10/11-13/14
25.5 miles, 8750' gained, 2 nights
An excellent weekend trip to these very nice lakes. We had some time trying to find the off trail route through the manzanita and oak trying to get up to Morris and Smith lakes, but once the path was found it was much easier going—quite a few nicks and scrapes!
No one else seen once we left the Stuart Fork trail. A very nice trip, with nice weather. Highly recommended as an alternative to some of the busier lakes in the area. Bring your band-aids!
Trinity Alps- Stuart Fork - Alpine, Morris & Smith Lakes
- arundodonax
- Posts: 1043
- Joined: August 12th, 2010, 8:02 pm
Re: Trinity Alps- Stuart Fork - Alpine, Morris & Smith Lakes
Or wear heavier clothes as protection, which should not be so bad in the Fall. I've got some abrasion-resistant pants that are designed for climbers that do well in heavy, pointy brush. I suppose a pointed manaznita branch will stab through anything under some conditions.Bring your band-aids!
I think that northern Calif is forecast for a decent snowfall later this week. So these areas may be closing for the season. I'm assuming you got up fairly high with those EG stats. Maybe some lower areas will still be accessible once these storms pass.
- retired jerry
- Posts: 14395
- Joined: May 28th, 2008, 10:03 pm
Re: Trinity Alps- Stuart Fork - Alpine, Morris & Smith Lakes
There are so many places to hike there. I could spend a lifetime before I got everywhere there.
Re: Trinity Alps- Stuart Fork - Alpine, Morris & Smith Lakes
what an awesome looking area. What were the temps like this time of year? Planning on moving to Ashland next summer, can not wait to explore the trinity Alps
Re: Trinity Alps- Stuart Fork - Alpine, Morris & Smith Lakes
This is very nice, Chris!arundodonax wrote:
Granite....
#pnw #bestlife #bitingflies #favoriteyellowcap #neverdispleased
Re: Trinity Alps- Stuart Fork - Alpine, Morris & Smith Lakes
Great TR! Love the granite. Curse you (but in a nice way ) for forcing me to add yet another hike to my bucket list!
Re: Trinity Alps- Stuart Fork - Alpine, Morris & Smith Lakes
Alright everybody, granite shmanite! Where is the moss? (on the south side of the trees) Where are the huge cedars? How about a volcano or two? Oh right - Shasta. What about freezing rain on the road to the trailhead? Any of that in the Trinities?
- retired jerry
- Posts: 14395
- Joined: May 28th, 2008, 10:03 pm
Re: Trinity Alps- Stuart Fork - Alpine, Morris & Smith Lakes
when I was there November 1 it barely got below freezing
weather report NOAA
you can scroll around and get weather for any spot. It was within a few degrees for my trip Nov 1
weather report NOAA
you can scroll around and get weather for any spot. It was within a few degrees for my trip Nov 1
Re: Trinity Alps- Stuart Fork - Alpine, Morris & Smith Lakes
Wow! Like Jerry said: there's so much there. We went in June, and now I want to go back and do what you did. Thanks for the trip report
drm wrote:Alright everybody, granite shmanite! Where is the moss? (on the south side of the trees) Where are the huge cedars? How about a volcano or two? Oh right - Shasta. What about freezing rain on the road to the trailhead? Any of that in the Trinities?
- arundodonax
- Posts: 1043
- Joined: August 12th, 2010, 8:02 pm
Re: Trinity Alps- Stuart Fork - Alpine, Morris & Smith Lakes
We read that there was a clearly marked path—and there was—but we had a hard time finding it so we went straight through where it was really thick. If you know where you're going it's not a problem.drm wrote:Or wear heavier clothes as protection, which should not be so bad in the Fall. I've got some abrasion-resistant pants that are designed for climbers that do well in heavy, pointy brush. I suppose a pointed manaznita branch will stab through anything under some conditions.Bring your band-aids!
I think that northern Calif is forecast for a decent snowfall later this week. So these areas may be closing for the season. I'm assuming you got up fairly high with those EG stats. Maybe some lower areas will still be accessible once these storms pass.
I'm hoping that snow levels stay about 6000' this weekend—I'm crossing my fingers.
This was about a month ago—temps were highs in the 70s lows in the 40s. The trinities run pretty hot, so the fall and spring are great times to go—the summer can get too hot, however (it's not fun to climb 4000' when it's 95 out).Surridge wrote:what an awesome looking area. What were the temps like this time of year? Planning on moving to Ashland next summer, can not wait to explore the trinity Alps