Not to be confused with Seven Lakes Basin of the Olympic Range in Washington or any other Seven Lakes Basin for that matter, this Seven Lakes basin is just a short drive and and moderate hike on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) from Mt Shasta city. The drive to Gumboot summit and the trail head is about 18 miles from Box Canyon Dam on Lake Siskiyou. Forest road 26 follows the beautiful South Fork of the Sacramento River most of the drive. As you depart the river and begin winding through the forest, you'll notice small meadows and bogs rich with wildflowers, ferns and California Pitcher Plants. A quick left shortly before the summit puts you at Gumboot Lake, staying to the right leads to the summit parking lot and trail head.

Echo Lake, Boulder Peak and Castle Crags

Upper Seven Lake and base of Mt Shasta

Seven Lakes Basin

The hike along the PCT is about 2.5 miles and offers breathtaking views in all directions, Mt Shasta can be seen on clear days the majority of the trip. The trail is mostly flat and open, following just below the ridge tops. To the west you can see Mumbo Lakes and Basin and further off the peaks of the Trinity Alps, to the north lie the Eddies. After about 2.25 miles you reach a saddle just above the basin. The PCT continues to the east and south and views of the Castle Crags, Echo Lake and Boulder peak are immediate and amazing.

At the saddle a trail leads to the south and eventually runs into a 4WD road (Yes, Seven Lakes Basin is accessible by road but who wants to ruin the fun of the hike). The road winds down to Upper Seven Lake and a short walk puts you at Lower Seven Lake. The basin consists of Upper and Lower Seven Lakes, Helen Lake, Echo Lake and three other lakes whose names I could not easily find. Like most mountain lakes these are spectacular to behold, choked with deadfall and teeming with life. Upper Seven Lake offers opportunities to fish and catch Brook and Rainbow trout , and I'm sure the other lakes do as well.

On the way out, my wife and I found a small trail that leads back to PCT, and although it was steep, it was way faster to go straight up then to follow the roads back up. Just look for a pretty well formed trail off the road at the second switchback on the way up. This hike is beautiful in the early fall when the colors are starting, just be sure to do it before the first snows or you'll be waiting until next year.