Category: Russian Wilderness

Salmon River

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CAMPING

Camping – Main Stem Salmon River

Camping – North Fork Salmon River

Camping – South Fork Salmon River

Bigfoot Trail

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  1. Bigfoot Trail Alliance
  2. 360 miles through 32 conifer species in the Klamath Mountains
  3. 8 sections of the Trail:
    1. Yolla Bolly – Middle Eel Wilderness = 33.6 miles
    2. Trinity River Region = 65.2 miles
    3. Trinity Alps Wilderness = 57 miles
    4. Russian Wilderness = 14.3 miles
    5. Marble Mountain Wilderness = 60.9 miles
    6. Red Buttes Wilderness = 41.3 miles
    7. Siskiyou Wilderness = 43.8 miles
    8. Redwood Forest Region = 40.3 miles 
  4. List of conifers species on Bigfoot Trail

bigfoot-trail-route

Duck Lakes – Russian Wilderness

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  • 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

Russian Wilderness

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Nor-Cal Adventures Blog Pages:

Helpful links to other pages:

Hiking Trails:

Hiking Trails:

  • High Lake from Little Duck Lake = 5.2 miles
  • South Sugar Lake from Bingham Trail pass = 1.5 miles

Big Blue Loop = 8.5 miles

High Lake from Duck Lake Trailhead via Little Duck Lake = 5.2 miles w/XC

South Sugar Lake from Bingham Lake Trailhead = 1.5 miles w/ XC

Russian Lake = 4 miles

Russian Wilderness Weeklong Trip

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Starts at Deacon Lee Trailhead, ends at Etna Summit, captures highlights of Pacific Crest Trail in Russian Wilderness. Possibly not clear of snow until late June/July.

7-Day Trip

  1. Russian Lake @ 4 miles from Deacon Lee Trailhead
  2. Russian Lake  – Crosscountry day hike to lakes
    1. Waterdog Lake @ 0.5 miles from Russian Lake
    2. Lower Russian Lake – No trail
    3. Upper Russian Lake – No trail
    4. Golden Russian Lake – No trail
  3. Bingham Lake @ 3 miles from Russian Lake
    1. Siphon Lake @ 1 mile from Russian Lake
    2. Pacific Crest Trail @ 0.5 mile from Siphon Lake
    3. Bingham Lake outlet @1.5 miles from PCT Intersection with Siphon Lake
  4. Upper Albers Lake @ 0.5 miles from Paynes LakePacific Crest Trail
    1. Statue Lake (3.3 miles from Statue Lake to Paynes Lake via PCT)
    2. Paynes Lake @ 8.5 miles from PCT junction
    3. Big Blue Lake day hike
  5. Smith Lake @ ? miles from Paynes Lake
    1. Meeks Meadow Lake
    2. Ruffey Lakes
  6. End at parking area on Etna Summit 

Russian Wilderness – PCT

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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

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  • 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