Winter accessible trail in the Trinity Alps?

[Justin Baker]

I would like to do some winter snow camping in the Trinity Alps soon. They are currently getting dumped on. I’m wondering if someone could recommend a trailhead that is open/plowed in the winter and allows access to some higher elevation areas without requiring travel through dangerous avalanche prone terrain (I have no avalanche safety knowledge).

I know that the canyon creek and long canyon trail heads should be open. I already did long canyon this fall and from what I remember I think the canyon creek trail would be sketchy with snow??? Is coffee creek/caribou lakes trailhead winter accessible?

Thanks for any input you may have.

[Kattt]

The road to Coffee Creek/ Caribou is not maintained in winter and even if you make it theough the some 10 miles of gravelled road, you have the Salmon river to cross and that might not be advisable.

I would look at what trails do not entail crossing much water. Even Canyon Creek has one crossing that can be sketchy .

That’s all I can think of right now. Sorry it’s just negatives…Hopefully someone else will give you a thumbs up option.

[jscott]

We drove out of Canyon Creek trail in late September after a very strong snow/rain event–but not horrible, 30 plus hours–and there was a fair amount of mud/lots of new rockfall on the road out. I don’t know how well this road is maintained in winter. But this drive out makes me think that the road in during the winter might be difficult or worse. Maybe someone whose done this in winter will be along with more insight.

The new rockfall after a single strong rain storm was surprising.

edit: on the other hand we were in a Prius, so hey, that’s hardly a four wheeler!

[Justin Baker]

From what I remember, Canyon Creek is paved most of the way and the last section is dirt or gravel, I can’t remember how long the last section is. I know that its paved up to the free campground at least. Kat, if you want to do some winter camping up there this year let me know. I was talking to Morgan Rucks about doing a trip somewhere in the trinities. My noaa forcast for caribou lakes has forcasted a few feet of snow this week.

[Kattt]

I would definitively be interested in some winter trips up there. I did a snow trip with Morgan many years ago…..still remember some gruesome stories he told. We also dug way down to bare ground to make a fire, a good 8 feet…..was fun :)

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