The Trinity Mountains

of Northern California
Lakes, Trails and Swimming Holes, by:

By John Powell for:

Pinegri-la

Read This Please: This guide is currently free for you to use to
enjoy one of the most magnificent and diverse wilderness areas in California.

It is created from 30+ years of exploration by
Beth and myself, our friends, family and many guests.

Supplying text and photos has been a "challenge"
because we are the only residents of the Trinity divide.
We live on the summit, Whalan Station,
on a gorgeous 40 acre estate
but our only guides have been locals from 10 - 30 miles away.
So ... we did the leg work and often with misdirection.

Here is my point: We have taken many wrong turns,
been lost even with several GPSs; never arrived at destinations;
found new roads, trails and swimming holes; found that people steal signs,
road markers, and don't travel with maps (which are inadequate anyway).
We can't paint rocks, put ribbons on trees, say left or right,
or rely on our perception of time and distance.

We have also found that most people ... don't follow directions.

This booklet is designed to help you reduce the likelihood of repeating our mistakes.
It is free, but with no guarantees.
Chances are, if your eyeballs are focused on this text you'll enjoy our effort.
Enjoy your adventure, because that's what it is !

 

Print this map for your use.

Use the following map to study the area on your computer.

#1 Thrll Hill

                   This is a 3 mile loop hike in from our front gate.
You should see Mt. Shasta and Castle Crags (showing) to the North, Lassen 90 degrees to the East. Grey Rocks to the south and Bolder Peak (hike 4) to the West.

1. From the front gate, go West (right) .3 miles on FR 25.

2. Go East (left) and then take the first road to the south (right).

3. Follow the road past the small mud slide and gravel pit on the left.

4. Walk .6 mile and take the first road to the East (left).
    

   Here are your instructions so far.
   --->
   1&2 From our gate, go west .3 miles. Go left and take an immediate right. See auto above.	3. Follow the road past the small      mud slide on the left.
   --->
   Continue through the gravel pit area on left.	. Continue.
   --->
   Find the meadow on your right.	4. Then, take the trail on the left.        (.9 mi. from our gate.)

5. Follow the trail to the saddle and then to the left.

6. Continue to the top and enjoy the view. 
    

7. Continue down hill and take your first road to the West (left).

8. Either follow the road to FR 25, or take the first road to the North (right)
   and exit on to FR25 just East of our gate.

9. Go West (left) approximately .2 mile to our gate.

 

#2  A Local Hike, Pondgri-la

This is a 2 mile hike in from our front gate. You can drive much of the way if you wish.
It's secluded with a big rock in the middle and no fish.

1.  From the front gate, go West (right) .3 miles on FR 25.

2. Go East (left) and then take the first road to the south (right).

3. Follow the road past the small mud slide and gravel pit on the left.

4. Walk .6 mile and note the first road to the East (left).

5. Continue walking on the main road .25 mile and take the road to the left.

6. Stay on the road 1 mile to the end.

7. Go West for aprox. 5 minutes and find the drainage from Pondgri-La.

8. Follow the drainage South (toward Grey Rocks) to the pond.

2 B Climb Grey Rocks
The Grey Rocks range is spectacular.
It is approximately 400 million years old
and attract the attention of most geologist that visit.
There are no specific directions to the top other than
what you would do naturally from Pondgri-La ... climb.
It is a 4-6 hour adventure with a wash off in Pondgri-La.

 

#3 – Secluded Swimming, Swim Holes A and B
                 This venture is a 2 or 25 minute drive West of our front gate.
It’s a good spot for those wanting secluded swimming.

    A) The Local Hole
Zero your odometer at our front gate. Don’t forget.
Go West (away from Castella) on FR 25.

1. At 1.2 miles you will pass FR 26 to the North (right).
Don’t turn, stay on FR 25.

2. At 1.8 miles you will pass a road to the South. 
It goes to Twin and Tamarack Lakes.
Don’t turn, stay on FR 25.

 Within ~ .5 mi look on the left for a tree struck by lightening.
Bingo!  This is a “wide” spot in the narrow road.
3. Park and go downhill to the creek

 

 #4. - #5 The 7 Lakes Basin Lookout and Access
This is a spectacular view!  A friend quit hunting when he visited here.
You can almost see the ocean past the Trinity Alps, Marble and
Salmon Mountains, Redwoods and the Russian Wilderness.
Shasta and Lassen are also in view.

1. Zero your odometer at our front gate. Don’t forget.

2. Go West (right) apx. 1 mile and turn North (right on 26).

3. At an apx. total of 4 miles, when 26 turns to the left,  go to the right.

4. At apx. total of 5 miles from our gate, you will find a 4 road intersection.

5. Park and find the jeep trail to the NE. It's about 1 mile to the top. When you are close to the top you will have to take the trail to the left going up hill, not straight.

#5. Access 7 Lakes Basin
This is an easy way to access the basin.

1. From #4. The 7 Lakes Basin Lookout, drive North on the main road another 1.7 miles watching carefully for the turn off to the East (right). You might see the remains of an old gate.

