Papoose Lake Route
Many
people opt for this route because it is shorter than Grizzly Lake. Some hearty
weekend hikers attempt this 14 mile destination in a weekend, but this trip
is definitely more feasible for a three day weekend trip. The best plan of attack
is to work your way toward a base camp below the upper reaches of Rattlesnake
Creek drainage and then day hike to Papoose Lake.
Trail directions: At
Rattlesnake Camp junction (4 miles in), take a right at the marked trail. Follow
the near side of Rattlesnake Creek, where for about 1 mile there are many camp
spots until you eventually cross the creek on the left. Prepare for a steady uphill
hike from there with fewer camping spots until Brown's Mine area. Beyond Brown's
Mine you will find only widely-scattered camping spots along the way, almost all
next to the side streams you cross along the way. One of the best spots to base
camp is Ennus Camp at the end of the trail before the ascent to Papoose Lake.
This creek's drainage, incidentally, was heavily mined until it was incorporated
into the wilderness area in 1978. Consequently, you will see large mounds of tailings
and remnants of industrial mining equipment tucked next to the creek at times.
(Trail Map) [131K JPEG]
Always keep your food carefully
stored on a bear hang because I encountered several bears on my last journey
in October. Hiking to Papoose Lake then was such a discovery for me, a hidden
lake shimmering beneath the sharp aretes of the Trinity Alps.
How about the Grizzly
Lake Route.
