Walk past blooms of wildflowers on the Four Lakes Loop trail in the Trinity Alps Wilderness of Northern California. This hidden gem is only accessible from April to October when the otherwise snowy mountain wilderness is thawed and covered in beautiful summer wildflowers.
This 18.4-mile trail is an ideal multi-day trek or one long day of hiking. The Four Lakes Loop trail offers some of the most breathtaking summer views and an escape from the heat of the valley. Challenge yourself to this strenuous hike and see summer wildflowers in Northern California.
Begin your hiking adventure at the trailhead, located just off State Route 3, near Trinity Lake.
The trailhead is shared with the Long Canyon Trail. The 12.8-mile trail stops at Deer Lake, whereas Four Lakes Loop takes hikers around Siligo Peak, next to several other lakes.
This trail guides hikers through beautiful meadows and granite mountain peaks. This particular trail goes past four pristine mountain lakes with incredible vistas. You’ll be surprised this is California and not the Swiss Alps!
The immersion into the wilderness begins almost immediately.
The trail is near the east fork of Stuart Fork, a tributary of Trinity River. In addition to the river, there are numerous springs in this wet and vibrant green landscape.
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The first few miles of the trail are shaded by pine trees. This shade will help keep you cool as you climb in elevation. Around mile three you will come across a freshwater stream.
Then, due to the high elevation, the tree cover becomes sparse and it is a completely exposed journey for a few miles. You’ll reach a landmark called Bee Tree, where you can sit and rest.
At this point, you can decide if you want to hike clockwise or counterclockwise on the loop portion of the trail.
There is a considerable amount of elevation gain on this challenging trail. Be sure to plan your hike accordingly in order to acclimatize. You’ll need layered clothing, plenty of water and snacks, as well as hiking shoes with traction. Come up with a plan and take it slowly. You can get all the gear, as well as camping food, at REI.
The trail takes approximately 11 and a half hours to complete. You can do the trail in one long day if you start early, but to get the full experience you’ll want to camp overnight. To stay overnight, first you’ll need to get a wilderness permit. These are free and can be obtained at the Weaverville and Shasta Lake Ranger Stations. Permits are also required if you plan on having a fire or a camping stove.
This Alpine region is a great place to explore the wilderness of California, see wild animals, and swim in cool mountain lakes.
After completing the hike, spend a day on the shores of the neighboring Trinity Lake. There are many campgrounds on Trinity Lake that are not far from the trailhead. Alpine View Campground and Hayward Flat Campground are just a short drive away.
Many hikers have said this lake is one of the best places in California to see wildflowers. So make a plan to hike and camp on this incredible trail to see a part of California that is not explored by most residents.
