Destination guide
Wildlife in Washington State
Elk, mountain goats, orcas, snow geese and wintering eagles — Washington's best wildlife places by season, with the rules that protect them.
Hiking guide
Trinity Alps Weekend Getaway: Planning the Four Lakes Loop in Northern California
Deer, Summit, Diamond and Luella lakes ring Siligo Peak in the Trinity Alps Wilderness. Here is how to plan a responsible weekend backpacking trip.
The Trinity Alps Wilderness in northwestern California is a rugged landscape of granite peaks, glacial cirques and high lakes, managed mainly by the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. It is quieter than the Sierra Nevada and rewards hikers who are comfortable with steep trails and self-reliance.
The Four Lakes Loop is one of its classic high-country circuits. It links Deer Lake, Summit Lake, Diamond Lake and Luella Lake around Siligo Peak, with wide views across the range. Most people reach it on a multi-day backpacking trip, often over a long weekend.
The route in outline
The loop itself is a relatively short circuit in the high country, but it sits several miles and several thousand feet of climbing from the nearest trailheads. Two common approaches are:
- Long Canyon trailhead: the shorter, steeper approach, climbing to the high country through Long Canyon.
- Stuart Fork trailhead: a longer, more gradual approach up the Stuart Fork valley, often combined with other lakes.
Depending on the trailhead and side trips, a full trip is commonly in the range of roughly 18 to 25 miles (29 to 40 km) round trip, with substantial elevation gain. The lakes and passes lie in the high country, generally above about 7,000 feet (2,100 m). Distances and elevations vary between sources; use an up-to-date map and the Forest Service's current trail information rather than relying on any single figure.
When to go
The high country is usually most accessible from early or mid-summer, once snow has melted from the passes, until the first autumn storms. Midsummer brings wildflowers and mosquitoes near the lakes; late summer and early autumn are often drier and quieter but can be affected by wildfire smoke. Afternoon thunderstorms are possible in summer; plan to be off exposed ridges and passes when they build.
Wildlife in the Trinity Alps
The wilderness is home to black bears, mule deer and a range of montane birds and small mammals. Wildflowers and conifer forests change with elevation. Most wildlife encounters here involve deer around camps and the occasional black bear; both are wild animals that should not be fed or approached.
Getting there
The Trinity Alps are reached via Weaverville and the Trinity Lake area in Trinity County. Trailhead roads may be partly unpaved. Fuel, supplies and the nearest ranger station are in the surrounding communities; confirm hours before you travel.
References
Facts in the Key facts boxes are drawn from the sources listed under References. Rules, seasons and access change — confirm with the official authority before you go. How we work.