Popular Trinity Trails
Beckoning You to the Next Turn
The Granite Creek and Stuart Fork trails are two of the more popular trails into the Trinity Alps, offering scenic panoramas and within easy walking distance of the trailheads.
The South Fork Trinity River National Recreation Trail follows the South Fork of the Trinity River for 21 miles, from Scott Flat Campground near Forest Glen to Wildwood Road, and for four miles from a trailhead near Hyampom to Forest Glen.
The Pacific Crest Trail goes through some of the most remote and beautiful parts of the Trinity Alps Wilderness. With enough time, you can visit and fish at many lakes along the way or on a short side trip.
These are some of the most popular hiking and packing trails: Information about more trails can be found in a USDA Forest Service pamphlet ‘Trail and Lake Information‘ for the Trinity Alps Wilderness:
Weaver Basin Trail System
At the center of mountain biking is the Weaver Basin Trail System. These community managed trails, which are open for hiking, biking and horseback riding, follow the gold mining ditch lines as they traverse the mountain sides surrounding Weaverville, making for multiple easy access points from town. You won’t find a terrain park here, but there is plenty of technical single track to keep you focused and in the zone.
Stuarts Fork Trail
The Stuart Fork hike starts by driving though the Trinity Alps Resort 
to Bridge Camp. The road is dirt after leaving the resort, but easily passable. This trail does not vary much in elevation. Good fishing is found along the creek on this trip. The trail is well marked and an easy trip to take in a day. The hiker is treated to views of high mountain ridges and rushing mountain waters.
Granite Peak Trail
This trip starts with a drive up the Granite Peak Road, off of Highway 3, just before the Mule Creek guard station. At the end of the road the trail starts and climbs quickly. This is an extremely steep hike and only those in good physical condition should attempt this climb. At the end of the trail you will find yourself on the top of a mountain with magnificent views. It is 4.6 miles from the trailhead to the top of Granite Peak.
Bowerman/Long Canyon Trail
This trail divides with Long Canyon to the north and Bowerman to the south. Both contain high country meadows surrounded by towers of bare rock. Long Canyon is for the strong hiker, but Bowerman offers more gentle grades.
Swift Creek Trail
The trail is reached by taking Swift Creek Road out of Trinity Center. From here a good trail with easy grades heads into the primitive area. One passes through timber and meadows, sees the Swift Creek Gorge and is surrounded by towering mountains. You can take the Granite Creek trail turnoff (just a mile in on Swift Creek) which leads to a wonderful day hike experience to Granite Lake. The distance from the trailhead to Granite Lake is 5 miles.
Eleanor/Shimmey Lake Trails
The trail starts by traveling to the end of the Lake Eleanor Road off of Swift Creek Road. Here one begins the trip and within one mile reaches Lake Eleanor. Past this picturesque mountain lake you continue until you finally reach Shimmey Lake, and observe towering Ycatapom Peak. The trip is relatively easy and will be enjoyed by the less experienced hiker. Shimmey Lake is just 3.6 miles from the trailhead.
Big/Little Boulder Lake Trails
The majority of the travel to the Boulders is spent on Carr Road, just past Trinity Center. It is only a mile or so from the end of Carr Road into the lakes. The two lakes sit a mile apart from each other surrounded by forest and granite. Little Boulder is a deeper, rockier lake than the lilypad covered Big Boulder.
Stoddard/McDonald Lake Trails
The trail to these double lakes makes for an excellent day in the woods. You get to the trailhead by taking a gravel road off of Highway 3, just 3 miles past Coffee Creek Ranger Station. The hike itself is only 3 miles through meadows and thick forest. This trail is enjoyed by all, as it provides a comfortable walk and exquisite scenery.
