Sapphire Lake (Trinity County, California) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sapphire Lake |
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 Sapphire Lake
Location in California
Sapphire Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Trinity County, California |
| Coordinates | 40°59′56″N 123°00′42″W / 40.9989°N 123.0116°W |
| Type | Glacial |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Max. length | 3,340 m (10,960 ft) |
| Max. width | 1,040 m (3,410 ft) |
| Surface elevation | 5,882 ft (1,793 m) |
Sapphire Lake is a beautiful lake found in the Trinity Alps Wilderness area in Northern California. It's known for its clear, blue water, which is how it got its name! The lake sits in a natural bowl made of granite rock. Rainwater from the mountains around it flows down and fills the lake.
Sapphire Lake is located high up in the mountains. Its surface is about 5,882 ft (1,793 m) above sea level. It is also very close to another lake called Emerald Lake. Sapphire Lake is about 300 ft (91 m) higher than Emerald Lake and sits just to its southwest.
Exploring Sapphire Lake
Sapphire Lake is part of the amazing Trinity Alps Wilderness. This is a large area of protected land where nature is kept wild. It's a great place for hiking and enjoying the outdoors.
How to Visit the Lake
If you want to see Sapphire Lake, you'll need to go on a hike! Visitors usually start by hiking along the Stuart Fork Trail. This trail takes you through beautiful forests and past streams. After passing Emerald Lake, you can continue on to reach Sapphire Lake. It's a rewarding journey for those who love adventure.
A Glacial Wonder
Sapphire Lake is a type of lake called a glacial lake. This means it was formed a very long time ago by glaciers. Glaciers are like giant, slow-moving rivers of ice. As they moved, they carved out the land, creating the granite bowl where the lake now sits. When the glaciers melted, they left behind the water that filled the lake.
