• 4 miles to Big Duck Lake, 0.5 miles further to Little Duck Lake
• 2+ Day Trip

Details:

• Best season = June to October
• Moderately strenuous hike
• Great views to Mount Shasta, Salmon Mountains and Scott Valley
• Duck Lake Special Interest Area/Botanical Area
  • Known as the Miracle Mile, 17 conifer species are present in the drainage
  • Relic species: Foxtail pine, Englemann spruce, subalpine and Pacific silver fir
• Approximately 4 hour drive from Eureka, CA on Highway 299 to 3 near Callahan:
  • From Highway 3 between Callahan and Etna, CA
  • Turn west on French Creek Road for 6.7 miles
  • Right on 40N22 for 1 mile
  • Right on 41N14 for 1.3 miles to parking area
• Hiking to Duck Lakes from Duck Lake Trailhead @ 4800 feet elevation:
  • 4 mile moderate hike from Duck Lake Trailhead to Big Duck Lake
    • Big Duck Lake = 26 acres @ 27 feet deep @ 6400 feet elevation
    • Eastern brook trout and rainbow trout
    • Largest lake in the Russian Wilderness
    •  0.5 mile difficult hike with 700 foot elevation gain to Little Duck LakeLittle Duck Lake = 5 acres @ 18 feet deep @ 6700 feet elevation
      • Eastern brook trout
• Hiking to Horseshoe Lake:
  • 4 mile moderate hike from Duck Lake Trailhead to Horseshoe Lake
  • 1.5  mile moderate hike from Duck/Eaton Lakes Trail intersection
    • Horseshoe Lake = 6.1 acres @ 21 feet deep @ 6400 feet elevation
    • Eastern brook trout and rainbow trout
• Hiking to Lipstick Lake:
  • 4 mile difficult hike from Duck Lake Trailhead to Horseshoe Lake
  • 3 mile moderate hike from Music Creek Trailhead to Horseshoe Lake
    • Horseshoe Lake = 1.25 acres @ 9 feet deep @ 6350 feet elevation
    • Eastern brook trout
• Hiking to Eaton Lakes:
  • 4.5 mile difficult hike from Duck Lake Trailhead to Eaton Lake
  • Approximately 1 mile difficult hike from Duck/Eaton Lakes Trail intersection
    • Eaton Lake = 11 acres @ 27 feet deep @ 6600 feet elevation
    • Trail is steep and hard to follow, not recommended for stock
    • Private property
    • Rainbow trout

Links:

• Jan’s Jaunts
• Duck Lakes YouTube Video
• Eaton Lake YouTube video
• Backpacking in Jefferson – Duck/Eaton Lakes article

• Driving Directions – About 4 hours from Eureka, CA via Highway 299 to 3

• Alternative Scenic Route: Salmon River Road