Very fun! Trailhead sign next to Red Cap Road isn't there anymore. There is a large wooden board on wooden legs with nothing on it there however, so it's still visible.
huskertriguy - Jun 28, 2020 1:09 pm Date Climbed: Jun 17, 2020
Bearly breathing
This was part of a trip pursuing county high points for an itinerary that ended up (adaptability and all that) including Modoc, Lassen, Siskiyou, Lake/Colusa, Glenn, Mendocino, Butte, Tehama, Humboldt, & Trinity counties. (As it happens, Siskiyou -- Mt. Shasta -- was the primary objective on this tour, and it was the only unsuccessful summit attempt.)
Road is paved most of the way -- some big potholes but you will not be driving too fast anyway, as it is a single lane with countless blind and tight corners. I saw a sizable bear as I came around one corner. We must have been only 50 yards apart and shared a few moments admiring one another before it took off. When I arrived at the trailhead a Camry was parked there, and I heard a family camping a short way up the road adjacent to the trail.
I set off knowing it would be likely I would finish in the dark. Not 1/2-mile up the trail I met 3 adolescent boys, each carrying an overnight pack. My initial assumption was that they were returning from a multi-day trip — one never knows, given the proclivity of adolescent males to perform their ablutions. As it was, they had only made it a couple miles up the trail before turning around because they encountered a bear “that would not leave us alone.” I offered that they could walk with me, but apparently the company of a loner long-haired and unkempt middle-aged man with pockets stuffed with Butterfinger Minis and an air mattress in the back of his rig was no comfort to them. Weird. Anyway at mile 1.5 and again at mile 3 I did encounter paw prints and bear scat. (And one of those piles was quite fresh, judging by the taste of it.). Yet I never did see a bear on the trail. Maybe it was repelled by all that teen angst and nihilistic ennui.
I am not sure how much attention/activity this trail sees. There is quite a lot of deadfall, though much of it seems to be from a particularly brutal winter up there.
Once at the bushwhack/scramble section on the south side of the objective, I started heading roughly straight up the contours. At some points along the way a semi-worn path seemed apparent, but it always faded out. Anyway I was not in the mood to poke around and kept aiming straight up. I felt relief at the ridgeline but then one last stretch of thick brush greeted me just to make me feel alive. I felt this was considerate.
The summit has a jar and a salmon-colored (how appropriate) sign as a memorial to a hiker. From here I noticed a cairn and a semi-worn path heading down the north side of the ridge, so I followed it. This too faded away, but there is also a whole lot of deadfall on the forest floor. Besides that it was easy to tromp back down to the trails. I wish I’d done this on the way up; it would have saved some time and effort.
I did finish shortly after dark with nary a bear in sight.
Beautiful day. Warm but super clear. Great view of Mt. Shasta and out to the coast. As others have mentioned... tons of bear poop but no beard seen. Trail is super overgrown in spots and I couldn't find a register. Great hike.
Getaway day for our 3 day COHP trip, Salmon has a good road to the TH, and an easy trail to near the summit. Cairns mark the final bit of off trail, although a use trail is visible for most of this stretch. TR is HERE.
davidsanger - Jun 29, 2015 10:41 pm Date Climbed: Jun 17, 2015
Early morning from trailhead
Camped at trailhead after climbing and driving from Mt. Eddy. Lots of bear scat on trail but no bears. 8.2 miles 4 1/2 hours stopping for photos and time on summit.
There is a brand new register. Mine was the second entry.
Finally saw a bear on the road on the drive back to Orleans
wildanessX - Nov 28, 2011 2:14 am Date Climbed: Sep 14, 2010
Nice!
hike was pleasant. The air was mostly clear, a few clouds. Thank you Humboldt!
Slothman - Oct 12, 2010 12:14 am Date Climbed: Oct 10, 2010
Sunrise over Shasta
Left Arcata around 2:30 and summited just after sunrise, beautiful view watching the coastal fog drift out to sea and shasta illuminated on the horizon.
Unfortunately it appears that the log book is MIA from the summit...
This was my second time summiting this year, first time was a backpack trip starting in Orleans and summiting...april snow made that a lot of fun.
mrchad9 - Jun 13, 2010 2:11 pm Date Climbed: Sep 23, 2007
Nice morning
Dewy wet in the morning, mist added to the walk through the woods, then lovely views on top. Hike Bear Mountain the day before. Backpacked in to Thompson Peak in the afternoon to climb it the next day.
