Cross country hiking in the Caribou Wilderness

Cross country hiking in the Caribou Wilderness
Cross Country Hiking

Caribou Wilderness

Lassen National Forest

Cross country hiking in the Caribou Wilderness gives you the opportunity to climb peaks, visit lakes that few people ever see and experience nature in her purest form. Be prepared before you leave the trail. The terrain looks very similar from one ridge to another. It's rocky as well. You'll need back country map, GPS navigation unit or compass, appropriate dress, first aid supplies, water and food.

Climbing to the highest points in the Wilderness: Red Cinder (8,375 ft.) is the highest point in the Wilderness. Leave the trail at North Divide Lake and go due west to the mountain. It is a gradual up over 2-1/2 miles. Great vistas over the Wilderness and into Lassen National Park.

Red Cinder has fabulous views into Lassen National Park.

North Caribou (7,793 ft.) is central to the Wilderness. Leave the trail at Cypress Lake walking south up the ridge to the north shoulder of mountain. Hike up the shoulder to the peak. You can see the Wilderness in all directions including most of the lakes. You also can see Mt. Lassen and Mt. Shasta on most days.

View to the east towards Silver and Caribou Lakes.

South Caribou (7,767 ft.) is just south of North Caribou and usually appears red at the top. Access this mountain via North Caribou, from the west at Long Lake or from the south at Hidden Lakes. The south approach is hampered by thick manzanita.

Discovering lost lakes:

Take a short hike to Rim Rock Lake. It is located between the northshore of Silver Lake and Hourglass Lake.

Rim Rock Lake is about 1/2 mile from Silver Lake.

Lindsay and Kirby Lakes. Lindsay Lake is located just under the northeast ridge of South Caribou Mountain. Kirby Lake is approximately a third of a mile east of Lindsay on the ridge. Both lakes are best accessed from the south shore of Silver Lake. Head southwest from the end of the perimeter road up the ridge climbing towards Kirby. Lindsay Lake is further west. You'll see the Lake from the ridge. There are easy ways down.

Approaching Kirby Lake.

Lost Lakes. This string of lakes is located below North Caribou Mountain and can be reached walking north from Kirby and Lindsay Lakes.