Backpacking

Backpacking Areas

• Lower Trinity Ranger District

  The Lower Trinity Ranger District is bisected by State Highway 299, the main travel route in Northwestern California to reach the Northcoast. Willow Creek is Approximately 100 miles west of Redding and 45 miles east of Eureka/Arcata. At one time, a major timber producing area, Willow Creek no longer supports a major manufacturing industry. Willow Creek however, is a recreation destination for sport fishing, including salmon and steelhead, kayakers, and river rafters who heavily use the Main Stem and South Fork of the Trinity River most of the year. The area is also famous for Bigfoot, achieving notoriety through the years as a hub for sightings. Hunting also is a big draw to the area with large deer and bear populations.

• Trails (Lower Trinity)

  WARNING: Due to high snow pack and rapid melting, creeks may be higher than usual and difficult or impossible to cross in the Spring and early Summer. USE EXTREME CAUTION!

  It is not possible for us to visit all trails on a frequent basis. We often must rely on reports from the public concerning current trail conditions. If you visit any trails on the forest and note conditions different from what is listed here, we invite and welcome you to report what you observe to our recreation and wilderness program manager, Bryson Code, at brysonhcode@fs.fed.us.

• Bell Swamps Trail (#6E20)
• Board Camp Trail (#4E27)
• Bremer Ridge Trail (#5E38)
• Bug Creek Trail (#4E26)
• Calf Swag Trail (#6E15)
• Crogan Basin Trail (#6E16)
• Crogan Hole Trail (#6E74)
• Graveyard Prairie Trail (#6E31)
• Horse Trail Ridge Trail (#6E08)
• Ladder Rock Trail (#6E22)
• Lone Pine Trail (#6E36)
• One Mile Trail (#6E17)
• Oregon Creek Trail (#6E29)
• Red Cap Hole Trail (#6E14)
• South Fork Trinity (North Side) Trail (#6E23.2)
• South Fork Trinity (South Side) Trail (#6E23.1)
• Tish Tang Trail (#6E18)
• Wallace Camp-Forks Camp Trail (#4E28)
• Mad River Ranger District

  The Mad River Ranger District is located on Highway 36 approximately 50 miles east of Highway 101 and the Eureka/Arcata area and 100 miles west of Interstate 5 and the cities of Redding and Red Bluff. Traveling south for 20-30 miles on county roads brings you to the communities of Ruth and Zenia.

  The Mad River Ranger Station is at an elevation of 2550 feet. The remainder of the district varies from 2000 to 6000 feet.

  The climate is characterized by warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Average precipitation in the area is 60" with the majority of the moisture falling between October and April. Snow is uncommon at elevations under 3000' but many areas on the district receive substantial snowfall.

• Mount Lassic Wilderness
• Trails (Mad River)

  There are a variety of trails in the Mad River District that are sure to appeal to everyone. One very popular trail is the Discovery Trail. The Discovery Trail is primarily open to street legal vehicles and makes for a great weekend activity.

  It is not possible for us to visit all trails on a frequent basis. We often must rely on reports from the public concerning current trail conditions. If you visit any trails on the forest and note conditions different from what is listed here, we invite and welcome you to report what you observe to our recreation and wilderness program manager, Bryson Code, at brysonhcode@fs.fed.us.

• Blue Jay Mine Trail (#12W12)
• Boundary Trail (#12W03)
• Bradburn Trail (#7E04)
• Clover Gulch Trail (#12W14)
• Dan East Trail (#5E14)
• Hayfork Trail (#8E01)
• Packwood Flat Trail (#8E03)
• Picket Peak Trail (#7E33)
• Rattlesnake Trail (#5E24)
• Red Mountain Trail (#12W13)
• Skull Camp Trail (#5E21)
• Swim Trail (#12W08)
• Orleans Ranger District

  The District is one of four on the Six Rivers National Forest, encompassing approximately 500,000 acres. Located about 30 miles from the Northern Coast of California and subsequently under a coastal influence that produces a long summer season.

• Trails (Orleans)

  The Orleans District has twenty documented trails to choose from. Trails destinations range from the scenic beauty of the Siskiyou Wilderness high country to short fishing trails leading to one of the many river access points in the Orleans District.

  It is not possible for us to visit all trails on a frequent basis. We often must rely on reports from the public concerning current trail conditions. If you visit any trails on the forest and note conditions different from what is listed here, we invite and welcome you to report what you observe to our recreation and wilderness program manager, Bryson Code, at brysonhcode@fs.fed.us.

• Boundary Trail (Orleans) (#4E50)
• Camp Creek Trail (#5E04)
• East Fork Blue Creek Trail (#4E09)
• Forks of Blue Trail (#4E07)
• Orleans Mountain Trail (#6E04)
• Prospect Hill Trail (#6E02)
• Red Mountain Lake Trail (#4E55)
• Salmon Summit Trail (#6E03)
• Smith River National Recreation Area

  Recreational activities abound in the Smith River National Recreation Area or NRA. The beautiful Smith River offers fishing for steelhead, trout, and salmon. During the summer months, the pure, clean waters of the Smith River are perfect for swimming, rafting, or fishing and the forested mountainsides present occasions for hiking, bird watching, wildflower walks, or perhaps just lounging in the sun.

