Siskiyou Wilderness: Rogue River-Siskiyou NF

The United States Congress designated the Siskiyou Wilderness in 1984 and it now maintains a total of 182,628 acres. Siskiyou Wilderness is located in the highest portion of the Siskiyou Mountains in Northern California and is shared by three National Forests: Klamath, Six Rivers and Rogue River-Siskiyou.

The territory is characterized by forested ridges and high craggy peaks with lower slopes densely covered with brush. Patches of snow often linger year round on the steep northern faces of the highest peaks. The area contains fragile mountain meadows, open glades, shallow lakes, and the Wild and Scenic South Fork of the Smith River, which forms a large portion of the western boundary. Clear Creek and the headwaters of the East Fork of the Illinois River flow perennially through the Wilderness. Summer populations of steelhead attract anglers.

The region is noted for its great diversity of plant life, and includes one of the world's largest concentrations of lily species and perhaps as many as 20 species of conifers. Here grows the rare Brewers spruce known as the "weeping" spruce. Forage is limited, and stock users are advised to carry weed-free feed. Summers are usually very warm, but cold can strike any night of the year and severe storms are common year-round.

The Clear Creek National Recreation Trail crosses 20.5 miles of the northern portion and provides access to some of the more scenic parts of the Wilderness. Human use is light and concentrated on the trails that lead to lakes. Much of the area lacks trails and is difficult to access cross country because of the dense brush.

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