If you would like a taste of the Trinity Alps without too much strenuous effort, try Boulder Lakes Trail, just north of Trinity Center. Known as one of the easiest trails in the Trinity Alps Wilderness, Boulder Lakes Trail will lead you to Boulder Lake (586-foot elevation gain) or Little Boulder Lake (687-foot elevation gain), within ~1.75 miles to either (3.5 miles round trip).
We chose to go to Little Boulder Lake because we had never been there—we had always shot by the junction on our way to the larger Boulder Lake. Indeed, Boulder Lake is the more popular destination due to size, number of available campsites, and proximity to farther-away destinations such as Tapie Peak, and Tapie, Lost, and Found lakes. It is set in a more meadowy and forested landscape
The trail divides at ~0.5 miles from either lake. Up to that point, a great deal of the landscape had been burned in the River Complex fires of 2021. There is some intact, open forest along the main section of trail, but much of it is burned.
The side trail to Little Boulder Lake does get out of the burn after ~0.25 miles, and the rest of the way is beautifully forested.
Little Boulder Lake, while quite small, definitely fits the description of the typical Trinity Alps lake. Nestled against impressive granite slopes and ringed by shore-crowding shrubs, we had no doubt that we were in the Trinities. There are a couple campsites here as well, but they mostly used as overflow when Boulder Lake campsites are full.
Because it is one of the Trinity Alps’ easier trails, Boulder Lakes Trail is quite popular and can be very busy. This was certainly true on the day of our hike—we were passed by numerous young families coming out after a weekend of fishing at Boulder Lake. Little Boulder Lake also had campers in three tents at one campsite.
And there were flowers! The blooming season lasts a little longer than in the valley at this elevation (6,328 feet at Little Boulder Lake), but several species were also in fruit. Here are a few of the botanical beauties that we saw. All photos by Don Burk. Enjoy! ~Laurie & Don Burk
