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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