Outdoor Project

There are several Big Bear Lakes in California, and even more spread across the Western U.S. When there's a Big Bear Lake, there's usually a Little Bear Lake nearby, and the Bear Lakes Basin in the Trinity Alps Wilderness is no exception. Wee Bear Lake lives up to its appellation and adds unique scenery and opportunities to the Trinity Alps version of the Three Bears.

The Stoney Ridge Trail is one of the shorter options to get to the crest of the Red Trinities. You will pay for it, however, as it is a relatively steep 4.5 miles to get to Stonewall Pass. Like many of the other passes in the Red Trinities, you'll be treated to amazing views of the surrounding mountains including the dramatic White Trinities that spring up on the western side of Stuart's Fork. And like many other trails in the vast Trinity Alps Wilderness, you can keep on adding destinations to your heart's content.

The Red Trinities are a wonderland for botanists, geologists, photographers, and adventurers. The rocks here, stained red with deep mantle-sourced perdodite, contrast beautify with the White Trinities that are found to the west of the Stuart Fork drainage. Another source of geologic contrast comes from the Gibson Peak pluton, a mass of granite and younger rocks that forcefully intruded right through the heart of the ancient ultramafic rocks that gives the Red Trinities their name. This trip brings you to ground zero of this clash of colorful geology.

James Canyon is one of many secluded retreats that carve through Northern Arizona's ponderosa forests. Once down in the canyon, you will be walking through a surprisingly verdant oasis of oak, elm, boxelder, cane grass, horsetail, and wild iris that grow between craggy canyon walls forested in pines, firs, and aspens. This ecological microcosm is a pleasant retreat during the heat of summer, featuring permanent pools and plentiful shade.

The Hunter Creek Trail is a popular hiking and trail running destination due to its proximity to Reno and the 30-foot waterfall at the end of a consistent climb of just more than 1,000 feet.

This there-and-back trail is about 3 miles each way. The trail remains within view of the creek bed, which forms a riparian ribbon down an otherwise parched desert canyon.

Nature couldn’t have designed Potem Falls better if it tried. A hidden gem of the greater Redding area, Potem Falls offers the perfect respite from Shasta County’s scorching summer heat. Potem is a beautiful watershed to experience any time of year, but summer is when Potem is at it’s best, with a postcard worthy pool laying at the base of a sheer 70-foot waterfall beckoning swimmers to take a dip. 

Upper Falls makes the final upstream fall comprising McCloud Falls, a trio of waterfalls located on a gorgeous stretch of the Upper McCloud River.

Located a mile upstream from Lower Falls, Middle Falls is the second in a trio of waterfalls referred to as McCloud Falls, on this tranquil stretch of the Upper McCloud River running to the southeast of Mount Shasta.

Situated in the lee of Mount Shasta’s southeast facing slopes flows the upper reach of the McCloud River, and a particularly picturesque section of three waterfalls known as McCloud Falls. The furthest downstream of the falls, called Lower Falls, offers an easily accessible and when hot out, immensely popular, stretch of river idyllic for swimming. 

Located 2.5 miles up river from Gold Bar, the deep waters, slow moving current, and sandy beaches at Big Eddy Park make for one of the Skykomish River's best swimming holes. Specifically, under the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad bridge, two pools have been carved out to create safe waters for even the youngest of kids. Note, however, that the turquoise waters of the Skykomish River are fed from the high peaks of the Cascades and can be surprisingly cold year-round.