#trinitynationalforest — Public Fediverse posts

[3/3] The final day of our 3 day loop offered up a minor challenge to our return followed by a major challenge. Once surmounted, we were back to amazing high mountain walking on the side of Ray's Peak and further ridge walking back to the Hull Cabin site where we started.

For more details, click here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2026/05/cabins-high-ridges-to-hull-cabin-site.html

#California #TrinityCounty #SiskiyouCounty #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #TrinityNationalForest #KlamathNationalForest #TrinityAlpsWilderness
#hiking #backpacking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #mountains #wildflowers
#footpathFriday

[3/3] The final day of our 3 day loop offered up a minor challenge to our return followed by a major challenge. Once surmounted, we were back to amazing high mountain walking on the side of Ray's Peak and further ridge walking back to the Hull Cabin site where we started.

For more details, click here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2026/05/cabins-high-ridges-to-hull-cabin-site.html

#California #TrinityCounty #SiskiyouCounty #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #TrinityNationalForest #KlamathNationalForest #TrinityAlpsWilderness
#hiking #backpacking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #mountains #wildflowers
#footpathFriday

[2/3] Day 2 of the 3 day loop was a long way down to cross the North Fork Trinity River, which one really shouldn't rely on doing in this season, especially with a heat wave on, but was easy this particular season. The first cabin of the day was before the crossing, the second along Grizzly Creek, and the third, well, what can you expect?

For more details, check here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2026/05/cabins-morrison-jorstad-and-moliter.html

#California #TrinityCounty #TrinityNationalForest #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #TrinityAlpsWilderness
#hiking #backpacking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #mountains #river #cabins

[2/3] Day 2 of the 3 day loop was a long way down to cross the North Fork Trinity River, which one really shouldn't rely on doing in this season, especially with a heat wave on, but was easy this particular season. The first cabin of the day was before the crossing, the second along Grizzly Creek, and the third, well, what can you expect?

For more details, check here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2026/05/cabins-morrison-jorstad-and-moliter.html

#California #TrinityCounty #TrinityNationalForest #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #TrinityAlpsWilderness
#hiking #backpacking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #mountains #river #cabins

[1/3] Once more into the Trinity Alps Wilderness, this time to wander among many cabins. The 1st day of the 3 day loop started with flowers on the way to long sections of ridge walking. It featured many birds and burned areas to complete the day where a fire lookout once stood at the top of Cabin Peak. Except the day wasn't quite done because we did still need to get back to camp.

For more details, check here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2026/05/cabins-limestone-ridge-and-cabin-peak.html

#California #SiskiyouCounty #TrinityCounty #KlamathNationalForest #TrinityNationalForest #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #TrinityAlpsWilderness
#hiking #backpacking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #mountains #peakbagging #firelookout #peakbagger

[1/3] Once more into the Trinity Alps Wilderness, this time to wander among many cabins. The 1st day of the 3 day loop started with flowers on the way to long sections of ridge walking. It featured many birds and burned areas to complete the day where a fire lookout once stood at the top of Cabin Peak. Except the day wasn't quite done because we did still need to get back to camp.

For more details, check here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2026/05/cabins-limestone-ridge-and-cabin-peak.html

#California #SiskiyouCounty #TrinityCounty #KlamathNationalForest #TrinityNationalForest #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #TrinityAlpsWilderness
#hiking #backpacking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #mountains #peakbagging #firelookout #peakbagger

In the West Salmon Mountains of Trinity Alps Wilderness, day 2 followed better trail, as we headed up to Horse Ridge Trail along Horse Trail Ridge, tagging Trinity Summit (Guard Station) and North Trinity Mountain along the way. It hardly ever lost us!

More details here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2026/04/trinity-trinity-summit-and-horse-trail.html

#California #HumboldtCounty #TrinityCounty #SixRiversNationalForest #TrinityNationalForest #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #TrinityAlpsWilderness #SalmonMountains
#hiking #backpacking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #mountains #peakbagging #peakbagger

In the West Salmon Mountains of Trinity Alps Wilderness, day 2 followed better trail, as we headed up to Horse Ridge Trail along Horse Trail Ridge, tagging Trinity Summit (Guard Station) and North Trinity Mountain along the way. It hardly ever lost us!

