Hiking In California

Distance: 18 miles one way / 2 Days

Rating: Difficult (4 out of 5)

from Highway 3 at Scott Mountain Campground to Cecilville Road near the northern border of the Trinity Alps Wilderness.

Short hikes on spur trails to a number of wilderness lakes are the highlight of this section of the Pacific Crest Trail. From the camp at Scott Mountain, the trail is routed west for five miles, where the first of a series of lakes is within 1/2 mile of the trail.

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Distance: 4.5 miles / 3.25 hours

Rating: Moderate (3 out of 5)

in the Trinity Alps Wilderness west of Callahan

The Trail Gulch Trail rises along Trail Gulch Creek, steeply at times, but in just 2 1/4 miles, you’ll arrive at Trail Gulch Lake. That makes it close enough to go in and out in a day, or better yet, you can make it a good weekend overnighter without tremendous strain. Set northeast of Deadman Peak (7,741 feet) in the Trinity Alps Wilderness, the round, pretty lake is stocked by airplane every year with small trout (a nice bonus). Another bonus is how simple it is to extend your trip either to other mountain lakes or deep into the Trinity Alps Wilderness. Long Gulch Lake is just another three miles from Trail Gulch Lake, making it a good side trip.

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Distance: 3 miles one way / 1 day

Rating: Moderate (3 out of 5)

from Cecilville Rd west of Callahan to the southern border of the Russian Wilderness

The long steady climb up to the southern border of the Russian Wilderness starts from the bottom of the canyon at the North Fork Scott River. From the trailhead, a good side trip (to the south) is the short hike to Hidden Lake or South Fork Lakes.

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Distance: 7 miles / 2 days

Rating: Moderate

in the Russian Wilderness west of Callahan

Because few people use this trail, it has largely been decommissioned by the Forest Service – this is, no trail maintenance is performed. For most hikers, the trailhead for the Pacific Crest Trail off the Cecilville-Callahan Road is by far preferable. This provides a much easier route into the southern portion of the Russian Wilderness, but it will add 10 miles to your round trip.

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Distance: 6 miles / 4 hours

Rating: Moderate (3 out of 5)

in the Russian Wilderness west of Etna

Statue Lake earned its name from the unique granite sculptures that frame the back wall of the lake. When you first arrivae at the small lake, it’s a wondrous yet solemn sight, one of nature’s mountain temples. Some of the granite outcrops look like fingers sculpted with a giant chisel. There is a small primitive campsite on a granite bluff, from which you can often see small brook trout rising to feed in the lake.

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Distance: 1 mile / .5 hour

Rating: Beginner (1 out of 5)

from Etna Summit into the Russian Wilderness west of Etna

Taylor Lake is proof that wilderness-like lakes can be accessible by wheelchair. The trail is made of hard-packed dirt and is wheelchair accessible, though wheelchairs with wide wheels are recommended.

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