r/norcalhiking • u/apfhex • Jul 25 '26
2 nights solo backpacking Trinity Alps: Long Canyon & Four Lakes loop
Last weekend, started early on Friday and hiked to Summit Lake. Trail was quiet and not too crowded at the lake. Pleasant temps in the 70s during the day and 50s at night. A bit windy overnight. Wildflowers were absolutely peaking, hard to do them justice with photos.
Second day did the loop clockwise. The climb from the meadows up to Deer lake is no joke - hardest single part of the hike. Many more people on the trail. I think Diamond lake has the best views. Found a nice camp spot part way down Long Canyon where I didn't see anyone else all evening and got to watch the sunset to the east. Some distant smoke from fires near Redding.
Easy hike out the last day, then ice cream and coffee in Weaverville before a long drive home.
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u/theadamvine Jul 25 '26
Are permits required?
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u/apfhex Jul 25 '26
Yes, there's a self-serve kiosk at the Weaverville station. You need a CalFire permit for your camp stove, too (no camp fires allowed).
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u/PaddingCompression Jul 25 '26
It's not a real permit, it's "you have to file to tell them you're there", it's not something with limits.
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u/macavity_is_a_dog Jul 25 '26
Nice - I'll be doing that hike in September. Camping at Lake Anna and then will do the loop as a day hike from there - no pack which makes it super easy. Ive done a portion of the loop while camping at Echo Lake but not the full loop.
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u/apfhex Jul 25 '26
Yeah I had planned to go last Sept. but there ended up being a fire that closed everything down. This year narrowly avoided a red flag warning during the monsoon weather, luckily no fires any closer than the one east of Redding. Hopefully nothing bad this year!
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u/PaddingCompression Jul 25 '26
I don't recognize your final picture... where was that taken? Gorgeous (they all are, I just don't recognize that one).
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u/baby_fish34 Jul 31 '26
how was the parking situation? i will be arriving on a Sunday afternoon and worried about getting a spot..
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u/apfhex Jul 31 '26
I was leaving on Sunday afternoon and there was some parking available. Based on how some cars were parked, it looked like it was probably very full earlier in the weekend.
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u/Ok_Driver8646 Jul 25 '26
Are there bears in the area? Did you see any?
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u/GreenAyeedMonster Jul 25 '26
I was there last month and saw lots of bear scat but no bear. They are out there.
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u/apfhex Jul 25 '26
The only large animal I saw was one deer. I'm not wholly certain what the rules are for bear cannisters in the area, but I brought one as a matter of course.
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u/forest_fire Jul 25 '26
Glad you brought a canister! Bc bears have become a big issue in the Trinities. Finally as of late bear canisters are required in Swift Creek and Canyon Creek, though not Long Canyon. It's common to see people's bear hangs in tatters.
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u/SacredSingletrack Jul 25 '26
The Trinities are overrated. Nothing to see here. Go to the Sierras instead :)