N Cal/S Oregon Memorial Day 2002

“Hey Campers,

Well, it's that time again. Memorial Day approaches and the third annual N Cal/S Ore get together is just around the corner.

This year it is a return to the Trinity Alps. The plan is to hike the N. Fork Trinity River to Grizzly Creek then on up to the Lake.

Date: May 23 - 27

Day 1 Hobo Gulch Trailhead to confluence of N. Fork and Grizzly Ck.
Day 2 Grizzly Meadows or Grizzly Lake
Day 3 Down day, summit Thompson Peak, if in the Meadow move to the lake?
Day 4 Over the ridge to Mirror lake (off trail) then on to Portuguese Camp or Morris Meadow
Day 5 All the way out to Stuart Fork TH and shuttle back to Hobo Gulch

Depending on what book you read it's about a 19 mile hike to the lake. Snow shouldn't be a problem until we get close to the lake. It's another few miles over to Stuart Fork and out. I suppose about another 15 or so.

For the off-trail section crampons are highly suggested. If walking off trail through snow and steep terrian bothers you, this is not your kind of trip.

If you're interested, you can post here or send me an e-mail. c.devoe@verizon.net.”

“WOW!! China thats a fantastic trip. Your talking the finest views in the world. I did Stewart fork to Emerald and Sapphire last fall. Be sure to look for the Quaking Aspens in Morris Meadow. You guys east of Calif. will not find that exciting but we do not have many Aspens in Cal. That time of year there will be 6 waterfalls dropping off the granite into Sapphire lake and 3 into Emerald.

Maybe, after my finals, I can climb over from China Gulch and meet you guys at Grizzly. We'll see”

“Post a trip report”

“Sorry Biz, we were counting on you to post the report. :)”

“ChinaChas
Are you going to stop at Kalmia when you traverse from Grizzly to Mirror? If Trinity Trekker is going with you I'll bet you do.”

“For anyone who wants to go without the high country portion, Grizzly Meadow/Lake from Hobo Gulch is an excellent 4-5 day round trip.”

“i only have 3 days off”

“Hey Chas - We'll miss ya, on the Srein Valley trip up here. Maybe I'll take that week off instead, next year, for the 4th annual, down there....”

“Yeah, that's too far. And alps makes the trip sound awesome.

Wish I could go.”

“This will definitly be a trip to some of the best the Trinity Alps has to offer.

Alps, it would be great to see ya at the Meadows. We'll be there on Day 2. Day 3 might find us at the Lake depending on what we decide to do. That or on our way up Thompson Peak.”

“You can reach Grizzly Meadow in one day, albeit strenuous, from China Springs Trailhead. Be prepared though, the trail is steep but it's only about 6-7 miles to the meadow.”

“Just found out my Mem Day weekend plans have blown up... is this trip still on? Would you mind a couple late-joiners....Wanderer Jr. & me? Post here or email, lanejd@pacbell.net. Thanks!”

“No Problemo, we're heading in on Thursday morning and exiting on Monday. Some members of the trip are doing the out and back to Grizly Lk while others are doing the through hike to Stuart Fk. The through hike will require use of crampons as we'll be hitting the highest terrain the Trinity Alps has to offer. Day 3 we anticipate the possibility of summiting Thompson Pk (highest in the Alps, 9002'). The out and back trip will consist of two full days to get to Griz Mdw or Griz Lk, the 3rd day will consist of moving up to Griz Lk if we're not there already and climbing Thompson or lazin' around, then 2 days to get out. Both options are about 40 miles. If you want some more details email me at summit@gene.com and I'll give you my phone # and we'll talk about the trip. I won't, however, be able to respond to the email until Sunday afternoon as I'm currently out of town visiting mom for her birthday before I head to the Sonoma Coast later today for some camping and hiking.”

“I don't have enough time off to make this one.. sounds great though. Have fun, post a trip report when you can, I'd like to get up there later in the year when I have more time.”

“Okay campers, trip day is right around the corner. If you're interested there's still time to get in on one heck of a trip.

We've got folks coming down from as far North as Portland and up from Sacramento.

Plans call to meet at the Hobo Gulch trailhead no later then 10 AM. Three of us will be heading over the ridge and out to the Stuart Fork trailhead. Two will be coming back out at Hobo Gulch.”

“Can I go?”

“Think you can find the trail this year?”

“Only if you bring that guy that carried the 12 pack last time.”

“Did you find some Sil-net? Sounds like we really might need it. I got mine done and I'm ready for testing.”

“Old Timer, yes the sil net tube is now empty and I'm all packed with the exception of a few perishables.

TT, sounds like none of us will be able to find the trail for a portion of the trip after yesterdays storms, I wonder if we'll have new deadfall to deal with.

CC, I hope that's why WW is bringing the dog, somehow the beer must make it up the trail.

As far as the Wed/Thur rendezvous, we might need to revisit it. It sounds like we'll end up with 3 vehicles at Hobo and 1 at Bridge. Ideally it would be 2 and 2 and I think the only way that will happen is if we were to all meet at Bridge Camp...thoughts anyone?”

“New deadfalls??? Do you really think that the FS has had THE one and only trail crew ( 3 men and 2 asses) out already. We've already had 3 wild fires and they don't have fire crews yet. No timber, no money nothing gets done.
All meeting at Bridge is sounding better.”

“According to their website, the trail is cleared to Jorstad Cabin and the road is freshly graded.

Trail Conditions

How much snow did they get?”