  Winter temperatures drop into the 40s and 50s, with an occasional snow storm. The rainy season normally runs from October through April with an average annual rainfall of 92.55 inches. Summers are dry with highs in the 80-100°F degree range. Contact the NRA Headquarters at the Gasquet Ranger Station for current weather conditions.

  • Smith River NRA Map & Guide, rev. 1/2019 – PDF
  • Companion Map to the Smith River NRA Map & Guide, rev. 1/2019 – PDF
  • Camping Guide - Smith River NRA, rev. 4/2015 – PDF
  • Campsite Spur Dimensions - Smith River NRA, rev. 1/2015 – PDF
  • Trail Guide - Smith River NRA, rev. 2-2002 – PDF
  • River Access Trails - Smith River NRA, rev. 8/2014 – PDF
  • River Access Trails - Smith River NRA, rev. 8/2014 – Word
  • Lakes - Smith River NRA, rev. 3/2003 – PDF
  • Things to Do in an Hour or Two - Smith River NRA, rev. 2/2003 – PDF
  • Darlingtonia Trail - Smith River NRA, rev. 3/2003 – PDF
  • Myrtle Creek Trail - Smith River NRA, rev. 2/2000 – PDF
  • Bear Basin Lookout and Pierson Cabin Brochure, rev. 2/2015 – PDF
  • Fish of the Smith River, rev. 12/2002 – PDF

   

   

• Doe Flat Trailhead
• Siskiyou Wilderness
• Trails (Smith River NRA)

  There are a wide variety of trails in the Smith River National Recreation Area that range from Siskiyou Wilderness trails to the botanical beauty of the Myrtle Creek and Darlingtonia interpretive trails where visitors can view a variety of rare and endangered plants and wildflowers. There are also quite a few short trails (under four miles) that offer scenic views of the Smith River National Recreation Area.

  It is not possible for us to visit all trails on a frequent basis. We often must rely on reports from the public concerning current trail conditions. If you visit any trails on the forest and note conditions different from what is listed here, we invite and welcome you to report what you observe to our recreation and wilderness program manager, Bryson Code, at bryson.code@usda.gov.

  Trail Guide - Smith River NRA, rev. 2-2002 - PDF

• Bear Wallow Trail (#4E20)
• Boundary Trail (Smith River NRA) (#4E50)
• Craig’s Creek Trail (#1E02)
• Devil's Punchbowl Trail
• Doe Flat Trail (#4E04)
• Elk Camp Ridge (#2E04)
• French Hill Trail (#2E25)
• Gordon Gorge Trail (#2E05)
• High Dome Trail (#3E02)
• Island Lake Trail (#4E05)
• Little Bald Hills Trail (#1E03)
• McClendon Ford Trail (#3E03)
• Old South Kelsey (Historic Kelsey) Trail (#2E23)
• South Kelsey Trail (#4E06)
• Ukonom Ranger District

  The Ukonom Ranger District, while within the geographic boundary of the Klamath National Forest, has been administered by the Six Rivers National Forest since September 1999. This was done through an agreement between the two national forests and approved by the Region 5 Regional Forester. The Ukonom Ranger District shows on both the Six Rivers and Klamath national forest maps. The Marble Mountain Wilderness is within the Ukonom Ranger District.

• Marble Mountains Wilderness Area

  The Marble Mountain Wilderness is one of California’s oldest formally designated wilderness areas. Originally established in 1931 as the Marble Mountain Primitive Area, it later became one of the original wilderness areas established by the Wilderness Act of 1964. It contains over a quarter of a million acres of rugged mountainous terrain, diverse vegetation and picturesque high elevation lakes and streams. It was named for Marble Mountain, a monolith of white limestone standing 6,880 feet above sea level. Boulder Peak at 8,229 feet is the highest point in the wilderness and the mouth of Wooley Creek at the wilderness boundary is the lowest point at 640 feet.

• Stanshaw Equestrian Camp & Trailhead
• Trails (Ukonom Ranger District)

  Although the Ukonom District is on the Klamath National Forest, it is administered by the Six Rivers National Forest. Many of the trails on this district are in the heart of the Marble Mountain Wilderness.

  It is not possible for us to visit all trails on a frequent basis. We often must rely on reports from the public concerning current trail conditions. If you visit any trails on the forest and note conditions different from what is listed here, we invite and welcome you to report what you observe to our recreation and wilderness program manager, Bryson Code, at brysonhcode@fs.fed.us.

• Bridge Creek Trail (#5816)
• Cuddihy Lakes Trail (#5825)
• Halfmoon Meadow Trail (#5818)
• Haypress Trail (#5828)
• Let’er Buck Trail (#5821)
• McCash Loop (#5823)
• Medicine Mountain Trail (#5820 or 7E11)
• Meteor Lake Trail (#5830)
• Monument Lake Trail (#5831)
• Onemile Lake Trail (#5814)
• Pleasant Lake Trail (#5820 or 7E08A)
• Portuguese Peak Trail (#5822)
• Secret Lake Trail (#5829)
• Somes Mountain Trail (#6E05)
• Stanshaw Trail (#5819)
• Ten Bear Trail (#5802)
• Torgerson Meadow Trail (#5827)
• Wooley Creek Trail (#5832)