The U.S. Forest Service re-opened a remote campground in a picturesque spot in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest after closures during a kidnapping and standoff with law enforcement on July 16-17.
Gumboot Campground is open to forest vacationers, the Forest Service recently reported.
The fee-free campground sits near to Castle Crags deep in the Shasta-Trinity wilderness at a 6,050-foot altitude. It’s open to campers from the end of May or beginning of June until October — depending how long snowy weather lasts.
Online camping sites described the area as beautiful and rustic, with views of the Trinity Alps and Mt. Shasta.
The site has at least six undeveloped spaces to pitch a tent or park an RV, according to the Forest Service. Campers have access to a vault toilet, but there’s no potable water spigot so “bring your own water or purify the lake water.”
Valid California Campfire permit holders can make a campfire in one of the user-created fire rings or use and monitor a gas-contained cook stove, the Forest Service said. However, they can only use a self-contained gas cook stoves with a shut-off valve during active fire restrictions.
Day use parking is sparse. The Forest Service asked that drivers parking their vehicles leave enough room for other motorists to use the turn-around.
Trails close to Gumboot Campground
Gumboot Lake near the campground is temporarily closed, but the Forest Service reported open trails for day hikes and backpacking within 2 miles of the lake. Hikers can access trailheads to the Gumboot Lakes Basin, Mumbo Basin, Seven Lakes Basin, Cliff Lakes Basin and Gray Rocks Lakes Basin.
When open, the 7-acre lake is a fly-fishing spot for catching rainbow trout and some Brook trout. People are not allowed motorboats or other motorized vehicles on the shallow lake — it reaches a depth of 15 feet — but its waters are “easily fished from shore,” the Forest Service said.
Note to readers: If you appreciate the work we do here at the Redding Record Searchlight, please consider subscribing yourself or giving the gift of a subscription to someone you know.
Why parts of Gumboot Lake and campground closed
Law enforcement closed areas around Gumboot Lake and Gumboot Campground on July 16 after two Forest Service researchers were taken hostage by two men camping in a trailer on site.
The Forest Service staff were surveying frogs in the area when Joseph Charles Henrichsen, 49, and his son Phoenix Henrichsen, 23, allegedly abducted them and forced them into the trailer.
The FBI arrested the father and son after a 15-hour standoff at the campground.
The suspects will face charges of kidnapping two federal employees, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced. If found guilty, those crimes carry maximum penalties of life imprisonment and $250,000 fines.
Jessica Skropanic is a features reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. She covers science, arts, social issues and news stories. Follow her on Twitter @RS_JSkropanic and on Facebook. Join Jessica on Record Searchlight Facebook groups Get Out! Nor Cal, Today in Shasta County and Shaping Redding’s Future. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. Thank you.
This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Gumboot Campground reopens in Shasta-Trinity National Forest
Reporting by Jessica Skropanic, Redding Record Searchlight / Redding Record Searchlight
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jessica Skropanic, Redding Record Searchlight | USA TODAY Network
