Paridise Lake
Marble Mountains
The Lake
Hike along Kelsey Creek and through a long wildflower meadow to colorful Paradise Lake, where you’ll have views of uniquely shaped Kings Castle, Cayenne Ridge, and other peaks in the Marble Mountains. Kings Castle looks like a rook in a chess game.
Wildlife
Bears have been sighted at Paradise Lake.
Walking/Biking/Hiking
This short up steep trail lead hikers into the northern section of the Marble Mountain Wilderness. The lake is very small but scenic, and tucked up against the 7,405 foot peak of King's Castle. The trail to Paradise Lake connects with the Pacific Crest Trail and provides access to the rest of the Marble Mountain Wilderness that you'll want a map to explore for more than one day. A map can be bought at the Scott River Ranger Station in Fort Jones, Calif
Plant Life
Russian Wilderness offers a richness of forbs, shrubs and trees unlike anywhere else in California. The Russian Wilderness boasts a concentration of 17 conifer species in the Duck Lake Botanical Area, possibly more than anywhere else in the world. These conifers include the rare sub-alpine fir, Brewer’s or “weeping” spruce, white bark and foxtail pines.
Topo Map
Activity:HikingNearby City: Fort JonesLength: 15.2 miElevation Gain: 3,700 ftSkill Level: Moderate to strenuousDuration: 2 daysSeason: Best late June to mid-OctoberTop Elevation: 6,180 ft
Directions
Follow Highway 3 for 16 miles to Fort Jones. Turn right on Scott River Road for 14.1 miles and follow pointers for Indian Scotty Campground. Follow paved road 44N45 for 5.6 miles to a junction. Following a pointer for Paradise Lake, go straight on gravel road 44N44 for 6.9 miles to the Paradise Trailhead, staying right at a fork at the 5.5 mile mark.