More details here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2026/04/trinity-trinity-summit-and-horse-trail.html

#California #HumboldtCounty #TrinityCounty #SixRiversNationalForest #TrinityNationalForest #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #TrinityAlpsWilderness #SalmonMountains
#hiking #backpacking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #mountains #peakbagging #peakbagger

[3/3] Day 3 backpacking Yolla Bolly: Finishing the circuit with two more named peaks to tag on the way. First Blue Slide by the side of the trail just before everything got dicey. Second Horsehead Mountain where three forests and three major watersheds meet.

More info here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2026/03/shell-mountain-blue-slide-and-horsehead.html

#California #TrinityCounty #MendocinoNationalForest #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #TrinityNationalForest #SixRiversNationalForest #YollaBollyMiddleEelWilerness
#hiking #nature #landscape #outside #mountains #peakbagging #backpacking #hike #blogpost

[3/3] Day 3 backpacking Yolla Bolly: Finishing the circuit with two more named peaks to tag on the way. First Blue Slide by the side of the trail just before everything got dicey. Second Horsehead Mountain where three forests and three major watersheds meet.

More info here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2026/03/shell-mountain-blue-slide-and-horsehead.html

#California #TrinityCounty #MendocinoNationalForest #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #TrinityNationalForest #SixRiversNationalForest #YollaBollyMiddleEelWilerness
#hiking #nature #landscape #outside #mountains #peakbagging #backpacking #hike #blogpost

[2/3] Day 2 backpacking Yolla Bolly: Headed up to Buck Ridge and up the yolla bolly (snowy mountains, well, mountain) of Shell Mountain. They really should all be yolla bolly at the moment.

More is here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2026/03/shell-mountain-buck-ridge-and-shell.html

#California #TrinityCounty #MendocinoNationalForest #TrinityNationalForest #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #YollaBollyMiddleEelWilderness
#hiking #nature #landscape #mountains #peakbagging #backpacking

[2/3] Day 2 backpacking Yolla Bolly: Headed up to Buck Ridge and up the yolla bolly (snowy mountains, well, mountain) of Shell Mountain. They really should all be yolla bolly at the moment.

More is here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2026/03/shell-mountain-buck-ridge-and-shell.html

#California #TrinityCounty #MendocinoNationalForest #TrinityNationalForest #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #YollaBollyMiddleEelWilderness
#hiking #nature #landscape #mountains #peakbagging #backpacking

Day 4: All the way back.

https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2025/07/alpine-boulder-creek.html

#California #TrinityCounty #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #TrinityAlpsWilderness
#hiking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #backpacking #TrinityNationalForest #AlpineLake #StuartFork #TrinityRiver #waterfall

Day 4: All the way back.

https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2025/07/alpine-boulder-creek.html

#California #TrinityCounty #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #TrinityAlpsWilderness
#hiking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #backpacking #TrinityNationalForest #AlpineLake #StuartFork #TrinityRiver #waterfall

Day 3: The attempt to reach Smith and Morris Lakes. It was rather more strenuous than expected. I need to practice some boulder hopping.

https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2025/07/alpine-smith-and-morris-lakes.html

#California #TrinityCounty #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #TrinityAlpsWilderness
#hiking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #backpacking #lake #granite #TrinityNationalForest

Day 3: The attempt to reach Smith and Morris Lakes. It was rather more strenuous than expected. I need to practice some boulder hopping.

https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2025/07/alpine-smith-and-morris-lakes.html

#California #TrinityCounty #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #TrinityAlpsWilderness
#hiking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #backpacking #lake #granite #TrinityNationalForest

Day 2: The surprisingly hard hike to Alpine Lake and some excursion around it.
https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2025/07/alpine-alpine-lake.html

#California #TrinityCounty #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #TrinityAlpsWilderness #AlpineLake
#hiking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #backpacking #lake #TrinityNationalForest

Day 2: The surprisingly hard hike to Alpine Lake and some excursion around it.
https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2025/07/alpine-alpine-lake.html

#California #TrinityCounty #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #TrinityAlpsWilderness #AlpineLake
#hiking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #backpacking #lake #TrinityNationalForest

It's been 2 weeks since I got these posts done, so I should probably mention that there's a small but tough backpacking trip stopping by Alpine Lake most the time that's on the blog.

