Stuart Fork to Morris Meadows,
Sapphire and Emerald Lakes
Starting out at low elevation, this forest walk develops to a spacious
alpine meadow--pondered in the Klamath Knot (Wallace, 1983) to jewel lakes--one
the deepest in the Alps, fishing and many side trips or trail links. This
is the most popular area outside of Canyon Creek. Wood is plentiful if
you camp at Portuguese Camp or below. For those interested in roadside
attractions, the large monitor (big steel hose nozzle used to destroy
land for gold) at the La Grange Mine Monument on Highway 299 on Oregon
Mt. near Buckhorn Summit was operated with water that came 26 miles from
Emerald Lake of Stuart Fork.
Cautions:
- Rattlers and bears at Morris Meadows .
- Deer season hunters.
- Need water up Suicide Ridge to Caribou Lakes. A boy died of dehydration
up on these switchbacks.
- Usually can't ford to Alpine Creek until July 1.
Points Along the Trail:
Distance: 0.0
Elevation: 3000'
Trailhead: For the first 8 miles trail goes through USFS land, except
for the first mile.
Distance: 2.0
Campsites on side creeks along the way from here.
Distance: 4.0
Deep Creek. Good Camping places.
Distance: 4.1
Elevation: 3530'
Oak Flat.
Distance: 5.0
Elevation: 3550'
Boulder Creek/Alpine Lake Trail Junction.
Alpine Lake Trail
Stream crossing of Stuart Fork after July 1.
Distance: 6.0
Trail up Alpine Creek rises 800' then meets Boulder Creek Trail to Canyon
Creek.
Distance: 9.0
Elevation: 6150'
Alpine Lake Trail rise 2600' in four miles.
Main Trail to Emerald and Sapphire Lakes
Distance: 7.0
Elevation: 3780'
Salt Creek.
Distance: 7.5
Elevation: 3860'
Deer Creek Canyon Bridge.
Distance: 8.7
Elevation: 4400'
Morris Meadows. Spacious great views. A scene in Klamath Knot (Wallace,
19??).
Distance: 11.0
Elevation: 4900'
Portuguese Camp. Good camp just below trail Junction to Caribou Lake.
Distance: 13.5
Elevation: 5500'
Emerald Lake.
Distance: 14.5
Elevation: 6100'
Sapphire Lake. Deepest Lake in the Wilderness.
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