Gumboot Lake: Shasta-Trinity National Forest


Off the beaten path, a narrow road takes you to a mid elevation lake in Northern California…

During my Fall visit to Northern California and Southern Oregon in 2021, one of the first adventures I went on with my grandparents was the trek up to Gumboot Lake. Gumboot which at first we thought might’ve been Gunboot, is apart of the headwaters system that eventually flows into the Sacramento River.

Photography by Gregory Farrar.

If you’re familiar with the area, the drive up to Gumboot is just past the Lake Siskiyou area, off of Highway 26. There are at least two different ways up to the lake. One is more direct and on a narrow paved road, and the other is a bit more rugged for the light 4x4 trail enthusiast.

Photography by Gregory Farrar.

The lake and surrounding area offers a quiet and quick getaway with some amazing scenery. Since no motorboats are allowed on the lake, the ambience and quiet is maintained. There are campsites throughout and encompassing the lake with minimum amenities so be prepared to pack in and pack out what you may need if you elect to extend your single day trip experience.

Photography by Gregory Farrar.

There’s a light hiking trail that circles the lake from the parking area, and offers a nice 15-30 minute walk depending on how fast you wish to walk. I recommend taking your time, stopping often, and checking out the unique plant life that belongs to this Eco-system. Depending on the season, that lake will be at various levels, and the surrounding meadows will be in bloom with wildflowers and native grasses.

Photography by Gregory Farrar.

The lake is regularly re-stocked with Rainbow Trout, but native Brook Trout are also present so Gumboot Lake offers a quiet and relaxing experience for the avid fishing enthusiast. If you don’t bring a small inflatable or light canoe, you can still cast your line from the shoreline.

Photography by Gregory Farrar.

The trek up to Gumboot lake offers a great half-day experience, with plenty of thrilling driving along the narrow canyon paved road, but you could easily spend a few days here to completely decompress. There’s much to enjoy with the mountain scenery, wildlife and plant-life, and it would no doubt be a great place to star-gaze with limited light pollution. You can help keep this place serene by packing out what you pack in, staying on trails, and being kind and quiet to your fellow neighbors and the vast array of wildlife that moves through the area.

Moonrise, above the treeline. Photography by Gregory Farrar.

For more information, you can visit the USDA Forest Service listing for Gumboot, as well as this great resource from Hike Mt. Shasta.

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