Redding, CA: Stuart Fork to Alpine Lake
This 17-mile out-and-back in the Trinity Alps features pristine mountain lakes, stunning views and an easy, off-trail scramble.
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-Mapped by Leon Nelson
Trail Facts
- Distance: 27.4
Waypoints
WPT001
Location: 40.87593, -122.920082
Hike northwest on the Stuart Fork Trail.
WPT002
Location: 40.881187, -122.924266
The trail winds through the valley, paralleling Stuart Fork. Ahead: Pass through Cherry Flat.
WPT003
Location: 40.884237, -122.930746
Bear left @ Y-junction and continue hiking on the Stuart Fork Trail.
WPT004
Location: 40.891002, -122.935231
Cross Lightning Creek (great place to filter water).
WPT005
Location: 40.904675, -122.945058
Cross Little Deep Creek and continue hiking northwest. A scenic canyon opens up to the right.
WPT006
Location: 40.910318, -122.948663
Cross the footbridge over Deep Creek.
WPT007
Location: 40.922998, -122.955465
Oak Flat Campground: Several campsites are available; great fishing and swimming, too.
WPT008
Location: 40.93172, -122.957568
Bear left @ Y-junction and cross Stuart Fork. Caution: During spring runoff, the creek may be too high to cross.
WPT009
Location: 40.933082, -122.958834
Trail curves to the left (south). Prepare for a steep uphill.
WPT010
Location: 40.927619, -122.961087
Begin a 1.9-mile climb, gaining 1,362 feet of elevation.
WPT011
Location: 40.931866, -122.968254
Bear right @ Y-junction with Bear Creek Trail. Although the trail at this point is not officially maintained by the Forest Service, it typically remains unobstructed.
WPT012
Location: 40.936389, -122.972224
Pass a campsite 50 feet to the left. To refill water bottles, filter water at Alpine Creek.
WPT013
Location: 40.937057, -122.973129
The final climb before Alpine Lake starts here. Prepare for a steep, 1.2-mile climb, gaining 1,084 feet of elevation. The trail climbs past manzanita, offering little to no shade.
WPT014
Location: 40.944753, -122.983403
Turn left (west) to reach Alpine Lake. During the springtime, coreopsis wildflowers fill the meadow directly ahead.
WPT015
Location: 40.944169, -122.98866
Alpine Lake (6,150 ft.): This deep-blue lake is surrounded by thousand-foot granite cliffs and fragrant pines. Forget the overused sites at the base of the lake and walk around the northern shoreline to a campsite at the lake’s far edge.
WPT016
Location: 40.942284, -122.993919
Lakeshore may become overgrown; look for rabbit trails to follow through the thick brush.
WPT017
Location: 40.941509, -122.99398
Continue across a meadow to the southwestern tip of Alpine Lake.
WPT018
Location: 40.941349, -122.993338
The best campsite at Alpine Lake, this large tent site sits 40 feet above the water and has wide, open views of the surrounding mountains.
To reach Smith Lake, retrace your route back to Waypoint 14. Turn left and head northeast off the marked trail. Bushwhack up the gully below the ridgeline on the right.