One of California's largest and most remote wilderness areas, covering over 500,000 acres of rugged granite peaks, glacial cirques, and pristine alpine lakes — all within an hour of Weaverville. Unlike the Sierra Nevada, the Trinity Alps see relatively few visitors, meaning you can find solitude on trails that would be crowded further east. The terrain ranges from dense Douglas fir forest at lower elevations to exposed ridgelines above 8,000 feet. Popular entry points near Weaverville include the Stuart Fork trailhead (leading to Emerald and Sapphire Lakes) and the Canyon Creek trailhead. Conditions are best from late June through September; the rest of the year snow blocks most high routes. Pick up a wilderness permit at the Weaverville ranger station before heading in.