has done this hike and has some advice, I would really appreciate that.

[Kattt]

I am interested . Also going in October…but this sounds like a nice trip .

[Justin Baker]

Cool – I can do any weekend but the 27th-29th. My main hiking partner might be able to come as well.
Part of this is off trail (2.5 miles) but it's following one creek/drainage so navigation shouldn't be difficult. Hopefully the underbrush won't put up a heavy defense.
I really want to see that waterfall, it looks huge.

[Ken Thompson]

Remember that the last 15 miles on your drive there will take 1 hour. It's paved the first third or so. That trailhead is less than 180 miles from my house. It takes me 4 hours to get there. If you want waterfalls go to Canyon Creek. Water is pretty low this year. All pavement approach. It's all beautiful. Did that area burned in '09? Seems like it would be in the burn area visible from the Caribou Lakes Trail.

[Justin Baker]

I'm looking at 93 on google earth and its all paved. Caribou road looks unpaved but its only 6.4 miles. Are you sure you're talking about the south fork trailhead?

It is a really long drive, but the hike up there sounds like a lot of fun. If I can get a group going that wants to go to the alps and there are suggestions for more convenient trailheads, that would be great as well. I just want to get back up there before winter.

[Kattt]

The unpaved road is 12 miles, plus 4 paved. Takes a while.

[Ken Thompson]

Yes I was thinking Coffee Creek Rd. That trailhead is even further away. It might be paved but 93 is windy and really narrow in spots. It will still be slow going once off the 3.

[Justin Baker]

Have I put in the wrong location?

https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Cecilville+Rd&daddr=Unknown+road&hl=en&ll=41.096138,-123.0496&spn=0.010948,0.022724&sll=41.153689,-123.107976&sspn=0.005469,0.011362&geocode=Fej2cwIdWn6p-A%3BFVYPcwIdv2yq-A&t=h&mra=me&mrsp=0&sz=17&z=16

(sorry, i dont know how to make links)

edit: nevermind, just saw kens post

[Justin Baker]

bump.
Open to other suggestions that might be more convenient.

[Kattt]

Marc Elridge would be a good resource for this. I think he has done some back country there….

[Ken Thompson]

Justin. Have you been to either Canyon Creek or the Stuart Fork hikes? Stuart Fork has some schwacking routes to some lakes. Of course beautiful Emerald and Sapphire lakes with a cross country climb to Mirror Lake above at the end of the canyon. You can climb the Sawtooth ridge and access the Caribou Basin that way as well. Very steep trail from Portuguese Camp area up and over.

[Justin Baker]

Thanks Ken. I've only been to the trinity alps once, when you had the meetup last fall. Those locations are much closer. I'm starting to dislike the idea of a 7 hour drive and a 5 hour drive sounds more reasonable. I don't care where I go as long as it has good hiking opportunities, it's all new to me. You've given me a lot to think about and plan.

[Jacob D]

Justin, if this happens in Oct I would love to join. Sep is out for me. My truck is fixed and I can drive.

Are you still in SR? We're moving to San Rafael at the end of the month.

[Justin Baker]

Yeah I'm still in Santa Rosa. San Rafael is a great area.

After looking at the elevation of these areas (fairly low), October seems better to avoid the heat. I remember how warm it was at the end of September.

[Chris C]

There are many great trailheads and destinations in the Trinities, do you want lakeside, forest, stream side, granite, it goes on and on.

There are a few great underused trailheads that will not add much to your drive up from Santa Rosa.

I highly recommend Hobo Gulch if you want a good assortment of terrain and history.

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