Don't be fooled by their relatively low elevations, the Siskiyous are a rugged range of mountains. This is especially true of the 182,802 acres Siskiyou Wilderness. Elevations range from 700 feet near the mouth of Clear Creek to 7309 on the summit of Preston Peak. The wilderness sits on three national forests namely the Six Rivers, the Rouge River-Siskiyou and the Klamath.

Siskiyou Skyline

Open meadow near El Capitan

Bear cub Mountain

El Capitain

Devils Punchbowl (by Dennis Poulin)

This is remote country, quite possibly the least visited chunk of mountains in the lower 48, but this is difficult to verify because the forest service doesn't keep track of visitation. You can walk for days here and not see a single trace of human presence besides a trail that fades in and out of the brush.

Most use is concentrated to the northwest corner of the wilderness, few of the trails found elsewhere are maintained. Off trail travel is very difficult due to thick brush and unstable slopes.

Major Peaks

Listed north to south

Lookout Mountain – 6372

Lookout Mountain

Black Butte - 6020

Polar Bear Mountain - 6360

Bear Cub – 6028

Youngs Peak- 6308

Broken Rib Mountain - 5812

Broken Rib Mountain

The Lieutenants - 6205

El Capitan - 6813

Twin Peaks - 5944

Bear Mountain - 6411

Preston Peak - 7309

Preston Peak

Jedidiah Mountain - 5760

Prescott Mountain - 5871

Stevens Mountain - 5660

Harrington Mountain - 5891

Baldy Peak - 5775

Sawtooth Mountain - 5781

Chimney Rock - 5728

View Major Peaks Map in a larger map

Geography / Geology

The Siskiyous are a part of the greater "Klamath Mountains". This name however mostly exists in guidebooks and a small selection of maps. Most Locals Know the names of the individual ranges but the collective term is largely unknown.

Rocky Knob over Youngs Valley

Many guidebooks make the claim that the Klamaths were once connected to the Sierras, only to be separated by lava flows from the nearby Cascades. Though the glaciated granite portions of the Klamaths do bare a striking resemblance to the Sierras this assertion is completely false. The Klamaths are a folded anticline that rose from the sea. As a result the geology of the area is complex and varied. Large areas of mantle rock came to the surface leading to the numerous serpentine outcrops. Most of the wilderness north of Youngs valley is composed of mantle rock.

Other types of rocks common to the area are peridoite and some granite. South of youngs valley these two rocks alternate along the crest.

Illinois River headwaters

The Siskiyous are the largest subrange by area in the Klamaths. They form two main crests, the first trending south to north from the town of Wichepec on the Klamath river to Oregon Caves National Monument. From Here the range bends and runs west to east, roughly along the California/ Oregon border until it merges with the Cascades.

Most of the north south trending crest is within the Siskiyou Wilderness. Some of the most rugged and remote territory in California can be found here. Due to its proximity to the ocean this area was hit much harder by the last ice age than the rest of the Siskiyous, making the effects of glaciation a lot more obvious.

The wilderness is home to hundreds of glacial tarns ranging in size from a small puddle to deep mountain lakes. The headwaters of several major rivers begin here in classic glacially carved U shaped canyons.

The higher ridge tops get up to 200 inches of precipitation a year. This is in sharp contrast to the 50 inches that fall on the lower eastern side. The range of precipitation coupled with the unique geology makes this area one of the most botanically diverse on the planet.

History

Long before Europeans arrived here the Yurok and Karuk tribes have considered the high country to be the center of the spiritual universe. Today local Indians still practice spiritual activities around Sawtooth Mountain. If you see any of them it is considered polite not to approach or speak to them.

Intrusive activities were generally limited due to the extremely rugged character of the land. Some mining roads were built but the higher country was never exploited like the lower surrounding hills.

In the early 80s a the forest service began a radical project, a high quality ridge top road that would link the communities of Gasquet and Orleans. Once completed the road was supposed to create a boom for both communities with increased timber revenues. The road was nicknamed the "GO road", an abbreviation for Gasquet-Orleans. As the project neared completion several groups filed lawsuits over the environmental impact of such a road. The final link of the road was never paved, and with the 1984 designation of the Siskiyou Wilderness it never will be. Today these roads on either side of the wilderness still exist and seem bizarrely out of place for this remote area.

Getting There

The Siskiyou Wilderness has 16 trailheads and over 100 miles of trails few of which are maintained on a regular basis.

Westside trailheads

Accessed via US 199

Black Butte
The only westside trailhead accessible from Oregon. High clearance vehicles are helpful for this drive

From Obrein Turn on on Waldo Road/ county road 5550. Turn off on county road 5820 and drive through the "alternative community" of Takilma. If you make it out of Takilma alive turn right on Forest route 4906. Continue on for 5 miles, eventually the route number becomes 053 and you'll come to the signed trailhead.

Youngs Valley
One of the most popular trailheads in the wilderness. The northern access to the Clear Creek National recreation trail.

From US 199 turn on Knopki Creek Road/Forest route 18N07. Continue for 17 miles to the fork with the road to Sanger Lake, turn right for another mile.

Doe Flat
By far the most popular trailhead in in the wilderness. Devils Punchbowl in particular sees a lot of use.

From 199 turn on Forest route 16 / Little Jones Creek Road. After 10 miles turn left on Forest Route 16N02. Follow this road for 3 miles.

Gunbarrel
Access to a campsite on the south fork of the Smith River.

From Little Jones Creek Road, at the junction with 16N02 head straight, this road is also numbered 16N02. Head Straight for 4 miles then turn on Route 16N18. Turn left on 15N34 for another mile.

South Kelsey
This trailhead is accessible year round due to its lower elevation

Just past Hiouchi turn on South Fork Road. Continue on until you reach the junction with forest route 15 (the Gasquet Orleans or GO road). Continue 3 miles to a marked turn off to the trailhead.

Summit Valley
Access to summit valley and a fire lookout.

Head Up the Go road for 15 miles to the signed trailhead. Park on the left

Boundary/GO Road
Climb over the berm at the westside dead end of the GO road. This is shown on maps as a trail, however this is just an old 4WD road that hasn't been maintained since the wilderness was designated.

Devils Punchbowl and Preston Peak (by Dean)

The Lieutenants

Eastside trailheads

Accessed via State Route 96

Poker Flat
Access to the remote Twin valleys.

At Happy Camp turn left on road 7C01 (The State of Jefferson Scenic Byway). Pass West Branch Campground and turn left On Forest Route 18N33.

Kelly Lake
The most popular eastside trailhead, Kelly lake is only a .5 mile hike and sees a lot of day use.

On 7C01 Turn on Route 18N30 before West Branch campground. Trailhead is 5 miles up the road.

No Mans
This trailhead is accessible year round due to its lower elevation. This is the southern access to the Clear Creek National Recreation Trail

From the community of Clear Creek turn on Route 15N35 and follow it until it dead ends.

Elbow Springs
This is the Eastern Access to the Kelsey Trail.

From Clear Creek turn on Route 15N19 and follow it for about nine miles.

Elk Valley
Access to the boundary trail, a ridge top route that hasn't been maintained in decades.

Head north on the Forest Route 15 from Orleans (this is the eastern half of the GO road). After 16 miles turn right on Route 14N03. The trailhead is three miles up the road.

Forks of Blue
True No mans Land.

Head 14 miles up the Orleans half of the GO road. Trailhead is on the left.

Camping / Regulations

Standard wilderness rules apply. If you want to camp you'll need a California campfire permit. No wilderness permits or special regulations here.

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