The Trinity Alps Backcountry Discovery Trail threads through the heart of one of the most geologically wild and botanically bizarre corners of North America, connecting the Sacramento River drainage to the deep canyon country of the Salmon River. Along the way, ancient gold mining history, snow-capped alpine lakes, fire lookouts with views that stop you cold, and a stretch through the rarely visited Russian Wilderness make this one of the finest overland routes in Northern California.
Into the (Trinity) Alps | Trinity Alps #1 - Ever since we visited the Siskiyous back in 2023, I've wanted to return to explore the northern reaches of California, west of Mt. Shasta. This region - dominated by the Klamath Mountains - contains so many gems, including the Trinity Alps, Mt. Eddy, Tamarack Lake, Mt. Shasta, and a favorite that we've hiked several times: Castle Crags. @mini.turbodb enjoying herself in the granite wonderland of the Crags. After finding a route on Overland Trail Guides that Ben had put together - some 300 miles of backroads through this magical area - we pretty much stopped our "where are we going…Continue readingInto the (Trinity) Alps | Trinity Alps #1
We Could See Everything | Trinity Alps #2 - I never used to be a peakbagger. For a long time, I never even really hiked to the tops of mountains. And then, sort of as a joke, I built an entire trip to Death Valley's Owlshead Mountains to hike the Lowest Peak in the Park. Because if you're going to hike a peak, why not the lowest? That led to hiking the highest, and I'm now a little more than halfway through hitting the highest peaks in the Death Valley ranges. I'm still not a peakbagger, but I have found that I like a good summit. Today would be…Continue readingWe Could See Everything | Trinity Alps #2
Tricky Trails and Endless Views | Trinity Alps #4 - We awoke on the shores of Tamarack Lake to a soft lapping of waves on the shore. It wouldn't be long before the sun was once again high in the sky, but for now, it was just peeking over the horizon. I'm not usually a huge fan of lakeside sites, but this was definitely a gem. The golden glow that last only a few minutes. With a full day ahead of us if we hoped to finish the route - which we did hope to do - we were thrilled to find the tent completely void of dew, even with…Continue readingTricky Trails and Endless Views | Trinity Alps #4
Boulders | Trinity Alps #3 - We didn't know it when we awoke to the beauty of Bluff Lake, but we'd end up at an even more beautiful location - Tamarack Lake - by the time the sun was setting again. First though, we had to get there. And that meant getting going toward our summit of the highest peak around, Mt. Eddy. First light. When you want to be on the waterfront. So peaceful in the warm glow before sunrise. With an eight-mile hike ahead of us, @mrs.turbodb got breakfast prepped - cereal and the last of our home-grown blueberries - while I put away…Continue readingBoulders | Trinity Alps #3