Stuart Fork Trail to Emerald and Sapphire Lakes

Trail in Shasta-Trinity National Forest · Big Bar, California

13.0 mi · 5,005 ft gain · 6h 50m · Out & back.

A 13-mile moderate trail in the Trinity Alps Wilderness starting near Bridge Camp, with easy shaded hiking to Morris Meadow followed by a steeper, exposed scramble to Emerald and Sapphire Lakes; Sapphire Lake is the deepest in the Trinity Alps (200 ft), set in a dramatic granite cirque beneath Thompson Peak. A wilderness permit is required and the access road has seasonal winter closures.

Trailhead: 40.8774, -122.9219.

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