Trinity Alps Winter access

Wondering if anyone here has any information on winter access in the Trinity alps. Are snow mobiles allowed? Looking for any foot powered beta on a trinity traverse attempt. 

It’s a wilderness so no but you can up to the trailhead, and go for it, been done before, even heard of Callahan to Big Bar in high snow years. There’s a few dog team folks might be able to hire them for a logistical resupply, Also the River Complex definitely F’ed up a fair amount of roads to the trailheads so if you haven’t been out there since then I would check in with the Shasta T or Klamath. TBH easiest access to tails in the Alps would be Carter Meadows Summit if coming from the North, the PCT over Scott Mountain Summit is not plowed going from Callahan to Trinity Center, you could always come up through weaverville but I don’t have much winter beta for out that way

Dylan do you know the road conditions for Callahan-Cecilville Rd? 

Jake R wrote:

Dylan do you know the road conditions for Callahan-Cecilville Rd? 

Yes busy af on weekends everyone in the valley up there riding sleds and skis, plowed with packed snow up high, and you can get all the way over to Cecilville in a 2WD truck but definitely bring some chains and a shovel just in case if you’re 2WD. I would like to state I’m absolutely inexperienced at snow driving and I was fine, minus parking. It is kinda a free for all right there at carter meadows summit finding parking so expect trailers and trucks in every nook and cranny and in travel lanes on weekends. If you’re parking overnight on the summit I would the entrance to the campground is probably your best parking that wouldn’t be in the way of the plow since the area right by the PCT is almost always taken. Definitely doable getting over to Cecilville to climb but takes a bit longer for sure.

Yup I am looking to climb. Thanks for the info very helpful. 

If I were interested in ski touring in the White Trinities, what is the best access? I am most interested in getting toward Thompson Peak. It looks like Canyon Creek Rd from the south is probably snowed in and not plowed. MP search function seems broken right now so I can't find other mentions of winter access to the Trinity Alps.

you won't find much information on line.  I've toured into canyon creek/thompson/wedding cake/hilton area from canyon creek.  It is the only access unless you sled in coffee creek road and tour up and over into the basin.  I've always wanted to sled out coffee creek because there is a ton of terrain out there.

I'd wait til spring to make sure you have access to the canyon creek trail head, but still have snow on the approach.  The trailhead is pretty low in elevation but I'm sure the road can be snowed in.  best to check the road status at the rangers station in Weaverville.  There are also major slide paths across the trail getting to canyon lakes so really assess the avi conditions.

There are other access points into the alps from the west side of Trinity lake into places like weaver bally, granite peak and other areas, but I've only been there in the summer.

Probably also access from Salmon River and Highway 3 into random areas to ski tour.

splitclimber wrote:

you won't find much information on line.  I've toured into canyon creek/thompson/wedding cake/hilton area from canyon creek.  It is the only access unless you sled in coffee creek road and tour up and over into the basin.  I've always wanted to sled out coffee creek because there is a ton of terrain out there.

I'd wait til spring to make sure you have access to the canyon creek trail head, but still have snow on the approach.  The trailhead is pretty low in elevation but I'm sure the road can be snowed in.  best to check the road status at the rangers station in Weaverville.  There are also major slide paths across the trail getting to canyon lakes so really access the avi conditions.

There are other access points into the alps from the west side of Trinity lake into places like weaver bally, granite peak and other areas, but I've only been there in the summer.

Probably also access from Salmon River and Highway 3 into random areas to ski tour.

Thanks so much, split. The area does seem to keep a veil of mystery about it-- part of the appeal, I suppose.

Dylan Easterling wrote:

It’s a wilderness so no but you can up to the trailhead, and go for it, been done before, even heard of Callahan to Big Bar in high snow years. There’s a few dog team folks might be able to hire them for a logistical resupply, Also the River Complex definitely F’ed up a fair amount of roads to the trailheads so if you haven’t been out there since then I would check in with the Shasta T or Klamath. TBH easiest access to tails in the Alps would be Carter Meadows Summit if coming from the North, the PCT over Scott Mountain Summit is not plowed going from Callahan to Trinity Center, you could always come up through weaverville but I don’t have much winter beta for out that way

I’ve heard of only one other team, and they needed to be heli’d in to the big bar area. My goal is to skin in, set up high camp above the canyon creek drainage and upper lake. From there I plan on skiing all 5 peaks with wedding cake being my last and final descent back into lower canyon creek. I really appreciate all the advice. I’ve hired a local guide here in Tahoe to join and I’ve got a ton of good bets from the Shasta avy peeps! 

stoked for you.  Here's a few pics of the area from mid-April 2008.  Our favorite run was a line we called the Hilton Halfpipe.  You'll know it when you see it.

Check out Coastal Crest Ski Patrol.

Joe Knoedler wrote:

I’ve heard of only one other team, and they needed to be heli’d in to the big bar area. My goal is to skin in, set up high camp above the canyon creek drainage and upper lake. From there I plan on skiing all 5 peaks with wedding cake being my last and final descent back into lower canyon creek. I really appreciate all the advice. I’ve hired a local guide here in Tahoe to join and I’ve got a ton of good bets from the Shasta avy peeps! 

A lot of local folks have been in there a lot before them they just don’t like to share their stuff. Have fun! Also there’s a couple folks around that run dog teams in the area that might be up to help support. Post pictures 

fyi Canyon Creek rd was closed not far from hwy 299 because of repeated rockslides. Last I checked it was still closed, hoping it gets sorted soon but with all the snow we've had recently its probably not their highest priority. Thou Shale Not Pass <link to article