The Canyon Creek
trailhead is one of the most popular trails in the Trinity Alps for a couple good
reasons--access and spectacular beauty.
Within 8 to 9 miles from
the trailhead you can reach three alpine lakes nestled deep within the Alps.
From these lakes (known as Canyon Creek Lakes), you can see 9000 foot Thompson
Peak in the distance and the granite valley below. At these lakes see if you
can't find the "L" Lake tucked behind the back ridge. In a shorter distance
(about 5-6 miles), the trail travels through lush meadows situated in a long
and wide glaciated valley where most people like to camp. This extended and
terraced series of meadows helps absorb the large number of visitors and provides
privacy for most campers. From these meadows many people like to hike up to
the lakes because few camping spots are available there, not to mention the
arduous journey to reach them with heavy backpacks strapped to your back. The trail starts level across
an easy cut leading immediately to a small side creek, after which then slopes
upward through an oak woodland for 3 miles to an area known as the "Sinks."
For the easiest hike-in camping, the "Sinks" is your destination, a strange
place where water bubbles up through the rocks. Past this junction, the canopy
begins to open up to granite exposures and introduce you to many switchbacks.
At the top you will discover a waterfall, which is a common resting spot, just
before entering the beginning of the meadows. Trail
Map An alternative camping destination
lies about 8 miles in -- called Boulder Creek Lakes. This trail branches off
to the west at about 6 miles in, just past the main meadows referred to earlier.
These tiny lakes are a good choice if you don't like crowds because for some
reason few people visit them. Despite the crowds, Canyon Creek is consistently
a favorite choice among backpackers and hikers in the Trinity Alps. I would
avoid this trailhead on holidays. Best Part: easy access,
a moderately short hike in to camping spots, numerous camp sites, and immediate
scenery (with views of Thompson Peak 9 miles from trailhead) Directions: A little
over 5 miles west of Weaverville at Junction City on Hwy. 299, take Canyon Creek
Road to the right. This easy to miss. You will see a "V" shape cafe on the right
before Canyon Creek crosses beneath the highway. Go about 12 miles to where
the road dead ends. No running water is available here but bathrooms are present.
This is where the trailhead begins and there is only one way up the Canyon Creek
drainage (except an immediate right which is obviously a different, rarely used
route over the ridge). A campground called Ripstein exists just 1 miles from
the trailhead.
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