Day1: Short and easy up Stuart Fork to the ford.
https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2025/07/alpine-stuart-fork.html

#California #TrinityCounty #TrinityNationalForest #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #TrinityAlpsWilderness #StuartFork #TrinityRiver
#hiking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #backpacking #river

It's been 2 weeks since I got these posts done, so I should probably mention that there's a small but tough backpacking trip stopping by Alpine Lake most the time that's on the blog.

Day1: Short and easy up Stuart Fork to the ford.
https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2025/07/alpine-stuart-fork.html

#California #TrinityCounty #TrinityNationalForest #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #TrinityAlpsWilderness #StuartFork #TrinityRiver
#hiking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #backpacking #river

Next, the hike:
https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2025/05/black-rock-mountain-lookout.html
which visited the old Guard Station location and then climbed to the fire lookout location. Only one is still standing and none were entered.

#California #TrinityCounty #TehamaCounty #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #YollaBollyMiddleEelWilderness

#hiking #dayhike #ShastaTrinityNF #TrinityNF #YollaBolly #fireLookout #nature #wilderness #publicLands #TrinityNationalForest #landscape #hike #travel #outside #peakbagger #peakbagging

Next, the hike:
https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2025/05/black-rock-mountain-lookout.html
which visited the old Guard Station location and then climbed to the fire lookout location. Only one is still standing and none were entered.

#California #TrinityCounty #TehamaCounty #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #YollaBollyMiddleEelWilderness

#hiking #dayhike #ShastaTrinityNF #TrinityNF #YollaBolly #fireLookout #nature #wilderness #publicLands #TrinityNationalForest #landscape #hike #travel #outside #peakbagger #peakbagging

Hey, look! Actually got to the popular bit of the Trinity Alps Wilderness! Er, at a time when it's still really easy to get a parking space, even on the weekend.
The details: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2025/04/waterfalls-and-snow-in-canyon-creek.html

#hiking #dayhike #hikingCalifornia #CaliforniaHiking #California #TrinityNationalForest #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #TrinityAlpsWilderness #TrinityAlps #TrinityCounty #snow #waterfall #nature #landscape #travel #outside stuff like that

Hey, look! Actually got to the popular bit of the Trinity Alps Wilderness! Er, at a time when it's still really easy to get a parking space, even on the weekend.
The details: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2025/04/waterfalls-and-snow-in-canyon-creek.html

#hiking #dayhike #hikingCalifornia #CaliforniaHiking #California #TrinityNationalForest #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #TrinityAlpsWilderness #TrinityAlps #TrinityCounty #snow #waterfall #nature #landscape #travel #outside stuff like that

Although a little busy on a weekend day and a little bit on road, this was a surprisingly nice hike to a peak and old lookout site where the view really opened out.
Details all here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2024/10/monument-peak-and-eagle-rock-lookout.html
#California #TrinityCounty #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #MonumentPeak

#hiking #dayhike #ShastaTrinityNF #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #mountains #peakbagging #TrinityNationalForest #firelookout #ruins #peakbagger

Although a little busy on a weekend day and a little bit on road, this was a surprisingly nice hike to a peak and old lookout site where the view really opened out.
Details all here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2024/10/monument-peak-and-eagle-rock-lookout.html
#California #TrinityCounty #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #MonumentPeak

#hiking #dayhike #ShastaTrinityNF #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #mountains #peakbagging #TrinityNationalForest #firelookout #ruins #peakbagger

