The wildflowers in bloom in the Trinity Alps. Smoke looms in the distance from wild fires that creep closer and closer. Even though most of these mountains were 7000 feet or lower the Trinity Alps, Russian Wilderness, and Marble Mountains in Klamath National Forest were some of the most rugged mountains I have experienced. The steepness of these mountains cannot be captured with a photo as many of these peaks stand vertical like a wall and many of these mountains are made of a type of rock that erodes faster than any other which leaves questionable trail conditions from time to time. While at time these areas of wilderness were hair raising they were the most beautiful we have seen since the Sierras and for much of the time we were seemingly alone due to our new pace.