Pretty hike through the woods. Waited until 7:30 for the clouds to clear before starting. The view was nice with clouds rolling over the hills. The PVC register lost its plug and paper.
keema - Aug 6, 2009 11:44 pm Date Climbed: Aug 6, 2009
Very Wet!
Started raining as I was getting my stuff together at the trail head. Quit for a bit as I neared the summit and while on the summit so had pretty views of dark peaks against a sea of low clouds. As I got back to near the north side of the peak the rain started again.
Drove the forest road to the trail head in the dark arriving at 9:30 to sleep in the back of my truck. As I drove out it was a little unnerving to see what I drove in the dark.
Brian Kalet - Jul 25, 2008 2:29 am Date Climbed: Jul 20, 2008
Did this one after a two night trip in the Marble Mountains. Pretty nice to not have the heavy pack on to do this one. Hazy views of the Marbles, Salmons, Trinities, and Shasta. Lost Coast Great White Ale on top to celebrate the Humboldt spirit.
Interesting scenic drive from Sawyer's Bar. I like the cliff side roads with no guardrails! Very beautiful area.
Took eight hours to get back to Portland after this one. Was thankful for the 24-hour Dutch Bros. on the way back!
Secure valuables at this trailhead! I had an ipod taken from my truck while I was hiking this one.
mlarkin2002 - Oct 17, 2006 10:33 pm Date Climbed: May 28, 2005
Normal route
Climbed along with Indian Rocks (interesting) and Whitney's Peak (lame).
Bob Burd - Oct 14, 2006 10:02 pm Date Climbed: Oct 7, 2006
Red Cap Trail
As Dean pointed out, the drive is the crux of this baby. Easy hike, long but scenic drive - don't be in a hurry or it will drive you nuts. Trip Report
Rockman - Sep 28, 2006 5:12 am Date Climbed: Sep 20, 2006
Salmon Mtn
I was up in the area so I figured I'd do this one. The drive was most excellent as I've never been on Hwy 96 and the ride to the trailhead was good. I arrived at the trailhead early Tues evening so just camped at the trailhead. Not a single car on my journey or during my stay. Started the hike around 8:00 am and was up quick. Lots of bear scat but no bears. Stayed on the trail to the southern side of the mountain and went up from that direction. A little longer but much easier. Hung out for well over an hour enjoying one of the best views I've seen from a county highpoint. Came off the peak on the northern ridge and had some minor class 3 to get through. Overall, it was a good mountain.
Route Climbed: Salmon Summit trail Date Climbed: Sep 24, 2005
It took me as long to drive to the trailhead for this one from my home (12 hours) as it does to go to Kings Peak Utah. The drive from I-5 to Orleans went on forever and is very short on services in that stretch (gas stations passed in 100+ miles, zip) Even the main little wide spot in the road, Happy Camp, had no gas station. A LONG drive for a short hike but hey, that's the nature of county highpointing at times.
This is a nice hike, once you get to the trail past the brushy beginning.
I enjoyed it but I didn't see another person all day. Hike this mountain if you want solitude because you'll get all you want.
The view from the summit was excellent. I spent 40 minutes on top enjoying the views (pacific ocean to the west and a sea of mountains in all other directions)
2 hours up, 1:40 down. The hardest part is the drive getting to this one.
Route Climbed: SALMON SUMMIT TRAIL NO. 6E03 Date Climbed: 29 May, 2004
Great start of a Memorial Day weekend getaway to Humboldt County with Lara. Aside from seeing a truck going the other way miles before getting to the trailhead, we didn't see another person until driving back- such solitude on a weekend like Memorial Day weekend was wonderful!
Getting a late start after a filling breakfast at the cafe in Orleans, we left the trailhead at 12.52. Adopting a very leisurely pace, reached the summit at 15.50. Hung out, ate a little food, had a Lost Coast brew, admired the amazing scenery for awhile.
Left the summit at 16.56, arriving back at the car at 19.26. Saw a bear's fat ass running away from the car on a side road, as well as a deer, on the way down.
Dezmond Remington - Jun 19, 2023 3:45 pm Date Climbed: Jun 16, 2023
The top of the world (Humboldt County)Very fun! Trailhead sign next to Red Cap Road isn't there anymore. There is a large wooden board on wooden legs with nothing on it there however, so it's still visible.
huskertriguy - Jun 28, 2020 1:09 pm Date Climbed: Jun 17, 2020
Bearly breathingThis was part of a trip pursuing county high points for an itinerary that ended up (adaptability and all that) including Modoc, Lassen, Siskiyou, Lake/Colusa, Glenn, Mendocino, Butte, Tehama, Humboldt, & Trinity counties. (As it happens, Siskiyou -- Mt. Shasta -- was the primary objective on this tour, and it was the only unsuccessful summit attempt.)
