Recommended Route: North Fork Trail from Mulebridge Campground, up the North Fork of the Salmon River.
- Trail is recommended for mid to late summer due to high flows at creek crossings.
- The Garden Gulch and Little North Fork Trails are not recommended.
Season: June – October
Moderate to Difficult Trail
Camping: Idlewild or Mulebridge Campgrounds on North Fork Salmon River

From the Mulebridge Trailhead going up the North Fork Salmon River:

13 miles to Hancock Lake
@ 6 miles in, Right Hand Fork trail
@ 8.5 miles in, Lake of the Island Trail
- 2 miles OW to Lake of the Island, river crossing, 4,200 feet elevation
- Lake of The Island: 13 acres, 25 feet deep, 5,600 feet elevation, brook and rainbow trout
@ 10.5 miles, Abbott Lake Trail, 2 river crossings past Lake of the Island Trail
- 1 mile OW climb to lake, river crossing, 4,800 feet elevation
- Abbott Lake: 8 acres, 20 feet deep, 5,700 feet elevation, brook trout
@ 10.5 miles Big Meadows/Big Gulch Trail to Wild Lake, Lake Ethel, Lake Katherine, Horse Range Lake, Wooley Creek

@ 13.5 miles – Horse Range Lake (+3 steep miles from Abbott Cabin)

@ 14.5 miles – Wild Lake (+4 steep miles)

Exiting Wooley Creek Trail #5832 = 19 miles from junction with Big Meadows Trail from Wild Lake, to the Wooley Creek Trailhead
Exiting Marble Rim
- Big Elk Lake is 7.3 miles from Lover’s Camp Trailhead
Exiting Garden Gulch or Little North Fork Trail – not recommended

Duck Lakes – Russian Wilderness

January 1, 2017January 1, 2017 darabylahLeave a comment

4 miles to Big Duck Lake, 0.5 miles further to Little Duck Lake
2+ Day Trip

Details:

Best season = June to October
Moderately strenuous hike
Great views to Mount Shasta, Salmon Mountains and Scott Valley
Duck Lake Special Interest Area/Botanical Area
- Known as the Miracle Mile, 17 conifer species are present in the drainage
- Relic species: Foxtail pine, Englemann spruce, subalpine and Pacific silver fir
Approximately 4 hour drive from Eureka, CA on Highway 299 to 3 near Callahan:
- From Highway 3 between Callahan and Etna, CA
- Turn west on French Creek Road for 6.7 miles
- Right on 40N22 for 1 mile
- Right on 41N14 for 1.3 miles to parking area
Hiking to Duck Lakes from Duck Lake Trailhead @ 4800 feet elevation:
- 4 mile moderate hike from Duck Lake Trailhead to Big Duck Lake
  - Big Duck Lake = 26 acres @ 27 feet deep @ 6400 feet elevation
  - Eastern brook trout and rainbow trout
  - Largest lake in the Russian Wilderness
  - 0.5 mile difficult hike with 700 foot elevation gain to Little Duck LakeLittle Duck Lake = 5 acres @ 18 feet deep @ 6700 feet elevation
    - Eastern brook trout
Hiking to Horseshoe Lake:
- 4 mile moderate hike from Duck Lake Trailhead to Horseshoe Lake
- 1.5 mile moderate hike from Duck/Eaton Lakes Trail intersection
  - Horseshoe Lake = 6.1 acres @ 21 feet deep @ 6400 feet elevation
  - Eastern brook trout and rainbow trout
Hiking to Lipstick Lake:
- 4 mile difficult hike from Duck Lake Trailhead to Horseshoe Lake
- 3 mile moderate hike from Music Creek Trailhead to Horseshoe Lake
  - Horseshoe Lake = 1.25 acres @ 9 feet deep @ 6350 feet elevation
  - Eastern brook trout
Hiking to Eaton Lakes:
- 4.5 mile difficult hike from Duck Lake Trailhead to Eaton Lake
- Approximately 1 mile difficult hike from Duck/Eaton Lakes Trail intersection
  - Eaton Lake = 11 acres @ 27 feet deep @ 6600 feet elevation
  - Trail is steep and hard to follow, not recommended for stock
  - Private property
  - Rainbow trout

Links:

Driving Directions – About 4 hours from Eureka, CA via Highway 299 to 3

Alternative Scenic Route: Salmon River Road

Lost Coast Trail

December 27, 2016June 10, 2022 darabylahLeave a comment

NORTHERN LOST COAST TRAIL

24.8 miles along the Pacific Ocean north of Shelter Cove
Mattole Beach to Black Sand Beach in Shelter Cover
3-4 days each way
Usually hiked north to south for wind reasons

SOUTHERN LOST COAST TRAIL

22.1 miles along the Pacific Ocean south of Shelter Cove
Needle Rock Beach to Usal Beach
3-4 days each way
Usually hiked north to south for wind reasons

Shasta-Trinity National Forest

December 27, 2016June 10, 2022 darabylahLeave a comment

Lost Coast

December 27, 2016February 15, 2021 darabylah1 Comment

The Lost Coast is a rugged coastal wilderness that feels like an escape to another world. As the longest undeveloped coastal region in the contiguous US, you can hike along the ocean for days.