The Sacramento River flows into a very full Lake Siskiyou.
As we progress into May, the temperatures and the rate of the thaw have both increased. The swiftly melting snow at the higher elevations of the Trinity Divide swell the Sacramento River and have resulted in Lake Siskiyou remaining exceedingly full for quite a while. Unlike the last several years, the area where the Sacramento flows into the lake has remained fairly stable, with no significant alterations to the landscape during periods of high water. Consequently, the Lake Siskiyou Trail is essentially the same as it was last year.
The bridges are normally installed at the left end of the image.
This then begs the question as to when the seasonal bridges over the river will be installed. This is difficult to predict, but the current rate of flow is too significant to contemplate the installation of the bridges. The bridges initially had gabions installed in the middle of the river, allowing the bridges to be placed earlier than they are now. The gabions were wiped out a few years ago when the river produced a major deluge and significantly altered the landscape. Currently, the river is wide at the most easily bridged point, so it must go down a bit before the bridges can be placed in the currently makeshift manner. The situation is exasperated by the high level of Lake Siskiyou. The impounded waters reach all the way to the point on the river where the bridges are placed, meaning that the lake may need to recede before the bridges are in position.
While it is nice have a full, beautiful river, it will be great when the loop around Lake Siskiyou is completed again. Of course, it would be nice to build a permanent bridge upstream, so the loop can be hiked all year and the more remote and beautiful stretch of the river can be enjoyed. More on that in the near future…
Click to enlarge:
