Trinity is NorCal’s jewel of alpine lakes and granite peaks – many above 8000′ elevation, about 40 miles inland from the ocean. Trinity is located in between the infamous redwood coast and the I-5 corridor. Rivers, creeks, lakes, and trails into the high elevations regions, bqckpackers and equestrian campers alike.
Hiking trailheads are accessed from all sides -On the east side you have Trinity Lake & Trinity River w/ Highway 3 running lengthwise in a north-south direction. Hwy 299 runs east-west along the south side of the wilderness. Klamath River Hwy 96 lies on the west side of the wilderness. Salmon River, Scott Mountains and Cecilville are north of the alps.
Both the small Russian Wilderness & the larger Marble Mountain Wilderness are located to the north of Trinity Alps, along with rural towns near the Scott Mountains and the Salmon River. Castle Crags Wilderness is to the eastern side, near Interstate 5.
The mountainous area is quite unique, as exposed granite mountain peaks and alpine lakes are pretty rare in the coastal Cascade ranges. The only other spot in California that has an 8000′ peak nearing the coast is just north of Los Angeles – Los Padres’s Mount Abel & Mount Pinos peaks, both over 8000′ in elevation.
TRINITY ALPS TOPO MAP
The USDA map for Trinity Alps Wilderness was outta print for nearly 2 years and it has recently been updated and reprinted. New edition released in 2013 and now available at the Total Escape map store. Printed on waterproof map paper and updated in 2012.
CLOSED 2020-2022: Campground is undergoing some serious work with removal of hazardous trees and forest clean up. NOTE: DixieFire 2021 did not damage this portion of the forest highway (CA 36)
A developed USDA campground along forested Highway 36, near the junction of Chico’s Hwy 32. This stretch of 36 overlaps with north-south Lassen Hwy 89. Awesome fishing creek, meadows, hiking trails and mountain biking trails nearby. Paved, level camp sites w/ easy access to Lassen Volcanic Park and the National Forest.
This is a popular camp just south of the Lassen National Park boundary and 5 miles east of Child’s Meadow Resort. Car camp, tent camping, some spaces for large motorhomes. Plenty fishing, hiking and mountain biking trails.
Gurnsey Creek begins in Childs Meadows, north on Hwy 36 – just outside of Lassen National Park
Gurnsey Creek Campground, California
on Gurnsey Creek; Campground open May-October
(depending on snow)
Lassen Creek Camping
52 camp sites on Gurnsey Creek @ 4700′ elevation; vault toilets, creek and piped water, bear boxes; first come, first serve camping – and reservations are also accepted
Max Camper Length: no limitations
Shady forest camp sites w/ creek. Numerous fishing spots. Close to Lassen Volcanic National Park, Chester and Lake Almanor. Backpackers, day hikers and horseback riders will enjoy the PCT nearby. Pacific Crest Hiking Trail runs to the east side of this campround.
CHESTER, CA Rangers Office: 530-265-4531 Almanor Ranger DIstrict, Lassen NF
2 reservable Group Camps are available at this campground. Group Site 1 can accommodate up to 56 people; Group Site 2 can accommodate up to 112 people.
Free Camping nearby.
If you are seeking primitive camping in this Lassen area, look for dirt roads in the USDA National Forest lands, which surround the National Park boundary.
to the west – Lassen Road #14 – the Blue Ridge, north off of Hwy 89 @ Mineral.
to the south – Yellow Jacket Road #29N48 around Turner Mountain, which is south-southwest of Mill Creek.
to the east – Lassen Road #10 – head north off of Highway 89 in between Chester & Westwood.
Highly advised: a real map, a printed ‘hard copy’ shows both the National Park and the National Forest of Lassen on one map – with topographic features, all mountain peaks, creeks, lakes, trailheads, plus all dirt and paved roads.
2018 (Mendo Complex Wildfire) Ranch Fire
burnt most of this area
Located in the coastal mountain range north of Clear Lake and west of Stonyford, California; in between I-5 and US 101
On the southern half of the Mendocino National Forest.
60,076 acres
East Snow Mountain Peak – 7056′ elevation
West Snow Mountain Peak – 7038′ elevation
Lake Pillsbury – 1818′ elevation Mendocino National Forest
Eel River
Elk Creek
Cold Creek
Anderson Creek
Corbin Creek
Sheet Iron State Game Refuge
backpacking
camping
hang gliding
horseback trails
off roading
paragliding
snowboarding
snow shoeing
Wilderness permits and campfire permits are required. Check local rangers for up to date weather conditions, road closures, parking and trail conditions.
Dirt Roads M10 and M3 are the major routes around this mountain area. Route M10 is also known as 43A on some older maps. Several 4×4 trails skirt the wilderness boundary near the tallest peaks, so you may see some OHV use in this region when hiking.
ranger stations
EAST SIDE
National Forest Office
Grindstone Ranger District
Willows, CA
530-934-3316
Feather River Camping, Lake Almanor Campgrounds, Hat Creek, River Fishing NorCal, Topo Maps, California Campground Reservations, Lassen National Forest camp sites and all the outdoor recreation you can imagine.
