Mad River, California
Looking for the best backpacking in Mad River? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Mad River. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top Backpacking Spots in and near Mad River
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Garberville, California
King's Peak via Lightning Trailhead
5.04.79 mi / 1942 ft gainKing's Peak is the tallest peak in the King Range, the home of the famous and spectacular "Lost Coast". At an elevation of 4,000' and less than 3 miles from the ocean, King's Peak provides stunning views in all directions: of canyons, beaches, foggy valleys, and the many greenhouses that dot the ...Read more -
Junction City, California
Canyon Creek Lakes
4.314.35 mi / 2605 ft gainNumerous starting points with over 550 miles of trail and easily 50+ different featured trails depending on length and what type of activity you are are looking for. One of the more popular trails, and rightfully so, is Canyon Creek Lakes Trail. This 16 mile roundtrip hike has an overall elevatio...Read more -
Junction City, California
Scramble Thompson Peak
4.022.7 mi / 6100 ft gainThis adventure begins at the Canyon Creek Lakes in the Trinity Alps wilderness. Park at the Canyon Creek Trailhead near Junction City and hike the well-maintained and easy-to-follow trail for 8 miles. Once you reach the Canyon Creek Lakes, your off-trail adventure officially begins. I’d recommend...Read more -
Junction City, California
Backcountry Camp in the Canyon Creek Drainage
9 mi / 2600 ft gainThe first half of the Canyon Creek Drainage is one of the most popular destinations within the Trinity Alps, but the second half goes largely unexplored and uninhabited by sojourners. Four peaks – Thompson Peak, Wedding Cake, Mt. Hilton, and Sawtooth Peak – surround the basin and offer adventurer...Read more -
Whitethorn, California
King's Peak from Shelter Cove
2.030.85 mi / 6204 ft gainAfter parking at Shelter Cove and securing a camping permit ($3 per night in the backcountry) follow the bear prints down the coastline for 5 miles, keeping in mind that the tide devours the beach every 12 hours. Parts of the beach become impassable at high tide. Camp overnight at Buck Creek, th...Read more -
Trinity Center, California
Stuart Fork Trail to Emerald and Sapphire Lakes
5.027.06 mi / 4213 ft gainThe trail begins just past the Trinity Alps Resort, a private collection of cabins near Weaverville, CA. Hikers wanting an early start can spend the night at the Bridge Camp Campground, located next to the trailhead. The path starts out wide and level, following an old road to the wilderness bou...Read more -
Trinity Center, California
Stuart Fork to Alpine Lake
16 mi / 4265 ft gainNestled in the heights of the Trinity Alps, this hike to Alpine Lake is not for the faint of heart. Before embarking on this adventure call the Weaverville Ranger station to check snow levels as well as the flow of the Stuart Fork River. If you are too early in the summer season the snowpack wi...Read more -
Trinity Center, California
Backpack Stuart Fork to Emerald and Sapphire Lake
25 mi / 4448 ft gainThe Stuart Fork to Emerald and Sapphire Lakes trail features many beautiful lakes, meadows, and an area that resembles a jungle. Dogs are able to use this trail. This trail can be done as a day hike, an overnight, or a three-day backpacking trip. If you choose to make it a three day, the meadows ...Read more -
Whitethorn, California
Jackass Creek via Lost Coast Trail
23 mi / 8071 ft gainThe Lost Coast is infamous. For its name alone draws visitors from around California and the world. A 26-mile stretch of coast, road less, with a wall like mountain range just yards from the ocean and beach. But with the Lost Coast being what it is, there is a lesser-known, yet equally stunning h...Read more -
Trinity Center, California
Backpack Stony Ridge in the Trinity Alps
16.5 mi / 4500 ft gainThe Trinity Alps has miles and miles of beautiful trails, but one of the more stunning sections is the Four Lakes Loop. There are two main trail heads that access the trail. Long Canyon Trail and Stony Ridge Trail both are both beautiful but Stony Ridge is the more popular route yet strenuous. To...Read more -
Petrolia, California
The Lost Coast: Mattole to Black Sands Beach
4.825.05 mi / 653 ft gainThis is an absolutely stunning 25 mile thru-hike on the northern part of California's coast. To accomplish this hike, you'll either need to bring 2 cars or use a shuttle service. It's recommended that you drop one car at the Shelter Cove Trailhead (40.0455053,-124.0778196) and either use one of t...Read more -
Forks of Salmon, California
Grizzly Lake via China Gulch Trailhead
4.414.6 mi / 5112 ft gainGrizzly Lake is in the Trinity Alps Wilderness. The lake is know for its brilliant waterfall flowing from the lake's surface straight off the side of a cliff and roughly 600 feet down to the meadow below. Grizzly lake is located in some of America's most amazing and remote alpine wilderness, incl...Read more -
Shasta County, California
Hike to the top of South Fork Mountain
5 mi / 4181 ft gainStarting from the Kanaka Peak Trailhead, follow the Kanaka Peak Trail all the way, continuing on past the Peltier Trail Junction and the Kanaka Cutoff Trail Junction until the trail begins to head east (about 2-2.5 miles from the trailhead) and there is a gently sloping hill on your right that is...Read more