Category: Wilderness Areas

Russian Wilderness – PCT

darabylah1 Comment

The Pacific Crest Trail goes north-south through the heart of Russian Wilderness for 20 miles, Callahan Summit on Cecilville Road, to Etna Summit on Sawyer’s Bar Road. Consider going north to south to avoid northbound PCT hikers.

  • Etna Summit Trailhead (5,980 ft) to Carter Meadows Trailhead (6,180 ft) = 20.2 miles
    • Upper Ruffey Lake Saddle @ 1.7 miles
    • Paynes Lakes @ 5.9 miles
    • Slopes below Statue Lake @ 9.2 miles
    • South Russian Creek Canyon @ 14.0 miles
    • Carter Meadow Summit @ 20.2 miles

 

High & Sugar Lakes – Russian Wilderness

darabylahLeave a comment
  • Forest Service Road 41N14, turn left and go 3 miles for Sugar Creek Trail
  • Faint trail to Sugar Lake, not well-marked, recreation is not promoted to protect the botanical diversty of the area
  • 4+ miles from Sugar Creek Trailhead to High Lake, no trail from Sugar Lake
  • Second highest lake in Russian Wilderness after Josephine Lake
  • Brown and rainbow trout

From the Sugar Creek Trailhead:

  • @ 1.5 miles, turn off to South Sugar Lake Trail = 1.5 miles to South Sugar Lake
  • @ 3 miles to Sugar Lake (4800-5900 feet)
    • 2.5 acres, 6 feet deep, 5900 feet elevation, rainbow trout
  • @ 1+ miles from Sugar Lake, follow inlet creek northwest to ridge between Sugar and Little Duck Lakes, the contour south for 1.8 mile

highlake

 

High & Sugar Lakes

darabylahLeave a comment
  • Forest Service Road 41N14, turn left and go 3 miles for Sugar Creek Trail
  • Faint trail to Sugar Lake, not well-marked, recreation is not promoted to protect the botanical diversty of the area
  • 4+ miles from Sugar Creek Trailhead to High Lake, no trail from Sugar Lake
  • Second highest lake in Russian Wilderness after Josephine Lake
  • Brown and rainbow trout

From the Sugar Creek Trailhead:

  • @ 1.5 miles, turn off to South Sugar Lake Trail = 1.5 miles to South Sugar Lake
  • @ 3 miles to Sugar Lake (4800-5900 feet)
    • 2.5 acres, 6 feet deep, 5900 feet elevation, rainbow trout
  • @ 1+ miles from Sugar Lake, follow inlet creek northwest to ridge between Sugar and Little Duck Lakes, the contour south for 1.8 mile

highlake