Want to bag an absolutely beautiful peak in a very wild, rugged place most folks don�t know exists? Of course you do. Consider Preston Peak in the Siskiyou Wilderness of the Six Rivers National Forest in northwestern California.

Preston Peak rises dramatically above the surrounding dense forest and dominates the Siskiyou region. You�d swear this mountain is 10-12,000 feet high, but its summit is �merely� 7309�. It is an impressive chunk of rock, a long-lost granitic cousin of the Sierra range, separated eons ago by the Cascade lava flows.

For more information on approaches and routes for Preston Peak, consult pages 182-192 of �Hiking the Bigfoot Country� by John Hart. The book is a 1975 publication of the Sierra Club, San Francisco.

Routes
Author: Steve Pratt
Date: Aug 02, 2002 5:23 PM

Standard route is the NW Ridge, and is non-technical. Can be done in a single day from the trailhead. NE Ridge and North Couloir (which holds snow until late in the year) look more interesting, but unfortunately I have no information on these routes.

Geologic history
Author: cjwhat Date: July 28, 2003 2:44 PM

Actually the Siskisyou Mountians (or more properly "Klamath" mountains of which the Siskiyou Mountains are a sub-range) are an exotic terrane, which means islands were pasted onto the North American continent to form the range. The Klamath Mountains are completely unrelated to the Sierras, but are closely related to the Wallowa Mountains in NE Oregon and some islands off of British Columbia as these formations were all joined to North America near the present day Wallowa Mountains at one time, but the Klamaths and Canadian islands were then repositioned to their current locations via plate tectonics.

Getting There & Beta

The easiest way to Preston Peak is from Highway 199 to the Young�s Valley Trailhead on the west side.

Preston Peak Climbing Beta
Author: Jesus Malverde
Date: June 12, 2002 4:51 PM

Most folks who climb Preston Peak do so via the northwest ridge from Raspberry Lake. This route is an easy 3rd class scramble. Another wonderful route is from Rattlesnake Meadow, climbing the southwest ridge. Most of this route is easy 2nd class until you reach the vicinity of the lower south peak. The final quarter mile traverse to the true summit is mostly 3rd class, with one short 4th class section thrown in for excitement.

Several years ago, three of us climbed yet another fantastic route up this peak: the northeast ridge. From our base camp at a tarn below the east face of the mountain, we hiked to the ridge through snowfields and talus and then turned toward the summit, staying right along the crest. Here the route turns to 3rd and 4th class scrambling. By staying true to the crest, we encountered two short pitches of easy 5th class (5.2-5.4), with wild exposure overlooking the sheer north face of the mountain. The final couple hundred feet is an easy boulder hop to the summit. We named our route �The Spine of the Jellyfish� � don�t ask why.

There are certainly many other possible routes on this peak. I�ll bet our route up the northeast ridge can be ascended without encountering any 5th class by trending left (south) off the true crest onto innumerable ledges and ramps. And that north face looks like multi-pitch, vertical action.

There�s a fair amount of loose rock sitting on the ledges of Preston Peak (not many folks out here to clean the routes!) so shove your helmet into your backpack before you leave for the trailhead. Watch the sky too. Preston Peak is the highest thing around and summer thunderstorms can roll in quickly.

The easiest way to Preston Peak is from Highway 199 to the Young�s Valley Trailhead on the west side. The hike to Raspberry Lake or Rattlesnake Meadow can be done in one long day. We approached our base camp tarn via Cedar Crest, a spectacular ridgeline that extends south from Preston Peak to the Clear Creek. Plan on three days for this cross-country approach (highly recommended!), driving in from highway 96 along the Klamath River.

For more information on Preston Peak, consult pages 182-192 of �Hiking the Bigfoot Country� by John Hart. The book is a 1975 publication of the Sierra Club

Red Tape

Wilderness permits (or campfire permits) may be required. Check with nearest Six Rivers National Forest ranger station.
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sixrivers/recreation/siskiyou/

and
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sixrivers/contact/

When To Climb

Summer time is probably best and easiest. Though the peak could be attempted year round. Preston Peak can see heavy snowfall in the winter time and snow may linger into early summer.

Camping

Camping is allowed just about anywhere in the Siskiyou Wilderness area. This wilderness doesn't see a lot of use, but the standard Forest Service regulations surely apply.

Mountain Conditions

Your best bet is to check local weather online through www.weather.com. I have called local National Forest ranger stations and the individuals I have spoken with weren't much help with anything - especially climbing information. In fact most National Forest employees in the area probably haven't even been inside the wilderness area.

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