Official websites use .gov
A .gov
website belongs to an official government organization in the
United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock
(
) or https:// means you've safely
connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only
on official, secure websites.
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. PDF MAP »
At a Glance
| Permit Info: | California Campfire Permits are available free-of-charge at offices of the Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. |
|---|---|
| Open Season: | January |
| Restrictions: | Individual Use Permits are not required to enter the Wilderness areas on the Mendocino National Forest, although we suggest you sign in at the trailheads. Also check with the nearest Ranger Station before going, to obtain current information and weather conditions. Maximum group size is 25 people/25 stock animals. Wilderness travel is limited to foot or horseback - NO gliders, bicycles, motorized vehicles, or mechanized equipment of any kind are allowed within the wilderness areas. Wheelchairs are allowed. |
| Closest Towns: | Gas and Groceries available in Upper Lake, CA. Nearest Medical - East Lakeport, CA. |
| Water: | None |
| Restroom: | None |
| Operated By: | Forest Service |
| Information Center: | Upper Lake Ranger District |
General Information
General Notes: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.
Activities
Backpacking
Backpacking is the perfect way to visit some very beautiful and unique areas in remote locations of the wilderness area. Please remember to bring adequate gear and supplies, and remember to check the weather before you strike out on the trail.
General Info:
General NotesTrails in the Yuki:
Developed trails do not exist within the Yuki Wilderness at this time, providing a truly untrammeled wilderness experience. Large grassland areas south of Barley Lake and south and east of the Barnes Ranch offer popular access points into the wilderness. We recommend that when visiting the area you bring U.S. Geological Survey 7.5-minute topographic maps. The maps for Newhouse Ridge, Thatcher Ridge, Plaskett Ridge, Hull Mountain and Sanhedrin Mountain cover the Yuki Wilderness.
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.
California Backcountry Discovery Trail:
Your travels to the Yuki may take you on a portion of the California Backcountry Discovery Trail. You will notice that this route runs adjacent to the eastern edge of the Yuki Wilderness. The California Backcountry Discovery Trail is part of what will ultimately become a State-wide backcountry motorized route connecting off-highway vehicle roads from Mexico to Oregon. The Backcountry Discovery Trail system is open to equestrians, hikers, and cyclists, although the trail system was designed for off-road motor vehicle enthusiasts, with a sport utility type vehicle in mind. Backcountry Trail users may find "Discovery Points" along the way marking specific points of interest, as well as alternate trails providing more challenging experiences.
Horse Camping
Overnight camping by horseback is a great way to introduce young and old alike to the pleasures of the great outdoors.
Horse Riding
Horse riding in one of our wilderness areas...there's nothing else finer unless you toss in a glorious sunset too.