Fri, Jul 31 · 12:30 PM PDT
This is a 2 night backpacking trip. The first night is car camping near the China Gulch trailhead. The second night is at Grizzly Lake.
This backpacking trip is designed to be hiked at a leisurely pace taking full advantage of daylight hours. Hike with an endurance mindset that preserves your energy. Plan on eating and drinking water regularly along the way. Many short stops along the way can be included.
1. Bring plenty of water for the first night. Otherwise, while hiking, carry two liters of water, and a water filtration system. There are creeks, and glacier fed Grizzly Lake along the way to refill water bottles.
2. Bring your California Campfire Permit. https://www.readyforwildfire.org/permits/
3. Be sure that your backpack doesn't unnecessarily shift your balance causing a fall. Hiking poles are essential.
4. Plan on bringing snacks and at least 6 meals (2 dinners, 2 breakfasts & 2 lunches).
The meetup time is 12:30pm on Friday, July 31st. The meetup location will be determined once carpooling arrangements become more clear.
The drive to the China Gulch Trailhead is about 3 hours. Extra time can be arranged for stops along the way possibly in Fort Jones or Etna.
Once on Callahan-Cecilville Road, near Callahan, we enter remote wilderness. The road is two lanes, winding, narrow and paved, After 28 miles, we make a left for the China Gulch Trailhead (a few miles before Cecilville).
Where the pavement ends, there are 6 miles to go which takes 30 minutes by car. The trailhead parking looks small at first. Keep on the gravel, dirt road for another 0.1 mile to a much larger parking area. Although not officially designated as a camping area, backpackers camp here. There is no water and no outhouses.
On Saturday morning, we'll plan on an 8:30am start approximately. The walking distance to Grizzly Lake is 8 miles. At a rate of 1 mile per hour puts us at Grizzly Lake around 4:30pm.
From the China Gulch Trailhead, the trail is fairly easy for about 0.5 miles, then gains 1,100 feet just before the 2 mile mark at the top of the Salmon River Divide. The next 1.2 miles is all downhill (a drop of 1,200 feet) until the China Gulch Trail meets the North Fork Trail.
Follow the North Fork Trail right toward Hobo Gulch for 100 yards to a waterfall and a place to filter and refill our water bottles.
Otherwise, we turn left on the North Fork Trail. It's 4 miles and an elevation gain of 400 feet per mile (1,600 feet total) until the Rocky Scramble up to Grizzly Lake.
At the beginning of the Rocky Scramble the trail is easy to follow. Grizzly Lake Falls pouring out of Grizzly Lake is in view.
The trail steepens, and gives way to more granite boulder hopping and following rock cairns (rocks stacked by people marking the way).
Turning left away from Grizzly Lake Falls, is the steepest part, 2 rocky chutes that require hands and feet.
Once through the second chute, the route gradually becomes less steep, and finally, almost a normal trail again. At this point Grizzly Lake comes into view.
We'll find a camping spot, enjoy the evening at the shore of Grizzly Lake that maybe includes some stargazing.
On Sunday, we'll retrace our steps. After a leisurely departure, we'll make our way carefully down the Rocky Scramble. After 4 more miles, we'll be at the turn-off for China Gulch.
It's 1,200 feet of elevation gain in 1.4 miles to reach the Salmon River Divide before descending the final 1.8 miles to the China Gulch Trailhead.
If we depart the China Gulch Trailhead by 6pm to drive home, we will be out of the wilderness before it gets dark.
Please feel free to contact Chris by Meetup Message or Text at (541) 261-8167.
