Swift Creek to Emerald Lake Trail

Consisting of 4 drainage systems, 2 passes, and at least 4 meadows, this wonderful trail showcases everything the Trinity Alps has to offer. Starting from Swift Creek Trail Head, follow the trail to the 1967 footbridge, where you will cross over Swift Creek and begin the climb up to Granite Lake. This beautiful canyon is loaded with wildflowers starting in June. The first several miles of Granite Creek canyon provide lots of shade, but little in the way of vistas. However, if you are paying attention you will be treated to a few glimpses of Gibson Peak at the head of the canyon. About a mile or so before the lake you reach Gibson Meadow. At the lake there are over half a dozen established sites, with the prime location being waterfront sites on the north and south sides of the lake. Keep in mind that this lake see fairly heavy traffic so please practice good hygiene habits. Leaving Granite Lake we follow the beautiful canyon up to 7 Up Pass. Gibson Peak and 7 Up Peak stand above us on either side. Looking back down to Granite lake you can spot the intriguing "seam" between the Red and White Trinities. Once you reach 7 Up Pass you are treated to stunning views of Siligo Peak to your left, as well as Hilton, Sawtooth, Wedding Cake, Thompson, Caesar, and Caribou across the horizon. It's only a dozen or so switchbacks down to Deer Creek Meadow but there is no hurry with a view like this, so plan on a few minutes to take some pictures. In fact, why not take off your pack for a few minutes, have a snack and soak in the views of the central Trinity Alps. Starting from 7 Up pass and going down Deer Creek canyon you will lose about 3,000 ft of elevation in 7 miles, all the while walking down one of most unheralded canyons in the wilderness. Be sure to sneak a few peeks over your shoulder from time to time. Not only is the head of Deer Creek Canyon beautiful, but getting that perspective on where you crossed 7 Up Pass is really enjoyable. As we start to near Stuart Fork the trail climbs up and over a ridge before dropping down to the Stuart Fork Trail. From here it's less than a mile to Morris Meadow. As you enter Morris Meadow the trail Y's. The right fork is marked "Trail" by a brown Forest Service plastic sign. This is the trail to the Lakes. The left for bends back toward Stuart Fork and leads to where most of the established camps can be found. There are nearly a dozen established sites, so please take the time to find a spot where you aren't crowding your neighbors, and please don't camp "in" the meadow. The established sites are built around the edges of the meadow for a reason. Morris Meadow. I honestly can't say enough good things about this place. The setting is so idyllic in the shoulder seasons (it can get plenty hot in the summer all the canyon) that I never tire of just sitting and looking at it, or strolling around the meadow trail where each new glimpse of the Sawtooth Ridge is a wonderful treat. Leaving Morris Meadows the trail begins to climb a now narrowing canyon, providing some beautiful views of camp sites along Stuart Fork, including the well-known Portuguese Camp. Again, please camp in established sites. If you must camp in a non-established camp for any reason please tread lightly, don't build another fire ring. Getting up the last mile or half mile to Emerald Lake can be a little tricky, but don't out-think the trail. Just keep climbing and you will reach this point where you on a mostly level trail again, just 100 yds from the shore of Emerald Lake. There is one large established site at this point in the trail, and very few other campsites from here on up. There are no fires allowed past Portuguese Camp, so if you are visiting Emerald and/or Sapphire, please consider it as part of a day hike so that this wonderful wilderness can continue to provide outdoor enjoyment for generations to come. Oh, and the best part of this trail? Now you get to see it all again in the other direction. Trust me, it such a beautiful walk back up Deer Creek Canyon, this time facing the head the whole way. And getting back up on 7 Up Pass is a beautiful feeling as you look back to where you've been and think about the journey you've taken. And it's also nice to know that it's basically downhill all the way back to the Trail Head.