Road is paved most of the way -- some big potholes but you will not be driving too fast anyway, as it is a single lane with countless blind and tight corners. I saw a sizable bear as I came around one corner. We must have been only 50 yards apart and shared a few moments admiring one another before it took off. When I arrived at the trailhead a Camry was parked there, and I heard a family camping a short way up the road adjacent to the trail.
I set off knowing it would be likely I would finish in the dark. Not 1/2-mile up the trail I met 3 adolescent boys, each carrying an overnight pack. My initial assumption was that they were returning from a multi-day trip — one never knows, given the proclivity of adolescent males to perform their ablutions. As it was, they had only made it a couple miles up the trail before turning around because they encountered a bear “that would not leave us alone.” I offered that they could walk with me, but apparently the company of a loner long-haired and unkempt middle-aged man with pockets stuffed with Butterfinger Minis and an air mattress in the back of his rig was no comfort to them. Weird. Anyway at mile 1.5 and again at mile 3 I did encounter paw prints and bear scat. (And one of those piles was quite fresh, judging by the taste of it.). Yet I never did see a bear on the trail. Maybe it was repelled by all that teen angst and nihilistic ennui.
I am not sure how much attention/activity this trail sees. There is quite a lot of deadfall, though much of it seems to be from a particularly brutal winter up there.
Once at the bushwhack/scramble section on the south side of the objective, I started heading roughly straight up the contours. At some points along the way a semi-worn path seemed apparent, but it always faded out. Anyway I was not in the mood to poke around and kept aiming straight up. I felt relief at the ridgeline but then one last stretch of thick brush greeted me just to make me feel alive. I felt this was considerate.
The summit has a jar and a salmon-colored (how appropriate) sign as a memorial to a hiker. From here I noticed a cairn and a semi-worn path heading down the north side of the ridge, so I followed it. This too faded away, but there is also a whole lot of deadfall on the forest floor. Besides that it was easy to tromp back down to the trails. I wish I’d done this on the way up; it would have saved some time and effort.
I did finish shortly after dark with nary a bear in sight.
Car to car in 3:15.
ChrisValle - Jul 6, 2020 7:52 pm
Re: Bearly breathingOffer me Butterfinger Minis, and I'd follow you anywhere.
Jonodo - Jul 13, 2019 2:49 pm Date Climbed: Jul 12, 2019
Red Cap TrailBeautiful day. Warm but super clear. Great view of Mt. Shasta and out to the coast. As others have mentioned... tons of bear poop but no beard seen. Trail is super overgrown in spots and I couldn't find a register. Great hike.
trexkerry - Jul 18, 2015 5:15 pm Date Climbed: Jul 13, 2015
Nice and easyGetaway day for our 3 day COHP trip, Salmon has a good road to the TH, and an easy trail to near the summit. Cairns mark the final bit of off trail, although a use trail is visible for most of this stretch. TR is HERE.
davidsanger - Jun 29, 2015 10:41 pm Date Climbed: Jun 17, 2015
Early morning from trailheadCamped at trailhead after climbing and driving from Mt. Eddy. Lots of bear scat on trail but no bears. 8.2 miles 4 1/2 hours stopping for photos and time on summit.
There is a brand new register. Mine was the second entry.
Finally saw a bear on the road on the drive back to Orleans
wildanessX - Nov 28, 2011 2:14 am Date Climbed: Sep 14, 2010
Nice!hike was pleasant. The air was mostly clear, a few clouds. Thank you Humboldt!
Slothman - Oct 12, 2010 12:14 am Date Climbed: Oct 10, 2010
Sunrise over ShastaLeft Arcata around 2:30 and summited just after sunrise, beautiful view watching the coastal fog drift out to sea and shasta illuminated on the horizon.
Unfortunately it appears that the log book is MIA from the summit...
Slothman - Oct 12, 2010 12:15 am
Re: Sunrise over ShastaThis was my second time summiting this year, first time was a backpack trip starting in Orleans and summiting...april snow made that a lot of fun.
mrchad9 - Jun 13, 2010 2:11 pm Date Climbed: Sep 23, 2007
Nice morningDewy wet in the morning, mist added to the walk through the woods, then lovely views on top. Hike Bear Mountain the day before. Backpacked in to Thompson Peak in the afternoon to climb it the next day.
