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Trinity Alps Wilderness:
Four Lakes Loop

Terrain

Fairly strenuous first day of hiking, from either the south or the east. Trails are fairly well-maintained, but some sections can be moderate to strenuous, with the possibility of snow-crossings or unstable footing on steep slopes. However, the scenery is absolutely 110% worth the effort put in on the trail - this loop is perhaps the most spectacular in the entire wilderness area.

Distance & Elevation

15 +/- miles over several days, 7 mile approach first day. Maximum elevation of 8,143 feet, trailhead elevation of 3,750 feet.

Getting There & Map:


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From Ashland, OR - take I-5 south to the California border. Drive less than an hour to Yreka, and take the main exit. Drive south through Yreka onto Fort Jones Rd/Highway 3. Drive about an hour and a half on Highway 3, passing Fort Jones, Etna, the Scott Mountain Summit, and the Coffee Creek Ranger Station. Continue driving south on Highway 3 for another 25 minutes, and take a right on Long Canyon Road. Continue past the residential areas, and eventually take a right-hand cutoff for the Long Canyon Trailhead.

Recommended Equipment

*note* This list is not all-inclusive, and is intended for recommendation only. All backpackers have their own preferences and choices in terms of gear.

  • 55-85L Backpack
  • Sturdy Waterproof Boots
  • Scree gaiters
  • 15 degree Synthetic or Down Sleeping Bag
  • Sleeping Pad (Thermarest or similar)
  • Lightweight 3-season tent
  • Liquid fuel or Canister stove
  • Fuel Bottles or Canister Fuel
  • Pot set - aluminum, steel, or titanium
  • Headlamp with extra batteries
  • Map, Compass, GPS optional
  • Sun Hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Hiking Poles
  • Lip Balm and sunscreen
  • Light First Aid Kit
  • Cordage for clothes-lines, lashing, hanging bear-bags (30-50 ft)
  • Lighter, Waterproof Matches
  • Sewing Kit, Duct Tape (wind a small amount on your poles)
  • 2-3 Water containers, e.g. bottles, reservoirs, etc
  • Water Filter (many options)
  • Book or etc
  • Toilet trowel
  • Backpacker's towel
  • Rain Jacket, Rain Pants
  • Long Underwear top and bottom (no cotton!)
  • Two or more pairs of socks, liners (no cotton!)
  • Hiking shorts
  • Hiking Shirt
  • Synthetic or Down insulated jacket
  • Warm Hat
  • Pack Cover or Pack Liner
  • Stuff Sacks (at least one extra)

Food & Water

*note* This is intended as a recommendation - everyone's preferences for backpacking food are different.

Plan to drink 2-3L of water per day! Pack one pre-packaged, dehydrated meal in the bottom of your pack for emergencies. Here at AOS, we like oatmeal or cream-of-wheat for breakfasts. Dried fruit, brown sugar, butter, and powdered milk make these hot breakfasts delicious! For lunches, you have many options. Bagels with dried hummus, cheese, mustard, and salami makes a hearty meal, and bagels keep well for up to a week. Package cheese in a double-wrap of tin foil, and be delicate with it - this will keep the cheese fresh for a long while! Other lunch options include crispbread with cheese and fruit, dried hummus, etc - the options are endless. Bring trail mix for snacks and as a compliment for lunches. We like to bring a small selection of energy food as well: chews, gels, bars (your preference). For dinner, we recommend hearty meals that don't take up much space: pastas, soups, etc. Salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder, spike, yeast, hot sauce, and olive oil all make great additions to any meal.

Keep in mind that amount of food and food choice varies greatly with length of trip, season, amount of people in your group, and dietary restriction. We feel that we always end up with less gear and more food - a good principle to follow.

Another thing to consider as a general principle, based on season. Plan to consume:
Warm conditions - 1 1/2 lbs per person, per day = 2,500 to 3,000 calories
Cooler Conditions - 1 3/4-2 lbs per person, per day = 3,000 to 3,500 calories
Cold, or Winter conditions - 2-2 1/2 lbs per person, per day = 3,500 to 5,000 calories

Additional Info

The approach from the east, from Long Canyon Trailhead makes for a slightly more strenuous, but much more beautiful first day - it is also shorter in terms of mileage. Okay camping can be found at the end of a long first day down the west side of Bee Tree Gap, roughly 7 miles in from the trailhead. Lake Anna, which is accessed via a day-long scramble (either from Echo Lake to the south, or the saddle about 3/4 of a mile east of Bee Tree Gap), is one of the best lakes in the whole wilderness area: beautiful vistas, and incredible camping on the east side of the lake (rocky platforms). Don't miss it!

Resources & Links

  • Coffee Creek Ranger Station
    Coffee Creek, CA
    (503)266-3211
  • Summit Post (great write-up, photos, topo maps!)