Here's the easy way to get up Hayfork Bally, if you don't want the 8.5 mile lesser maintained trail and Jeep road route:
https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2024/10/hayfork-bally-lookout-and-high-point.html
#California #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #TrinityCounty #HayforkBally

#hiking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #dayhike #mountains #peakbagging #peakbagger #peak #lookout #firelookout #TrinityNationalForest #Hayfork #PNW

Here's the easy way to get up Hayfork Bally, if you don't want the 8.5 mile lesser maintained trail and Jeep road route:
https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2024/10/hayfork-bally-lookout-and-high-point.html
#California #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #TrinityCounty #HayforkBally

#hiking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #dayhike #mountains #peakbagging #peakbagger #peak #lookout #firelookout #TrinityNationalForest #Hayfork #PNW

When I saw "Natural Bridge" on the map, I had to go see it. It's off Bridge Gulch Road in Bridge Gulch, so I'm not the only one obsessed. (Plaque words are in the alt.)

All the details are here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2024/10/massacre-natural-bridge.html

#hiking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #dayhike #California #TrinityCounty #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #TrinityNationalForest #PNW #naturalbridge #limestone

When I saw "Natural Bridge" on the map, I had to go see it. It's off Bridge Gulch Road in Bridge Gulch, so I'm not the only one obsessed. (Plaque words are in the alt.)

All the details are here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2024/10/massacre-natural-bridge.html

#hiking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #dayhike #California #TrinityCounty #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #TrinityNationalForest #PNW #naturalbridge #limestone

Back to the portion of the Bigfoot Trail that is along East Fork Tule Creek, this time the part that actually follows the creek.
Details are all here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2024/10/east-tule-creek.html
#California #TrinityCounty #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #EastTuleCreek

#hiking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #dayhike #creek #TrinityNationalForest #CaliforniaHiking

Back to the portion of the Bigfoot Trail that is along East Fork Tule Creek, this time the part that actually follows the creek.
Details are all here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2024/10/east-tule-creek.html
#California #TrinityCounty #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #EastTuleCreek

#hiking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #dayhike #creek #TrinityNationalForest #CaliforniaHiking

Spending a little more time down by the river side. That's the South Fork Trinity River side.

Details are here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2024/10/lower-south-fork-river-trail.html
#California #TrinityCounty #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #SouthForkTrinityRiver

#hiking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #dayhike #TrinityNationalForest #river #goodCampingPlace

Spending a little more time down by the river side. That's the South Fork Trinity River side.

Details are here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2024/10/lower-south-fork-river-trail.html
#California #TrinityCounty #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #SouthForkTrinityRiver

#hiking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #dayhike #TrinityNationalForest #river #goodCampingPlace

I decided it was time for a little peak bagging, complete with lookout. Oh, and a waterfall to check out and still on the Bigfoot Trail route.
Details are here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2024/09/philpot-waterfall-and-plummer-peak.html
#California #TrinityCounty #ShastaTrinityNationalForest

#hiking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #dayhike #TrinityNationalForest #peakbagger #peakbagging #peak #firelookout #waterfall

I decided it was time for a little peak bagging, complete with lookout. Oh, and a waterfall to check out and still on the Bigfoot Trail route.
Details are here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2024/09/philpot-waterfall-and-plummer-peak.html
#California #TrinityCounty #ShastaTrinityNationalForest

#hiking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #dayhike #TrinityNationalForest #peakbagger #peakbagging #peak #firelookout #waterfall

After the restful day 4, day 5 backpacking South Fork Trinity River Trail was extra long to finish. I ended up making it even longer by exploring an alternate route option above Murphy Place instead of below.
Details here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2024/09/south-fork-circling-murphy.html

#California #TrinityCounty #ShastaTrinityNationalForest
#hiking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #TrinityNationalForest #NationalRecreationTrail #forest #river #SouthForkTrinityRiver #BigfootTrail #backpack #backpacking

