I had a permit for Yosemite this weekend but I decided not to go. The reason was because the river was still too high and there was still too much snow. I had one major creek crossing which I was sure I would not be able to do, but more than that there was still snow on the very steep slope going down to the creek and I was afraid that would be extremely dangerous. I decided to go elsewhere. After too much debate (ask my wife) I decided to go to Canyon Creek Lakes in the Trinity Alps Wilderness. I have been to the waterfalls on the main creek before of course, but I had not been to the ones above the lakes. This seemed like as good a time as any.
It is a long drive from Sacramento. I arrived at the trailhead at 8:30am and on the trail before 9. There were six cars already at the trailhead. It is a popular hike but I did not expect to see that many on a weekday. I passed five of the groups and the other was already up at the lower lake. It was a rather interesting hike overall. At least the end of it was.
I have hiked the trail up to the lower lake before. It was not brushy or overgrown whatsoever. I am certain of it. Now it is completely overgrown. It is impassable. What the heck? How could anyone hike this? This is a very popular hike! I tried to brash my way through it. Impossible. Utterly impossible. I gave up. I decided to try to go up by the creek. Perhaps that would be easier. Nope. Way overgrown beside the creek as well. Not do-able. I did not know what to do now. How was I possibly going to get up to the lake?
As I turned around to go back down I saw a couple of the guys I had passed and they were crossing the creek on logs down below me. Huh? I asked them is this where the trail goes? One of them responded, Yes I have the route on my AllTrails. Alrighty then! Normally I would not trust AllTrails with a ten foot pole but in this case it was correct. This was the trail. I should say this is the “new trail” because the “old trail” which I have hiked before is now impassable. I crossed the creek and followed them up to the lake. If it was not for these two guys, I honestly would not have found the trail at all. Maybe if there was no snow covering up the trail it would have been different (I am not sure).
Now I had to hike up to the upper lake. This was very difficult. Once again, I went the wrong way. I went the much harder route and ended up having to climb straight up the mountain. I made it up but what the heck is wrong with me? I found the proper route on the way back down. It was much easier.
At the upper lake I caught up to the day hiker that had passed me earlier. Now I was all alone. There was no one else up here. I crossed the outlet stream (which had quite a strong flow) and continued to the end of the upper lake (it was not easy). It was extremely brushy getting down to the lake. Once again I think I went the wrong way but the “proper route” looked far too dangerous to me on the wet slippery rocks. I continued up past the first waterfall, looking for a campsite.
There are three waterfalls up here and along the way I found a beautiful fourth bonus waterfall. I love bonus waterfalls! I found a terrific campsite at the top of the fourth waterfall. Four amazing waterfalls right here, all within view of my campsite (mostly) and all (fairly) easy to get to. I was going to have a fabulous evening.
The first of the four waterfalls I went to after dinner was Third Canyon Creek Lakes Falls (pictured here). This one was very fun to get to. Fun Fun Fun. There was a trail going right up to it. I was shocked to find this trail. I did not think anyone would ever come up here, it is so remote. The trail goes down to the creek at the bottom of the falls at which point you need to cross the creek in order to see it. I found a very slick and sloped rock to sit upon while I gingerly set up my tripod to take photos and try to not slip right into the deep creek. Third Canyon Creek Lakes Falls drops 82 ft. off a cliff down into a narrow alcove. It is absolutely stunning.
After this I continued on to the other three waterfalls and then went to bed. It was an amazing first day in the Trinity Alps Wilderness but the next day would be a very different story…
