Unusual lakes in the ‘Russian desert’ in California: how to get there and what to see

Deep in the heart of the wilds of far northern California, there is a tiny lake unlike any other, flanked by a wall that looks like it was created by a giant with a hammer and chisel. It’s called Statue Lake, and for good reason. What unusual lakes can be found for recreation in California, the San Francisco Chronicle told.

Thousands of years of ice, snow and rain, combined with cold winters and warm summers, have transformed the granite edge of the Statue Lake cliffs into a series of statues. One looks like a miniature Half Dome – some say it’s the profile of a knight wearing a helmet. The other looks like the head of a prehistoric horse turned to the side. And the ridge looks like the back of a stegosaurus.

Statue Lake is located at an elevation of 7,200 feet (2,194 m) in the Russian Wilderness, a 12,000-acre (4,850 ha) wilderness area with 25 small pristine lakes in the Klamath National Forest in Siskiyou County. The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) provides end-to-end access to pristine campsites along these lakes.

The lake can look like it’s from another planet, and for many it’s as far away as it could be. The nearest town, Yreka, is over 2 hours away from either trail.

Compared to the world-famous 242,000-acre Marble Mountain Wilderness to the north and the 517,000-acre Trinity Alps Wilderness to the south, the tiny Russian Wilderness is often overlooked.

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Some of the best lakes are on unmarked roads, although most are well-traveled and easy to navigate. For those new to reading the landscape to find routes, US Geological Society topographic maps are helpful. A large map of the Klamath National Forest provides good directions to the trails.

No fires allowed. Those who cook with camp stoves must obtain a campfire permit from one of the Klamath District Offices. Most are in the Fort Jones office (530-643-1838).

Best routes and destinations in Russian Wilderness

Musk Creek Trailhead, Statue Lake

Music Creek Trailhead is at 6,000 feet (1,829 m) at the end of Forest Road 40N54, a dirt road with a 4,000-foot (1,220 m) elevation gain more than 9 miles (14.5 km) from the Salmon River Bridge. The trail climbs 1,000 feet (304 m) for about 2 miles (3.2 km) to the PCT. This area burned in a fire in 2014, and the forest is now filled with manzanita and fireweed among the tree skeletons.

On the PCT you turn right and drive 1.5 miles (2.4 km) into the woods and drive to a large campground on the right with a stream and unsigned trail on the left. Turn left and climb about a half mile to Statue Lake. The lake is less than an acre and only 15 feet (4.5 m) deep, so it warms up quickly by midday.

Etna Summit, Paynes Lake

Etna Summit, at 5,960 feet (1,815 km), is 10 miles (16 km) by paved road from the city of Etna and serves as a major stop on the PCT. When traveling south, you can head to Upper Ruffey Lake (2.5 miles (4 km) one way), Smith Lake (4 miles (6.4 km) one way) or Paynes Lake (6.5 miles (10 km) ) one way). Above Paynes there is a well-trodden, unsigned route that roughly follows a small stream to the Albert Lakes.

Taylor Lake Trailhead, Hogan Lake

The turnoff to the trail is a short distance west of Etna’s summit. Then it’s just 2 miles (3.2 km) to the Taylor Lake Trailhead (6400 ft/1950 m) and a 0.4 mile (0.6 am) hike with a 100-foot climb to the lake. Taylor is one of the few wilderness lakes that is wheelchair accessible.

From Taylor, walk a short distance to the base of the lake, then look for the tree-marked turnoff to Hogan Lake. Then it’s a 3.7-mile (6 km) one-way hike, up and then down to Hogan Lake. This is a beautiful lake with good fishing for small trout, swimming and camping.

Duck Easton Trailhead, Big Duck Lake

The route is located at 4,400 feet (1,340 m) at the eastern base of the Russian Wilderness and will therefore require an elevation gain of over 2,000 feet (610 m) to reach the inland lakes. Additionally, many of the routes follow long-abandoned roads dating back to the 1940s, often steep, with no switchbacks. However, you have the choice of accessing Lipstick (4 miles (6.4 km) one way), Big Duck (4 miles (6.4 km) one way), Little Duck (4.5 miles (7 .2 km) one way), Eaton (4.5 miles (7.2 km) one way) and Horseshoe (4 miles (6.4 km) one way).

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You can spend a week here – a night on each lake. There are 18 species of conifers in a square mile near Duck Lake, which is the largest diversity of conifers in the world.

Carter Meadows Summit Trailhead, Russian Lake

To reach the southern tip of the Russian Wilderness, most opt ​​for a long but steady hike beyond Carter Meadows. You will meet lakes Siphon, Russian, Waterdog, Little Russian and Golden Russian.

The route to Little Russian and Golden Russian, once home to the state’s only golden trout, leads into a deep depression and is a challenging hike without a trail.

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