Redding: Caribou Lake
With views at every turn, this 22.8-mile, 3-day Trinity Alps route visits soaring spires of bleached granite and a basin full of shimmering lakes.
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Trail Facts
- Distance: 18.4
Waypoints
CLK001
Location: 41.0677223205566, -122.934761047363
Hike S from Big Flat trailhead (5,011 ft.) into shady fir groves
CLK002
Location: 41.0649032592773, -122.934585571289
Cross S Fork Salmon River on log bridge, then go L @ Y onto signed Caribou Lakes Trail
CLK003
Location: 41.06396484375, -122.935623168945
R @ Y for 300-ft. ascent of zipper-tight switch backs
CLK004
Location: 41.0643844604492, -122.940147399902
Begin long, gradual traverse through thinning lodgepole pine forest
CLK005
Location: 41.0500373840332, -122.952377319336
Straight @ 4-way in Caribou Meadows
CLK006
Location: 41.050838470459, -122.972534179688
Browns Meadow, dotted with boulders and wildflowers. Find trailside camp above alder-lined stream (good water)
CLK007
Location: 41.0432815551758, -122.979202270508
First glance over a trio of tarns in Caribou Lakes Basin
CLK008
Location: 41.0331382751465, -122.970642089844
R @ Y; twin-tipped crest of Caribou Mtn. soars to the E
CLK009
Location: 41.0303077697754, -122.971382141113
Snowslide Lake. Multi-tent site is ideal basecamp for dayhikes. To continue, follow W shore over small outlet stream
CLK010
Location: 41.0271644592285, -122.973197937012
Go L @ Y past ponds
CLK011
Location: 41.0226631164551, -122.975883483887
Caribou Lake (6,850 ft.) sits in a deep cirque with a sheer headwall to reflect alpenglow at twilight. Dayhike: Climb S to saddle on Sawtooth Ridge for monster vistas. Hardy scramblers can tag neighboring summits
CLK012
Location: 41.0144500732422, -122.981216430664
Peak 7,905: See horizon-hogging Sawtooth Ridge and Caesar Peak, and a chorus line of nearby granite spires. Retrace route to car