Siskiyou Wilderness

The Siskiyou Wilderness rises like a blue-green wall on the eastern edge of Del Norte County. The United States Congress created the Siskiyou Wilderness in 1984 and it now encompasses 152,680 acres (239 square miles) of forests, rivers, meadows and other scenic areas where adventure awaits!

Bigfoot Just Might Live Here

The Siskiyou Wilderness is one of California’s wildest and most remote lands. If Bigfoot really exists, it surely spends time in the Siskiyou. Unusual soils, great rises and drops in elevation, and plenty of water all combine to offer a refuge for literally thousands of life-forms, many of which are found nowhere else on earth. Ancient forests consist of as many as twenty species of cone-bearing trees, the second greatest conifer diversity in the world. Chinook and coho salmon and steelhead trout ply the region’s many streams, especially Blue, Dillon, and Clear creeks and the renowned South Fork Smith River.

Wilderness Trails

The Siskiyou Wilderness is crossed by many trails that offer a great way to get away from it all. Some of these paths are only an hour east of Crescent City. To get directions to these trails and to check on conditions, contact the Smith River National Recreation Area at 707-457-3131. These terrific trails include:

• Buck Lake Trail 
• South Kelsey National Recreation Trail
• Coast to Crest Trail

Buck Lake Trail

It’s an easy three-quarter mile hike to pretty Buck Lake from the parking area. Along the way, you can enjoy flowers and stately firs and pines.

Clear Creek National Recreation Trail to Young’s Valley: Visitors can walk for four miles along splashing, gurgling Clear Creek to visit charming Young’s Valley. The valley is a large meadow surrounded by ancient forest. This area makes an excellent camping or picnicking spot.

Clear Creek National Recreation Trail to Wilderness Falls: The adventurous can access this stunning, 35-foot high ribbon of water by continuing along the Clear Creek Trail for another three miles beyond Young’s Valley (see previous hike).

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South Kelsey National Recreation Trail

This historic trail once went from Crescent City east to Yreka, linking the coast to the gold fields of the interior Klamath Mountains. Portions of it remain today, including a highly scenic stretch perched above the South Fork Smith River where one can see salmon and steelhead glistening in the turquoise waters over a hundred feet below.

If you’d rather just relax and admire this spectacular area from an eagle’s perspective, you may want to rent the Bear Basin Butte Fire Lookout from the Forest Service for $75 per night. It’s available from July-September and offers toilets and beds, in addition to world-class views. For reservations, call 877-444-6777 and ask for “Bear Basin Cabin.” If you’d just like to enjoy the view, you can walk up the short road to the tower anytime the area is snow-free.

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Coast to Crest Trail

Stroll down the South Kelsey National Recreation Trail for your first taste of what is to become the Coast to Crest Trail, a project that is being undertaken by various agencies within Del Norte County. The Coast to Crest Trail will connect the historic Crescent City Harbor to the wild and rugged crest of the Siskiyou Mountains, providing a unique opportunity to follow the culturally-rich route pioneered by Native Americans and used by miners during California’s Gold Rush.

The trail will traverse the majestic forests of Redwood National and State Parks and the picturesque terrain of the Smith River National Recreation Area on its way to the Siskiyou Wilderness, where adventurous souls can follow existing trails connecting to the Pacific Crest Trail. It will include rewarding recreational and educational opportunities for all levels of hikers, walkers, cyclists, equestrians, and nature enthusiasts. Segments of the trail are already open for public use, such as the South Kelsey Trail, while others will be completed in coming years.

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