Trail Gulch Trail Head

Elevation:5,000'

Location:

Within Carter Meadows area.

Direction to Trail Gulch TH:From the east entrance into Carter Meadows, pass Group Horse Camp, Hidden Lake TH, and Hidden Horse Camp and Trail Gulch TH is the next TH. It is about 1.7 miles from the start of the Carter Meadow road. NOTE: The 1983 version of the Trinity Alps Wilderness map has the Long Gulch Trail and Lake and the Trail Gulch Trail and Lake reversed! This error has been corrected on subsequent maps, and the trail signs are correct. Just be aware of this if you are using a 1983 version of the map.

Road Conditions:

Good all the way. No 4-wheel drive needed.

Map:

Forest Service Trinity Alps Wilderness Map. One "mile square" left of R.9W. (top of map) and "one mile square" below T.39N. (side of map). NOTE The map used in this link is the 1983 version which has the Long Gulch Trail and Lake and the Trail Gulch Trail and Lake REVERSED!

Open by:

Trail Gulch TH is usually open by Late June.

Trail Head Ammenities:

No Corrals or camping facilities.
There is room to turn around large horse trailers
This is a heavily used Trail Head but the chances are good of finding a parking spot along the road.
There is a creek at the TH for watering stock
No fees.
There are 2 trails heading out of this trail-head.

Comments:

Trails out of TH:

Trail Gulch trail climbs up to Trail Gulch Lake, which is a nice swimming and fishing lake and a nice place to camp. After leaving the lake it climbs up to the ridge, where you can branch off onto a number of other trails including a second branch onto Trail Gulch Trail, which is a great day-ride loop with spectacular views from the ridge between the two trails and lakes.
The Carter Meadow trail connects this trail head with the other trail heads within Carter Meadows. It's a nice trail all on it's own beneath the trees in most sections with a number of creek crossings.

Trail Heads Home/ Zinkel Long Ears & Pack