Volcanic lands of Lassen National Park are surrounded by Lassen National Forest, which means if you cannot find camping inside the National Park – you can surely find it in the outlying regions – with rivers . The National Park Lassen Hwy 89 is often closed during winter months due to snow, as Diamond Peak & Reading Peak are around 8000′ elevation. In 2011 the south entrance did not open until late summer due to heavy snows.
A few Lassen campground sites may be reservable, more info with links below; the rest of the campgrounds in the green lists are on a first come, first serve basis.
A few PG&E Campgrounds can be found near Lake Alamanor, which are managed by the utility company and not listed on National Forest or National Park web sites.
MOST ALL CAMPGROUNDS CLOSED, due to Dixie Fire damages
LAKE ALMANOR – PG&E Campgrounds
Southshore @ Canyondam, CA
Black Butte Lake, West of Chico, CA
On the west side of Interstate 5. Campgrounds, boating, wildflowers and hiking trails.
Clear Lake Area
Bear Valley Road (long dirt road) which connects Hwy 20 to Stonyford. Look for small dirt road turn off (north) off of Highway 20. NE of Clear Lake, CA
BLM Glen Eden Trail
Lakeport @ Clear Lake, CA
w/ California Fawn Lilies and camping
Mill Creek, California
Giant, curly lupine on a big creek, just south of Lassen National Park. Park along Hwy 172 on the east side, about a mile before the Mill Creek Resort and hike along creek to find large lupine. Great picnic area.
Curly Lupine @ Mill Creek, CA
wildfire note: burn scars are excellent spots to find wild flowers
North Sierra Nevada Mountains
Bald Rock Road Loop, Berry Creek, CA
Granite dome above Lake Oroville SRA
Hiking trailhead, Scenic drive loop. Lupine, poppies, monkey flower, dogwoods. Wildflower drive through a recently burnt forest (2020) #BearFire
West facing canyons of the Sierra Nevada mountain range are prime spots for wild flora, especially in Springtime. Lots of rain means a great show can usually be found. Rivers exit the mountains and carve deep into the landscape. Lush green hills, oaks, boulders. Perfect picnic spots everywhere.
wildflowers bloom: March – July
make a whole day of it
Lower elevations bloom first in the year. Remember if the Central Valley is blooming fruit trees, the mountain foothills are starting up too. Mid-elevations, above 3000′ bloom in summer months, but below that – plenty of river canyons and reservoirs are superb locations to search for wild flowers.
High Sierra wildflowers start to bloom after the snow melt (and roads open) usually JUNE – JULY
Orchards Blooming, San Joaquin Valley, California
The steep Eastern Sierra canyons near US 395, do have some wildflowers in Spring. Rocky, higher elevations bloom in mid-summer. And what Eastern Sierra may lack in wildflowers, they make up for in Autumn Colors (best in the state)
One of the premiere counties for wildflowers inside California. Kern offers amazing displays (blankets of flowers) along roadways, on hillsides, and in the numerous canyons.
Obvious I-5
Interstate 5 – from the Grapevine up past Tejon Ranch, and over to Gorman is epic blooms of poppy and lupine. Annually in April and only if the previous winter was wet or snowy. For safety sake, please exit the freeway to view the flowers!
The famous high desert Poppy Preserve is located off of I-5, east on Hwy 138, way before the town of Lancaster, CA
But all this mentioned above is not technically the Sierra Nevada mountains, so we will move on…
CALIENTE ROAD
Off of Hwy 58 west (below Tehachapi) Often called Caliente exit, or Caliente Creek Road – the Bodfish-Caliente Road is a narrow, paved, back road that connects Highway 58 to the Lake Isabella area.
Driving this countryside route is long and curvy, but there are numerous pull-outs and places to see wild flora. Plan for half a day to reach Hwy 178. Gold Pan Canyon and rolling oak hills. Dirt roads lead into National Forests, but watch for private property and no trespassing signs. NOTE: You may need to stop the car. Get out and walk around to find these little beauties.
Historic Havilah has an old schoolhouse and a museum.
LewisHillPreserve (559) 738-0211
Along N Plano Street. North of Porterville, CA
NOTE: Lewis Hill Preserve is not open to the public except for special tours and events.
Lake Kaweah @ Three Rivers, CA
south of Sequoia National Park has wildflower displays along the lake shore, and with snow capped mountains in the background, it can make for excellent photos.
Sequoia Road J21 – HOMER RANCH Dirt back road on the north side of the Lake Kawaeah which connects to Sequoia National Park (the long way). Dry Creek Preserve, McKee Canyon, Ragle Canyon, Indian Canyon. Homer Ranch Preserve, open to the public weekends only, from November 1st – June 1st
Calif Gold Country
Foothills & River Canyons
American River Canyon – Hwy 49, South of Auburn, CA
This rural county fair started in 1921 and always held in the small mountain town of Hayfork, which is east of Hwy 299 and up hill from the Trinity River @ Douglas City; Carnival rides, games, exhibits, quilt show, horse show, mule show, rodeo. It’s the biggest thing to look forward to for locals, during the summer.
