The Caribou Wilderness Area
by Dean Growdon
In Lassen County, we are fortunate to have several wilderness areas, but one holds a special place in my heart: the Caribou Wilderness, a true treasure in our own backyard.
My earliest memories of the area come from childhood family outings — hiking through ferns and pines to clear, beautiful lakes, swimming in icy water, and enjoying the variety of wildlife.
I spent many days in the Caribou Wilderness during my youth and young adulthood. Most of those memories are fond, except for the times when mosquitoes were relentless, though thankfully that was the exception rather than the rule. You should consider visiting this gem and making some of your own memories.
There are three primary access points to the Caribou Wilderness. The first, and most used, is the Caribou Lake Trailhead at the east end of the wilderness area, accessible via Silver Lake Road from A-21.
The second is the Cone Lake Trailhead at the north end of the wilderness area, accessible from County Road A-21 or Highway 44. The third is the Hay Meadow Trailhead on the south side of the wilderness area, near Echo Lake, and is easy to reach from Highway 36.
Unfortunately, much of the beautiful vegetation was burned during the Dixie Fire, but there is still plenty of beauty to behold. The shimmering waters, the returning vegetation, and the birds, deer, squirrels, and fish remain a sight to see.
Although bicycles and motorized vehicles are prohibited in the wilderness area, equestrian use and hiking are permitted, and many of the trails are marked. The trail system covers a vast area, making multi-day camping and hiking trips possible. Remember to be safe and responsible: bring an emergency notification device with satellite connectivity, a first-aid kit, and other appropriate safety and survival equipment. And, of course, let someone know where you are going and when you plan to return.
Hunting and fishing are also permitted in the wilderness area, and some adventurous people enjoy pursuing their quarry in this remote, primitive environment. I have been fortunate to catch fish in several of the area’s lakes, likely planted by the Backcountry Horsemen – High Country Unit, which has been packing fingerling trout into many of the lakes in the Caribou Wilderness for the past five to six years.
My usual approach is to hike to a lake and look for signs of life, mainly fish breaching the surface, though in some lakes I have been able to spot fish swimming in the shallows. I typically target them with small nymphs or dry flies and use a 3 or 4-weight rod. Of course, I practice catch-and-release in hopes that the fish will continue to thrive in these beautiful mountain lakes.
If you are not familiar with the Caribou Wilderness, you can learn more on the Lassen National Forest Website. Here is an excerpt from their page:
“The Caribou Wilderness is a gentle, rolling, forested plateau dotted with glacial lakes. Reminders of volcanic and glacial origin are apparent throughout this remote, unpopulated area. Crater peaks, cinder cones, and numerous large and small depressions have resulted in the formation of the crystalline lakes that are scattered throughout the plateau.
“Caribou Peaks, Black Cinder Rock, and Red Cinder are points of interest. The average elevation is 6,900 feet. The highest point, Red Cinder, is 8,370 feet. From here there are majestic views of the lofty mountains that surround this primitive wilderness. Located on the eastern slopes of what was once Mount Tehama, this area is surrounded by the volcanic peaks of Swain Mountain, Bogard Buttes, Prospect Peak, Ash Butte, Red Cinder Cone and Mount Harkness.
“The Forest cover is mostly lodgepole pine with a mixture of Jeffrey pine, white and red fir, western white pine, and hemlock. In early summer, wildflowers brighten the trail and water lilies cluster in ponds.
“The headwaters of the Susan River originate in the Caribou. This water percolates up through the porous volcanic aquifer and is a major year around water source for the east slope of the Cascades. While scouting out a route to bring wagon trains through, early day hunting parties also ventured into the Caribou area to find game for survival. Today, their route is known as the Lassen Trail.
“The larger lakes that are deep enough to support fish are home to brook and rainbow trout. Some familiar birds that make their home in the Caribou are the bald eagle, osprey, common merganser, eared grebe, and many types of ducks.
“The summer use period is approximately June 15 to October 15, although early spring could open up the lower areas by Memorial Day. Hypothermia can be a problem in spring and fall seasons with cold rains.”
