Trinity Lakes opening two weeks early

Big Trinity Lake is one of the easier ones in the mountains' multi-lake complex to reach.

Due to the low snow pack and early snow melt, recreation facilities in the high elevation Trinity Lakes Recreation Area opened Tuesday, July 2, about two weeks earlier than normal.

All campgrounds, roads and trails are now open, but the Trinity Mountain Cabin, which is available through reservations, will not open until July 15 due to repair work.

"Although weather conditions provided the opportunity to open the area early, the ability to keep the area open later in the season could be a factor," said Jake Strohmeyer, acting Mountain Home District Ranger.

"With a set operating schedule and budgets, late season facility cleaning, host services and water systems could be affected."

Services at the campgrounds normally are cut off in mid-October, but remain open to camping through Nov. 10.

The area was partially affected by last year's 146,000-acre Trinity Ridge Fire and visitors will need to use caution in the recently burned areas. Snag trees falling, rocks rolling off steep banks or high water flows are hazards to be alert to.

Strohmeyer said Little Roaring Campground is the most heavily fire impacted site, but substantial mitigation work is being done to remove hazard trees.

The area directly adjacent to Big Trinity Lake was only slightly impacted.

Throughout the area, visitors can expect to see a mosaic of burn intensities.

But overall, Strohmeyer said, the views remain enjoyable.