After the restful day 4, day 5 backpacking South Fork Trinity River Trail was extra long to finish. I ended up making it even longer by exploring an alternate route option above Murphy Place instead of below.
Details here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2024/09/south-fork-circling-murphy.html

#California #TrinityCounty #ShastaTrinityNationalForest
#hiking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #TrinityNationalForest #NationalRecreationTrail #forest #river #SouthForkTrinityRiver #BigfootTrail #backpack #backpacking

Day 4 backpacking the South Fork National Recreation Trail/South Fork Trinity River Trail was getting back. I took an easy day. Because. Got to poke around a bit more than on the way out and then rest for the evening.
Details are here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2024/09/south-fork-downhill-all-way.html

#California #TrinityCounty #ShastaTrinityNationalForest
#hiking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #TrinityNationalForest #forest #SouthFork #TrinityRiver #BigfootTrail

Day 4 backpacking the South Fork National Recreation Trail/South Fork Trinity River Trail was getting back. I took an easy day. Because. Got to poke around a bit more than on the way out and then rest for the evening.
Details are here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2024/09/south-fork-downhill-all-way.html

#California #TrinityCounty #ShastaTrinityNationalForest
#hiking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #TrinityNationalForest #forest #SouthFork #TrinityRiver #BigfootTrail

Day 2 backpacking South Fork was actually spent on Smoky Creek where the Bigfoot Trail climbs away from the river. I hiked up to the trailhead, getting in some views, before returning to the river.
Details: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2024/09/south-fork-smoky-creek.html

#California #TrinityCounty #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #BigfootTrail
#hiking #nature #landscape #hike #outside #BigfootTrail #TrinityNationalForest #NationalRecreationTrail #NRT #SouthForkNationalRecreationTrail #SouthForkTrinityRiverTrail #backpacking #forest #river #TrinityRiver #SouthFork #OptOutside

Day 2 backpacking South Fork was actually spent on Smoky Creek where the Bigfoot Trail climbs away from the river. I hiked up to the trailhead, getting in some views, before returning to the river.
Details: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2024/09/south-fork-smoky-creek.html

#California #TrinityCounty #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #BigfootTrail
#hiking #nature #landscape #hike #outside #BigfootTrail #TrinityNationalForest #NationalRecreationTrail #NRT #SouthForkNationalRecreationTrail #SouthForkTrinityRiverTrail #backpacking #forest #river #TrinityRiver #SouthFork #OptOutside

With my backpack packed for 5 days, I headed out to explore the bits and pieces of South Fork Trinity River accessible from the National Recreation Trail. I also wanted to hike the bits of the Bigfoot Trail in the area. First day was lots of miles generally high above that river with a few chunky creek crossings.
Details are here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2024/09/south-fork-up-river.html

#California #TrinityCounty #ShastaTrinityNationalForest

#hiking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #TrinityNationalForest #NationalRecreationTrail #NRT #SouthForkNationalRecreationTrail #SouthForkTrinityRiverTrail #backpacking #forest #river #TrinityRiver #SouthFork #getOutside #OptOutside

With my backpack packed for 5 days, I headed out to explore the bits and pieces of South Fork Trinity River accessible from the National Recreation Trail. I also wanted to hike the bits of the Bigfoot Trail in the area. First day was lots of miles generally high above that river with a few chunky creek crossings.
Details are here: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2024/09/south-fork-up-river.html

#California #TrinityCounty #ShastaTrinityNationalForest

#hiking #nature #landscape #travel #hike #outside #TrinityNationalForest #NationalRecreationTrail #NRT #SouthForkNationalRecreationTrail #SouthForkTrinityRiverTrail #backpacking #forest #river #TrinityRiver #SouthFork #getOutside #OptOutside

Mostly not trail work photos from cutting trees and brush along a couple trails in the Canyon Creek area with the Bigfoot Trail Alliance: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2023/05/canyon-creek-area-trail-work.html

#hiking #volunteering #trailwork #landscape #California #TrinityCounty #TrinityAlpsWilderness #TrinityNationalForest #ShastaTrinityNationalForest #nature #wildflowers