2. Turn East (right) and stay on this road for .6 mile where you can park.

3. Walk another .4 mile to the saddle and continue into the basin.

#6 Mumbo Lake, The PCT, and Gumboot Lake
Two lakes you can drive into.
Hike the PCT into Seven Lakes Basin.
All very picturesque.

1. Zero your odometer at our front gate. Don’t forget.

2. Go west apx. 1 mile and turn right on 26.

3. At an apx. total of 4 miles, follow 26 turns to the left.

4. At about 7.5 miles from our gate, find the road on the right into Mumbo Lake.

5. Shortly after the turn off is parking for the PCT trail head on the left. The trailhead is on the South side of the road. Hike South for about 45 minutes (2.25 mi.) and find the trail into the basin.
   The view is incredible. Note that you could have parked a vehicle at #5.

6. After the PCT is the turn off for Gumboot on the right (3.8 mi.), and continue to Lake Siskiyou and Mt. Shasta.

 

#7 - Twin Lakes and Tamarack Lake
Upper Twin is a good fishing lake when the fish cooperate.
There are some good size Rainbows and plenty of brookies.
You can take this trail to Tamarack

1. Zero your odometer at our front gate. Don’t forget.

2. Go west apx. 1.75 miles and take the road to the South (left)

3. Pay attention: You will cross the first of three bridges .1 miles after you turn on to this road.

4. The second bridge is about 3.4 miles from our gate.

5. After the bridge stay on this road. Don’t take the inviting turn offs to the right (it goes to #9 Highland Lake).

6. Soon the road turns sharply to the East (left) and you will find the third bridge.
   It is about 4.5 miles from our gate.
   You can park just past the 3rd bridge and hike into Tamarack (it is too rough for most vehicles).
   Video of Tamarack Lake.

Twin Lakes

1. Several yards before the bridge is Twin Lakes Road on to the South (right).
   Enter and park immediately (it is too rough for most vehicles).
   Upper Twin is about 1.5 miles to the South.

2. Follow the road for 1 mile and you will find a camping spot.
   A large meadow is to your East (left) and the trail ends. 

3. The trail picks up if you continue walking straight ahead 100’ or so.

4. Follow the trail to Upper Twin Lake.

Option: Continue to Tamarack.
Video of Tamarack Lake.
This is not an easy to find trail.

1. Find the faint trail to the East of the Lake, or go due East on blind faith.
   Tamarack is less than .5 mile away.

2. Find the trail on the North side of the lake.
   Be sure to mark your trail if you want to return to Twin Lakes.

3. You can follow the “road” to the third bridge in a 2.5 mile hike for a total of 3.75 miles.

 

#9 Highland Lake

This is a difficult to find Lake, making it very secluded.
Good fishing and a reasonable shoreline.

1. Zero your odometer at our front gate. Don’t forget.

2. Go west apx. 1.75 miles and take the road to the South (left)

3. The second bridge is about 3.4 miles from our gate.

4. After the bridge, take the first right.

5. At apx. 5 miles from our gate (1.7 miles from the turn off) you will find a bridge.

6. Continue another .3 miles and note the turn off to the West (right). Don’t take it.

7. Continue .9 mile and park at the gate.

8. Hike apx. .5 mile to the South

9. Then head West about .2 miles and find the Lake. Good Luck!

 

#10 and #11 Pond Lilly and Grouse Lakes

 Beautiful but ...this is a real adventure!
You can try with this map but many new roads have been added.
 It is 1 hour from here if you go right to it.

 

#14 A The Ruby Pearl Gold Mine

This was a productive gold mine where you can still find remnants and shards.

1. Zero your odometer at our front gate. Don’t forget

2. Go East (left) .5 mi. and turn North  (a hard left).

3. Travel another 1.4 miles, take the short turn off to the East (right).

4. Park and find Castle Creek to the East.

5. Follow the drainage apx. .25 miles to the remains of the Ruby Pearl.

#14 B Echo Lake Trail

This trail takes you through the 7 Lakes Basin drainage.

1. Zero your odometer at our front gate. Don’t forget

2. Go East (left) .5 mi. and turn North  (a hard left).

3. Travel another 1.4 miles and note the turn off to the Ruby Pearl mine to the East (right).
   Don’t take it.

4. Go another .2 mi. and note the sharp and steep turn to the West (left).
   Don’t take it. Park.

5. Walk .15 mi and find Echo Lake Trail to the East (right).

6. Follow the trail up the drainage to 7 Lakes Basin.

           
             Echo Lake is privately owned.

 
Local Map of Echo Lake Trail and the Ruby Pearl Gold Mine

Mt. Shasta – The Back Way
This is a National Forest scenic highway.
You will end up at Lake Siskiyou, the only lake in California built for recreation.
You might be interested in the Fish Hatchery in town.

1. Zero your odometer at our front gate. Don’t forget.

2. Go west apx. 1 mile and turn right on 26.

3. At an apx. total of 4 miles, follow 26 as it turns to the left.

4. At about 7.5 miles from our gate, find the road on the right into Mumbo Lake.

5. Shortly after the turn off is parking for the PCT trail head on the left.

6. After that is the turn off for Gumboot on the right.

7. Keep on going on this great road until you reach Mt. Shasta.