Mid summer in Northern Cal & the small town of Gasquet, near Klamath River, is holding its annual rafting celebration.
Race or not. Decorated rafts, floating, paddling the middle fork of the Smith River, all the way from the Horace Gasquet Bridge to Shady Bend Park. July is the time for fun in the sun & the water, with BBQ, local breweries featuring their stuff, craft vendors, plus tons of fun for the families. 52+ years running!
Beautiful park setting @ Lee Fong Park, in historic Weaverville
Historic Weaverville’s Car Show
Weaverville Chamber of Commerce & E Clampus Vitus (ECV #62) present NorCal’s summertime CarShow in Weaverville, a highlight of the Trinity River region. This classic auto display is held at a beautiful small town location & it’s been running for years. Event festivities spread out between the SuperMarket parking lot and Lee Fong Park, near downtown Weaverville, California; Camping & fishing are superb in these forests at this time of year. Make a long weekend of it!
Enjoy raffle prizes, Clamper breakfast, raffles, vendors, VFW Tri-Tip Lunch, Music, Shuttle Service to Historic Downtown Weaverville beginning 10 am Saturday.
This auto show event may have been previously referred to as “Car Show in The Park”
Crescent City in the infamous Redwood Empire of Northern California hosts the Del Norte County annual fair in late summer. This traditional country fair includes livestock, carnival, entertainment, talent show, 4H exhibits & arts. This is a prime time to plan a summer vacation to the north coast. More than a dozen local redwood campgrounds nearby to choose from.
Micro Brew Festival
Beer Festival Humboldt Redwoods
A one day event in Fortuna @ Rohner Park. This beer festival is the premier beer festival on the North Coast. Local microbrews from the region – Eel River, Mad River, Six Rivers and Lost Coast brewing companies, along with other Northern California and Oregon breweries.
Join old-fashioned fun in the sun all weekend in the Shasta area! McCloud’s Main Street Parade, vendor’s booths, nightly dance w/live music, baseball tournament, children’s events, horseshoe tournament, logging competitions, food, family games.
90 years running. Intermountain Fair is held annually at McArthur Fairgrounds, east of Fall River Mills, CA. Small town parade, exhibits, livestock, motocross, demolition derby, carnival rides and games. If you are looking for a small hometown fair inside California, this one is choice pickins.
The Inter-Mountain Fairgrounds is located in the northeastern tip of Shasta County on Highway 299E in the town of McArthur, CA. McArthur is located in the Fall River Valley – along with neighboring communities of Fall River Mills, Glenburn, Pittville, and Dana. All are farming communities with a total population of about 2,000 people @ 3400′ elevation.
Local farmers and ranchers parade fancifully decorated tractors and tractor-drawn wagons depicting holiday scenes down the Victorian Village’s historic Main Street. Sparkling country Christmas celebrations include the Tallest Living Tree Lighting, shopping and dining downtown. Romantic Christmas destination on the Northern California Redwood Coast!
BIG RIGS: The 18-wheelers stretching as long as 60 feet, include some with special parade additions that might be tacked on: bandstand platforms, dancing reindeer, flying fish, you name it. Join in this Eureka tradition, and you’ll never think of Jingle Bells in quite the same way again. The parade starts at 6 pm at Redwood Acres and goes to about 8:30 pm.
Silver Lake Road #10
20 miles off Highway 89. Northbound, outside of Westwood @ Lake Almanor, take County Road A21 to County Road 110 (Silver Lake Rd)
Dirt road boat ramp @ southern end of lake. Winter weather & snow closes this area annually, so this lake is mainly a summertime destination. Mid-week tends to be less popular for those seeking seclusion.
backpacking
fishing
camping
canoe
hiking
kayaking
Hiking trails lead to Caribou Lake, Emerald Lake, Betty Lake, Trail Lake, Shotoverin Lake & Caribou Wilderness.
Silver Bowl Campground NFS
• Elevation: 6400′
• Number of Sites: 18
• Vehicle Accessibility: small RV
• Campsites Reservation: No
• Camp Fee: Yes
• Toilet: Vault
• Water: piped/potable
• Length of Stay: 14 Days
• Season: May – October
• Trailheads: Caribou Wilderness
Lassen National Forest
Lassen National Forest
Almanor Ranger District
900 East Highway 36
Chester, CA 96020
530-258-2141
2 Silver Lake in East Lassen? Surely.
Only 12 miles apart. As the crow flies.
Largest is Silver Lake, south of Caribou Lake, Lassen National Forest. East of the National Park, accessible by vehicle. The popular one that is mentioned above.
Small Silver Lake at 6600′ elevation, is a hike-in only lake. Inside Lassen National Park, west of Snag Lake and the Fantastic Lava Beds.
Hiking trailheads are accessed from all sides -On the east side you have Trinity Lake & Trinity River w/ Highway 3 running lengthwise in a north-south direction. Hwy 299 runs east-west along the south side of the wilderness. Klamath River Hwy 96 lies on the west side of the wilderness. Salmon River, Scott Mountains and Cecilville are north of the alps.
