Crogan Hole is the shortest loop option in Humboldt’s portion of the Trinity Alps Wilderness. It’s pretty easy, with relatively little elevation change. The area was heavily burned in the 1999 Megram Fire and much of the hike passes through an immense brush-field full of burnt snags. However you may feel about stand-replacing wildfires, they sure do open up the view – for a while! The far end of the loop hits a section of unburned forest with some nice meadows. Several fords could be problematic during heavy flows. Although nearly half the hike is outside the wilderness on roads, you can expect zero traffic and these sections are pleasant in their own right.
Six Rivers National Forest Lower Trinity Ranger District: 530-629-2118
The Crogan Hole Trail, forming the upper part of the loop described in the book, received maintenance from a Hoopa Tribe forestry crew, summer 2019. Down logs were cut. The Crogan Basin Trail, which forms the continuation to Bear Hole, was logged out and brushed out in 2016 and 2017, putting it in a condition suitable for hikers and stock. There has probably been substantial regrowth of brush since then.
Apparently the Hoopa Tribe forestry crew did some work on Crogan Basin Tr., and there’s a good prospect of further maintenance being done some time this summer.
This trail is currently closed to the public, due to the ongoing Red Fire.
In June of 2024, getting brushy again in places, but still easy to follow. You won’t see anyone else out there! Interesting immersion in post-fire recovery. Everything coming back well except conifers. Shrubs were blooming like crazy.