Difference between revisions of "Granite Lake-Horseshoe Lake Loop Hike"
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
Retiredjerry (Talk | contribs) |
Retiredjerry (Talk | contribs) |
||
Line 50: | Line 50: | ||
From here, it's all alpine granite. 1.8 miles up to Granite Creek Pass at 7500 feet elevation. Alpine meadows. Lots of granite boulders to negotiate on the trail. | From here, it's all alpine granite. 1.8 miles up to Granite Creek Pass at 7500 feet elevation. Alpine meadows. Lots of granite boulders to negotiate on the trail. | ||
− | There are rough trails going right and left, up the ridge either direction, but we want to go down the other side to Deer Creek. It's 1.6 miles down to the creek at 6500 feet elevation. | + | There are rough trails going right and left, up the ridge either direction, but we want to go down the other side to Deer Creek. It's 1.6 miles down to the creek at 6500 feet elevation, 8.6 miles from the trailhead. |
There's a trail going either direction, up and down Deer Creek, the Deer Creek Trail. There's also a trail going up the other side. | There's a trail going either direction, up and down Deer Creek, the Deer Creek Trail. There's also a trail going up the other side. | ||
Line 56: | Line 56: | ||
I went up Deer Creek 0.6 miles to Deer Lake at 7150 feet. I didn't see any good campsites here - the slopes were pretty steep. It was a pretty windy and cold October when I was here so I turned around, but it's about another 5 miles through alpine granite to Granite Peak. On the way back, circle around Summit Lake and Luella Lake and back down to Deer Creek where the Granite Creek Trail junction is. | I went up Deer Creek 0.6 miles to Deer Lake at 7150 feet. I didn't see any good campsites here - the slopes were pretty steep. It was a pretty windy and cold October when I was here so I turned around, but it's about another 5 miles through alpine granite to Granite Peak. On the way back, circle around Summit Lake and Luella Lake and back down to Deer Creek where the Granite Creek Trail junction is. | ||
− | Then I went 0.8 miles down Deer Creek to Deer Creek Camp at 5900 feet elevation. | + | Then I went 0.8 miles down Deer Creek to Deer Creek Camp at 5900 feet elevation, 9.4 miles from the trailhead. There are spots to camp between Deer Lake and here, but further down seemed better to be in a more protected location. |
Revision as of 03:39, 18 October 2013
- Start point: Swift Creek Trailhead
- End point: Swift Creek Trailhead
- Trail log: Trinity Alps Granite Lake Horseshoe Lake Hike/Log
- Distance: 39.5 miles
- Elevation gain: 2000 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Seasons: Year round, very hot in summer
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: Yes
- Crowded: Busy during the summer
Contents |
Hike Description
The Trinity Alps is one of the priemier hiking areas in the galaxy. Not as famous as the Sierras, but everyone should do a hike in this area at least once.
There are large areas of alpine granite. The trails here are a little more rugged than typical Columbia Gorge or Cascades trails. There are many spectacular peaks and ridges and little alpine lakes. It is a long drive from Portland though, but at least it's not as far away as the Sierras. The Trinities have a fairly narrow spine of alpine granite compared to the Sierras, which are really uncomparable. The Trinites are somewhat similar to the Wallowas.
This is quite a bit South of Portland so somewhat warmer. Sometimes, the weather systems firehose is pointed at Portland and Northern California has nice weather, but sometimes it's vice versa, and sometimes it's nice or bad both places simultaneously, so you just have to check the weather report. This is a nice area to have in your repertoire
The Granite Lake Horseshoe Lake loop is nice, but I don't know that this is the best of the Trinities. I don't have a lot of experience there. This definitely offered some very nice scenery and there are a couple of extensions you could do if this isn't enough miles. I really enjoyed this so unless you know better, this would be a good introduction.
The hike up to Granite Lake is through trees. Above there you get into alpine granite - up a ridge, down into Deer Creek Valley, and up to Deer Lake. You could go further. I went back down a ways to camp in a more sheltered location, then back up through the alpine Mumsford Basin on a not maintained trail and back down to Swift Creek to camp at a more sheltered location. Then I went up to Horseshoe Lake - more alpine granite before returning to the trailhead.
I think that horses go all over through here, at least I saw plenty of manure.
Detailed Description
Start at the Swift Creek trailhead at 4000 feet elevation.
After about 0.1 mile, the trail merges with a trail from the alternate trailhead - remember this on your way back, or you'll walk an extra 0.1 mile to get back to your car, plus it's very confusing.
In 0.4 mile there's a nice campsite near the river in case you get a late start and want to camp right away.
In 1.1 mile from the trailhead is the junction for the trail up to Granite Lake. There's a substantial bridge across Swift Creek.
It's another 4.1 miles up the Granite Creek Trail to Granite Lake at 6000 feet elevation (5.2 miles from the trailhead). There are several okay campsites along the way, good drinking water from granite Creek. All the way is through forest.
Right before Granite Lake is a large camp area, to the left of the trail. Drinking water from Granite Creek. You could probably have several groups camped here, or a large group with many people.
Then, adjacent to Granite Lake is another large camp area. Drnking water from the lake. Nice views of the lake, but then it could be windy with not a lot of protection.
From here, it's all alpine granite. 1.8 miles up to Granite Creek Pass at 7500 feet elevation. Alpine meadows. Lots of granite boulders to negotiate on the trail.
There are rough trails going right and left, up the ridge either direction, but we want to go down the other side to Deer Creek. It's 1.6 miles down to the creek at 6500 feet elevation, 8.6 miles from the trailhead.
There's a trail going either direction, up and down Deer Creek, the Deer Creek Trail. There's also a trail going up the other side.
I went up Deer Creek 0.6 miles to Deer Lake at 7150 feet. I didn't see any good campsites here - the slopes were pretty steep. It was a pretty windy and cold October when I was here so I turned around, but it's about another 5 miles through alpine granite to Granite Peak. On the way back, circle around Summit Lake and Luella Lake and back down to Deer Creek where the Granite Creek Trail junction is.
Then I went 0.8 miles down Deer Creek to Deer Creek Camp at 5900 feet elevation, 9.4 miles from the trailhead. There are spots to camp between Deer Lake and here, but further down seemed better to be in a more protected location.
Maps
Fees, Regulations, etc.
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Granite Lake-Horseshoe Lake Loop Hike
(Click here to add your own)
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Granite Lake-Horseshoe Lake Loop Hike
(Click here to ask a question or start a conversation)
Guidebooks that cover this hike
More Links
Contributors
- retiredjerry (creator)