Start at Wooley Creek Trailhead, end at Portuguese Peak Trailhead, walk back to car
Starting and ending at Big Flat Trailhead
Add on a few days:
Follow Clear Creek National recreation Trail through the heart of Siskiyou Wilderness for 22 miles. Swim at isolated Wilderness Falls, fish, and explore the Siskiyou Wilderness in any direction. Consider starting at the top of the trail near Youngs Valley, and heading downstream going in a southwest descent toward the Klamath River.
Bear Lakes are a moderate 3.15 miles to Bear Lake from the Elbow Springs Trailhead in Siskiyou Wilderness. The primary lake lies at an elevation of 4,850 feet with a small pond above it, while the harder-to-reach Lower Bear Lake is a steep cross-country scramble drop to 4,300 feet. The Bear Lake Trail doesn’t appear to have a number or official name, but is located off the Kelsey Creek National Recreation Trail #4204 near Clear Creek on Highway 96 in Northern California.
Bear Lakes – Zach’s Adventures Article
Bear Lakes – Oregonnator Blog Post
Alpine & Smith Lakes – Trinity Alps Wilderness
Graph of Climb from Oak Flat to Alpine Lake – from Jan’s Jaunts Blog
Graph of Climb from Alpine Lake to Smith Lake- from Jan’s Jaunts Blog
