| Thousand Lakes Valley Trail to Crater Peak Rim Route |
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| Page Type: Route Location: California, United States, North America Lat/Lon: 39.90974°N / 119.88281°W Route Type: Hiking, Scrambling Season: Summer, Fall
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| Page By: Bubba Suess Created/Edited: Jan 31, 2008 / Jan 31, 2008 Object ID: 377334 Hits: 131 Loading... Page Score: 87.13% - 3 Votes Loading... Vote: Log in to vote |
Overview  The summit of the Red Cliffs from the crater rim
Although relatively small compared to most California wilderness areas, the Thousand Lakes Wilderness compresses an abundant number of excellent features into its compact area. High peaks reaching above the tree line, rugged cliffs, gorgeous glacial lakes, cinder cones, and old growth forests are all highlights of this seldom-visited area. The Thousand Lakes Valley trail to the Crater Peak rim manages to collect many of these elements into one splendid journey as one travels from dense forests, through a lake field glacial valley and the massive remnants of a volcanic crater to the extinct volcano’s rim, where one is treated to spectacular views of northern California. To top it off, this route provides access to three peaks exceeding 8,000 feet.
Getting ThereCypress Trailhead
From Highway 89 at Hat Creek, head west on Forest Road 34N19. It is twelve miles on the dirt road to the Cypress trailhead. There are numerous junctions on the road, but each is well signed, so the route is clear. The road itself is in excellent condition and is easily passable for a 2WD vehicle.
Route DescriptionThe trail from Cypress trailhead to the crater rim is 6 miles long and climbs 3,500 feet. From the trailhead, the route quickly crosses the normally dry Eilier Gulch. Once across the dry creek bed the trail swings south and begins to climb the eastside of the gulch. The grade is moderately steep but is not difficult and the trail is well maintained. After 1.5 miles the trail reaches a junction. Proceed to the right. If one stays to the left, large Eiler Lake is reached in 0.75 miles, and the base of Eiler Butte is another 1.0 mile further. The junction also serves as the beginning of the off-trail route to the summit of 7,845 foot Freaner Peak. This peak is a large shield volcano and has excellent views into the interior of the Thousand Lakes crater from its summit.
 The Red Cliffs above Everett Lake
Proceeding from the junction, the trail continues through the forest and reaches another junction in 0.3 miles. Continue to the right. A third junction is reached another 0.25 miles further. Again, continue to the right. Shortly after the third junction, the trail begins to switchback up a glacial moraine. After a little less than 0.5 miles the trail levels off and straightens out. The trees thin significantly and the crater rim begins to come into view. Although it has straightened out, the trail continues to climb at a steady but reasonable grade. A mile from the top of the swithbacks the route passes the Upper Twin Lakes. These small pools may dry up late in a dry year, but are generally the first water along the route. The Red Cliffs are prominently in view at this point and another 0.25 miles past the small lakes, the trail reaches Everett Lake. Here the Red Cliffs loom ominously above the lake. Although Magee Lake, which lies 0.25 miles further up the trail is just as attractive as Everett Lake, the north shore of Everett provides what may be the best campsite in the Thousand Lakes Wilderness. Watching the sunrise on the towers beyond the lake is quite memorable.
Although a trail continues along the shoreline of Magee Lake, the junction with the route to the crater rim is located at the north end of the lake. The sign has been knocked down so it may prove difficult to spot. If one reaches the end of the lake, one can either backtrack and find the junction or head due west from the lake, crossing a small drainage. This trajectory will eventually intersect with the main trail.
 Looking north toward Mt. Shasta from the crater rim
From Magee Lake the trail continues to climb steadily. Although there are sporadic groves of trees, the path is generally open and views of the Red Cliffs and the crater are excellent. After 0.75 miles the trail enters into the crater, but since the breach in the crater wall is nearly 0.25 miles wide, the passage into the crater is not as dramatic as one might expect. Nonetheless, the views from the interior of the crater are excellent. One can observe Crater Peak, Magee Peak and the Red Cliffs. Another 0.5 miles further into the crater, the trail beings its final ascent, swithcbacking steeply up the southern wall of the rim.
Once the rim is achieved, it is only a short distance further to the junction with the Magee trail. From here, the views are spectacular, taking in most of the California Cascades, including Mt. Shasta and Lassen Peak. The Trinity Alps, the North Coast Range and the distant Warner Mountains are also visible. From the junction, one can follow the rim eastward to the summit of the Red Cliffs or to the north, climbing Magee and Crater Peaks.
Map Images
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Magee Peak
