- 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
- 4 mile moderate hike from Duck Lake Trailhead to Big Duck Lake
- 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