Adamus - Sep 8, 2009 7:09 pm Date Climbed: Sep 6, 2009
Salmon Summit TrailPretty hike through the woods. Waited until 7:30 for the clouds to clear before starting. The view was nice with clouds rolling over the hills. The PVC register lost its plug and paper.
keema - Aug 6, 2009 11:44 pm Date Climbed: Aug 6, 2009
Very Wet!Started raining as I was getting my stuff together at the trail head. Quit for a bit as I neared the summit and while on the summit so had pretty views of dark peaks against a sea of low clouds. As I got back to near the north side of the peak the rain started again.
Drove the forest road to the trail head in the dark arriving at 9:30 to sleep in the back of my truck. As I drove out it was a little unnerving to see what I drove in the dark.
Brian Kalet - Jul 25, 2008 2:29 am Date Climbed: Jul 20, 2008
Red Cap Trail2nd of 7 county highpoints in 4 days.
cmc56789 - Sep 7, 2007 3:04 pm Date Climbed: Sep 6, 2007
Humboldt County HighpointDid this one after a two night trip in the Marble Mountains. Pretty nice to not have the heavy pack on to do this one. Hazy views of the Marbles, Salmons, Trinities, and Shasta. Lost Coast Great White Ale on top to celebrate the Humboldt spirit.
Interesting scenic drive from Sawyer's Bar. I like the cliff side roads with no guardrails! Very beautiful area.
Took eight hours to get back to Portland after this one. Was thankful for the 24-hour Dutch Bros. on the way back!
Secure valuables at this trailhead! I had an ipod taken from my truck while I was hiking this one.
mlarkin2002 - Oct 17, 2006 10:33 pm Date Climbed: May 28, 2005
Normal routeClimbed along with Indian Rocks (interesting) and Whitney's Peak (lame).
Bob Burd - Oct 14, 2006 10:02 pm Date Climbed: Oct 7, 2006
Red Cap TrailAs Dean pointed out, the drive is the crux of this baby. Easy hike, long but scenic drive - don't be in a hurry or it will drive you nuts. Trip Report
Rockman - Sep 28, 2006 5:12 am Date Climbed: Sep 20, 2006
Salmon MtnI was up in the area so I figured I'd do this one. The drive was most excellent as I've never been on Hwy 96 and the ride to the trailhead was good. I arrived at the trailhead early Tues evening so just camped at the trailhead. Not a single car on my journey or during my stay. Started the hike around 8:00 am and was up quick. Lots of bear scat but no bears. Stayed on the trail to the southern side of the mountain and went up from that direction. A little longer but much easier. Hung out for well over an hour enjoying one of the best views I've seen from a county highpoint. Came off the peak on the northern ridge and had some minor class 3 to get through. Overall, it was a good mountain.
Dean - Sep 26, 2005 3:16 pm
Route Climbed: Salmon Summit trail Date Climbed: Sep 24, 2005It took me as long to drive to the trailhead for this one from my home (12 hours) as it does to go to Kings Peak Utah. The drive from I-5 to Orleans went on forever and is very short on services in that stretch (gas stations passed in 100+ miles, zip) Even the main little wide spot in the road, Happy Camp, had no gas station. A LONG drive for a short hike but hey, that's the nature of county highpointing at times.
This is a nice hike, once you get to the trail past the brushy beginning.
I enjoyed it but I didn't see another person all day. Hike this mountain if you want solitude because you'll get all you want.
The view from the summit was excellent. I spent 40 minutes on top enjoying the views (pacific ocean to the west and a sea of mountains in all other directions)
2 hours up, 1:40 down. The hardest part is the drive getting to this one.
derbilly - May 31, 2005 8:16 pm
Route Climbed: Salmon Summit Trail Date Climbed: May 28, 2005Plenty of snow left on Salmon, but the trail is clear. We had fleeting glimpses of the trinities, marbles, siskiyous and shasta due to the low clouds.
Diggler - Jun 2, 2004 9:31 pm
Route Climbed: SALMON SUMMIT TRAIL NO. 6E03 Date Climbed: 29 May, 2004Great start of a Memorial Day weekend getaway to Humboldt County with Lara. Aside from seeing a truck going the other way miles before getting to the trailhead, we didn't see another person until driving back- such solitude on a weekend like Memorial Day weekend was wonderful!
Getting a late start after a filling breakfast at the cafe in Orleans, we left the trailhead at 12.52. Adopting a very leisurely pace, reached the summit at 15.50. Hung out, ate a little food, had a Lost Coast brew, admired the amazing scenery for awhile.
Left the summit at 16.56, arriving back at the car at 19.26. Saw a bear's fat ass running away from the car on a side road, as well as a deer, on the way down.
Wonderful day to be high atop Humboldt County!