Lookout Rock trail is an adventure. If you successfully navigate it you will feel proud and be rewarded with expansive, flower-filled meadows; small alpine lakes; and incredible vistas of the Trinity Alps Wilderness. Most of it runs through the site of the 1999 Megram Fire and is brushy and overgrown though maintenance did occur in 2019. It climbs steeply over the shoulder of North Trinity Mountain to Water Dog Lakes, then descends into a basin before climbing again, more gradually and not as much, to Lookout Rock, with views east across Red Cap Canyon to the Devil’s Backbone. The trail is essentially nonexistent in places, so a GPS with the track loaded is highly recommended.
eBird list for hike & vicinity
Six Rivers National Forest Lower Trinity Ranger District: 530-629-2118
Six Rivers National Forest Orleans Ranger District: 530-627-3291
A Hoopa Forestry crew performed maintenance on the first part of this route, the Long Prairie Trail to the vicinity of Water Dog Lakes, July 2019, clearing it for hikers and stock.
These trails are currently closed to the public due to the ongoing Red Fire. The Horse Trail Ridge portion of the hike has been heavily impacted by activity managing the fire. A hand line was established all along the ridge. The Long Prairie Tr. has received heavy use for access. Look for major activity this fall and next spring, rehabilitating the area of these trails.