newbie to site, newbie to trinity alps, hope appropriate to post here. planning a 3 night four day backpack trip in mid september.
current plan, based on online research / maps etc is in/out swift creek trailhead. probably first night at granite lake, then over the pass and into the four lakes trail and second night somewhere on that loop (diamond lake, summit lake?), then out via bear basin (camping third night somewhere there) and out to car day #4. that sound like a do-able itinerary for moderately experienced, moderately fit backpackers? any tips on where to stop / camp? any insight much appreciated. thanks

Neil -

The Four-Lake Loop is a great hike. You can find at least one trip report on here somewhere.

Here's how we did it:

Thursday night (after dark) we hiked about an hour in and found a campsite by the side of the trail.

Friday past Granite Lake to camp at Louella Lake. Not a bunch of sites here but enough for the five of us.

Saturday day-hiked around to Deer Lake and up to the summit of Siligo Peak then returned to Louella. Packed up and headed over to Bear Basin for the night. We could have easily day-hiked the whole Loop back to Louella and then made it over to Bear Basin.

Sunday from Bear Basin back to the trailhead. Pizza and beer in Weaverville, ice cream at the Nut Tree and home.

The hike is not high mileage or too strenuous and all at relatively low altitude.

This is one of my favorite hikes, we might do it again this September.

Edited by davidlutz on 07/08/2012 13:36:23 MDT.

thanks much, david, that's quite helpful and reassuring as well that we're not biting off more than we can chew (since we're planning three nights for what sounds like you guys did in two)

I was down in the area last week. We first headed up to Emerald and Sapphire Lake, then down and around the four lakes loop. It's an incredible area! I'll have to go back, probably late fall as it's probably way too hot mid summer to be hiking around there

http://www.portlandhikers.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=12338

This is an amazing area. If you're looking for spots to camp on the actual loop, I believe Summit Lake has the greatest number of campsites. Some of the areas around the other lakes can be pretty steep and small, I think Summit would present the easiest access to established sites, to avoid trampling around the fragile areas around the lakes. All of the lakes are gorgeous.

I agree with Chad, Summit lake is really the only place to camp out of the four lakes. We were there in pretty hot temps, and Summit has a few trees to offer shade. That being said, Diamond is the true gem up there!

tommy / chad: thanks much both for your insight
guessing mid-september is a good time for that area?

I was there around August 18 last year and the color contrast was very striking with, what I was told, was one of the best wildflower displays in years. (It looked very much like Tommy's above picture). I'm not sure if it will look the same in mid-Sept, but, on the other hand, the lower elevations will likely be more pleasant. At the trailhead it was definitely around 90 when I started, and some cooler temperatures would have been very welcome. I think you should be good-to-go.

Edited by kiddzoso on 07/15/2012 11:37:12 MDT.

A bunch of BPLrs will be out that way the 28th-30th of Sept. Full Moon weekend. We'll be camping in Bowerman Meadow. Join us if your trip gets delayed.

I can't wait! Finally, next week, I will be on a 5 night loop hike, leaving from the swift creek trailhead. I don't mean to hijack a thread, but I don't see too many people talking about the Trinity Alps, and I am just too darn excited to stay silent.

We will be taking our time...visiting bear basin, black basin, the deer creek drainage, the four lakes loop and granite lake, then back out to Swift Creek trailhead.

I have been looking forward to this trip for a couple of years now, since the plan fell through last year.

I will try and put a trip report together when I return.


Bryian

hey bryian,
that sounds awesome, and we're equally excited (going out sept 19th)
we're also going in via swift creek, first night granite lake, second night summit lake, third night bear basin and then out swift creek again.
any tips or advice you have after your trip would be much appreciated.
have an amazing time!
neil

Greetings Neil,

We just made it back from our trip a few days ago, it was completely breathtaking.

Our first night we spent in bear basin, near the start of the main ascent to the pass between bear and black basin. We spent the next 3 nights along deer creek, exploring the deer Creek drainage one day, and day hiked the four lakes loop the next. We hiked the 4 lakes loop clockwise, in doing so, we were able to knock out the biggest climb of the loop right away, and also keep the great views of Stuart fork in front of us. Of all the 4 lakes, I will just regurgitate what others have said before, Summit Lake has the best campsites around. If you want the view, and don't mind a lot of wind, there is 1 camp site waiting for you at Diamond Lake.

We finished our trip by hiking the pass between deer Creek drainage and Granite lake, spending our fifth night lakeside.

I will try and post a full trip report when I have time, but if you have any specific questions between now and when you leave for your trip feel free to PM me.

Have a great trip!

Bryian

Bryian
report much appreciated!
we're out next wednesday, doing some prep/planning/shopping this weekend...if i have any specific questions i'll PM you
muchas gracias
Neil