Yuki Wilderness

The 53,887 acre Yuki Wilderness was established in 2006 by Public Law 109-362, the Northern California Coastal Wild Heritage Wilderness Act. The area has been described as a rugged land containing steep canyons with long, gentle ridges in between. It was named in honor of the Yuki Tribe, who once called this area home. Management of the area is shared between the Mendocino National Forest and the Bureau of Land Management, Arcata Field Office.

The Yuki Wilderness ranges in elevation from almost 6,500 feet near Windy Gap in the southeast to roughly 1,150 feet along the Middle Fork Eel River. When visiting the Yuki you will experience a wide variety of vegetation, including grasslands, chaparral thickets, oak groves and forests of Shasta red fir, white fir, Jeffrey pine, sugar pine, ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir and incense cedar. Six of California's fifteen species of oaks are found within the Yuki Wilderness.

If you visit during the spring months the Yuki will delight you with its spectacular wildflower displays! The Middle Fork Eel Wild and Scenic River flows through the northwestern portion of the Yuki Wilderness, and is home to rainbow trout, and threatened runs of steelhead and Chinook salmon. It is estimated that the river supports over one-third of California's remaining summer-run steelhead trout population. In addition, many interesting animals call the area home, including bald eagle, pine marten, goshawk, northern spotted owl, prairie falcon, river otter, beaver, tule elk, mountain lion, black bear, porcupine, ringtail, gray fox, badger, golden eagle, blue grouse and pileated woodpecker.

Water

Good drinking water is scarce in the Yuki Wilderness. Although streams may look inviting and harmless, they may not be safe for drinking. Many of the area’s waters contain Giardia lambia, a microscopic organism which when ingested can cause nausea, abdominal cramps, flatulence, lethargy, diarrhea, and weight loss. Giardia can be readily transmitted between humans and animals. Feces (human or animal waste) can contain the disease; waste should be buried 6 to 8 inches deep and at least 100 feet away from natural waters.

Treat all water for drinking and cooking by either processing through a portable water filter or by boiling over a portable cook stove for 3 to 5 minutes.

Additional Information

Poison oak is commonly found throughout the Yuki Wilderness. Contact with this plant at any time of year may cause an itchy, painful rash. Contact with this plant, or with animals that may have brushed against this plant, should be avoided.

Rattlesnakes are also common in the area. If bitten, remain calm, immobilize the bitten extremity, and send someone to get medical assistance. If alone, walk slowly, resting periodically, and using a makeshift crutch if a lower extremity is involved. Keep activity to a minimum.

Ticks carrying Lyme disease commonly inhabit lower elevation brush fields. Be sure to check for ticks and remove any imbedded ticks immediately.

Wilderness permits are not required, however, a campfire permit is required. Campfire permits can be picked up at any Forest Service office at no charge.

If You Get Lost or Injured

If you get lost, stay calm and try to remember how you got to your present location. Look for familiar landmarks, trails, or streams. If you are injured, near exhaustion, or it's dark, stay where you are; someone may be looking for you. If you decide to go on, do it slowly. Try to find a high point with a good view and then plan your route of travel. When you find a trail, stay on it. If you stay lost, follow a drainage downstream. If a person in your party gets injured, treat the injury if you can and make the victim comfortable. Send or signal for help. If you must go for help, leave one person with the injured and do not move until help arrives unless there is more danger in remaining where you are.