55. Sky High Lakes and Summit Lake

Length:	18 miles round trip
Hiking time:	2 to 3 days
High point:	6,700 feet
Total elevation gain:	3,200 feet
Difficulty:	moderate to strenuous
Season:	mid-June to early October
Water:	available only from lakes (purify first); have plenty on hand
Maps:	USGS 7.5' Marble Mountain, USFS Marble Mountain Wilderness
Information:	Salmon/Scott River Ranger District, Klamath National Forest

This hike boasts a lot of variety: Admire a white marble mountain, explore a big wildflower garden, swim in the attractive Sky High Lakes, and walk 5 miles along a high ridge with far-reaching views.

From Fort Jones on Highway 3, turn right on Scott River Road, then drive 13.5 miles to Indian Scotty Campground, where you turn left. For the next 5.4 miles, stay on Forest Road 44N45, then turn left onto Forest Road 43N45. Drive 1.7 miles farther to Lovers Camp, where you bear right and go 0.1 mile.

Climb gently for 0.2 mile to a dirt road, then pick up the trail proper at an information kiosk 100 yards farther. It weaves gently near Canyon Creek past dogwood, Douglas fir, sugar pine, and white alder. Go right on Canyon Creek Trail next to a large dogwood at 0.8 mile. The next 3 miles climb gently under shade above the creek. Cross a terraced tributary stream featuring a slender cascade and two tiny soaking pools at 4.2 miles, then bear left 0.1 mile farther at a trail intersection. Climb another 0.3 mile, then go left again at another trail junction.

The countryside opens into a green sloping meadow with a striking view of Marble Mountain's escarpment, which sports a vertical band of shiny white marble. The black schist protrusion on the northernmost marble rim is Black Marble Mountain.

At 5.1 miles look down on tiny, inaccessible Gate Lake, then reach Lower Sky High Lake at 6 miles, where ominous Peak 6817 towers above the lime-green waters. You'll find two campsites 200 feet from the northeast shore. Nearby Upper Sky High Lake, just to the west, is a nice side trip but has no campsites.

The trail then leads to a handful of white fir and hemlock that dot the exposed, meadowy shoreline of shallow, swimmable Frying Pan Lake. From here it climbs to the lowest saddle on the western ridge at 7.1 miles, where you bear left twice onto the Pacific Crest Trail. Over a level, 1-mile ridge walk, enjoy open views of the surrounding Marble Mountains. Reach a signed trail fork at 8.2 miles, where you head left 0.4 mile to Shadow Lake. Obtain a view of Marble Mountain just a few footsteps from the lone campsite near the east shore and consider swimming near the boulder-strewn north shore.

To continue the journey, double back, then go left on the Pacific Crest Trail. Make note of the left turn down Red Rock Valley at a four-way intersection at 8.8 miles (your return route), then go straight. The views instantly switch northward, with occasional glimpses of massive, orange-rocked Peak 7636 as you walk along the ridge.

Turn left at the double-signed junction at the gap at 10 miles. Your new trail descends toward Peak 7636 and then abruptly swings toward the Shackleford Creek basin at 10.3 miles.

Look carefully for the signed trail junction 0.3 mile farther, then head right to Summit Lake, where you'll find two campsites near the willow- and white fir-lined shore.

Retrace your steps for 2.2 miles, then turn right onto the signed Red Rock Valley Trail at 13.2 miles. The path plunges into a hemlock and Douglas fir forest to pass below a tiny lake at 13.6 miles and then crosses a tributary of Red Rock Creek.

The path stays above and west of the creek for a while and then crosses it at 15 miles. Go left at a trail fork near a campsite, then recross the creek at 15.1 miles. Depart the creek for good 0.7 mile farther, eventually crossing Canyon Creek at 17.2 miles. Bear right 100 yards farther onto Canyon Creek Trail for the last 0.8 mile to the trailhead.