Klamath National Forest - Siphon Lake - Member Hike

Hike Name:	Klamath National Forest - Siphon Lake
Country:	United States
State:	California
Nearby Town:	Mount Shasta
Rating:
Directions:	CARTER MEADOWS SUMMIT TRAILHEAD: From I-5 at Callahan, CA take the Edgewood-Gazelle Exit (3.5 miles North of Weed) and drive 7.5 miles toward Gazelle. In Gazelle, CA, turn left onto Gazelle-Callahan Road and drive 26.5 miles to Callahan, CA. In Callahan, turn onto Forest Highway 93 just before the South Fork River and head west toward Cecilville, Forks of Salmon and Somes Bar for 11.5 miles to Forest Service Road 39N08. Turn onto Forest Service Road 39N08 and follow it up a gravel road to the trailhead at Carters Meadow Summit. A sign that reads "Pacific Crest Trail, 1/4 mi." is near the summit and there is a parking area nearby that can take about 10 cars.
Total Hike Distance:	10.00 miles
Hike Difficulty:	Moderate to Difficult
Permit Required:	No
Hike Type:	In & Out, Backtrack Hike
Hike Starts/Ends:	Carter Meadows Summit
Trails Used:	Pacific Crest Trail
Backcountry Campsites:	No
Backcountry Water Sources:	Streams, Lakes, Springs
Management:	U.S. Forest Service
Contact Information:	Forest/Park/Wilderness: Klamath National Forest Management: National Forest Service Park Address/Phone Number: 1312 Fairlane Road Yreka, CA 96097-9549 (530) 842-6131
Best Season:	Summer
Users:	Hikers, Dogs, Horses
Road Conditions:	Primary Paved Roads, Secondary Paved Roads, Maintained Gravel or Dirt Roads
Hike Summary:	The 12,000 acre Russian Wilderness spans the major ridge dividing the Scott and Salmon River drainages. It contains 22 lakes, most set in glacial bowls surrounded by granite peaks. The area is of national botanical significance because of the great diversity of trees and other plant species, and it has an extensive trail system, including the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), that provides access to many high mountain lakes in the Russian Wilderness. During a summer trip in 1999, I hiked to Siphon Lake to do some trout fishing in the area but many of the lakes were still partially frozen. We ended up camping on a high ridge near the Pacific Crest Trail and spent three days exploring the area including a number of peaks and lakes.