[Update]Youth Conservation Crews restore South Fork National Recreation Trail
South Fork of the Trinity River [Photo from USDA Forestry website]
For the past 15 years, the Watershed Research and Training Center’s Youth Conservation Crew (YCC) has been working with the Forest Service to restore and maintain trails in the Yolla-Bolly and Chanchelulla Wildernesses as well as a portion of the South Fork National Recreation Trail.
In addition to maintaining the 18-mile South Fork National Recreation Trail along the beautiful South Fork Trinity River, crews have continued working to improve access to the main trail from the Smokey Creek Trail, Rough Gulch Rough, Snow Gap Trail, St. Jaques Trail and Dog Gulch Trail. Funding for these YCC projects was in part from a California Off-Highway Vehicle Restoration grant.
“The solitude and remoteness of the area makes it a great place for backpackers who are looking to escape the more popular areas of the Trinity Alps” said Sally Cousins, Recreation Officer for the Trinity River Management Unit. “It’s not unusual to be the only person or group of people on the trail.”
Designated a National Recreation Trail in 1980, the South Fork National Recreation Trail borders portions of perhaps the wildest and most scenic river in Northern California, the Trinity River. Water is plentiful and there is no shortage of excellent sites for primitive camping. A free California Campfire Permit can be obtained online at http://www.preventwildfireca.
org/Campfire-Permit/ , or at the nearby ranger station, for those needing to operate a portable stove. Due to the elevated risk of wildfire conditions, fire restrictions are in effect and campfires are prohibited across many areas of the Shasta-Trinity. For current information regarding fire restrictions as well as approved campfire use areas, visit https://go.usa.gov/xVa6R. Some trails along the South Fork Trinity River to explore:
South Fork River Trail 08E18 18 miles
The trailhead and parking are located of State Highway 36 near Forest Glen. The trail starts at the cable suspension foot bridge at Scott Flat Campground** and ends at the Double Cabins site on the Wild-Mad Road, Forest Road 29N30. The trail winds along the South Fork Trinity River past old bridges, summer homes and mining claims. Mountain bikers should be prepared to portage bikes, and riders to lead their horses. Bridges, stream crossings and narrow trail are found in places. Elevation gain: 350 ft. Degree of difficulty: Moderate
**The swinging foot bridge at the Scott Flat Trailhead is temporarily closed pending maintenance. Please access the trailhead off of the 1S26 Road (call the Hayfork Ranger Station or visit this website for directions, (530) 628-5228). Do not park in front of the gate at the beginning of the trailhead.
Rough Gulch Trail (12W37) 4.2 miles
The trailhead is off Forest Road 1S23, 13.5 miles from Hwy 36. Forest Road 1S23 junctions with Hwy 36 about 7 miles west of Forest Glen. This is a steep downhill trail best suited for experienced hikers. It passes through large diameter timber stands and meadows and provides access to South Fork Recreation Trail. The Smoky Creek Trail (12W35) terminus is located across the river. Elevation loss: 1730 ft. Degree of difficulty: StrenuousSmokey Creek Trail (12W35) 4.7 miles
The trailhead is on the Bramlet Road, Forest Road 30N29, 4 miles south of Hwy 36. It provides access to Smokey Creek Basin and South Fork National Recreation Trail. Rough Gulch Trail 12W37 terminus is located across the river. Elevation loss: 1825 ft. Degree of difficulty: StrenuousTo learn more about the Hayfork Watershed Research and Training Center trail restoration efforts visit: https://thewatershedcenter.
com/ For more information about hiking the South Fork National Recreation Trail, campgrounds in the area, and information on the Yolla-Bolly and Chanchelulla Wilderness areas, call the Hayfork Ranger Station at (530) 628-5227 or visit our recreation page on our Forest website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/
recmain/stnf/recreation.
Update 8/20/19: Josh Smith of The Watershed Research and Training Center in Hayfork had the following response and information related to this press release:
I think it’s important for your readers to know that they should be extremely self-sufficient using these trails. The main South Fork River Trail is well maintained and easy to stay on, however the side trails mentioned are far less maintained. Our crew rotates the maintenance so the Rough Gulch trail for example, hasn’t been maintained for at least 5 years (we plan to work that trail next summer), while the Smoky Cr trail was worked last summer and is in decent shape.
Also, I know that the US Forest Service submitted the trail information, but some of it is incorrect and could make a big difference to people’s day hiking the trails. The Rough Gulch trail drops from an elevation of 5,960’ on South Fork Mountain to the bottom at 2,518’ (so nearly 3,500’ elevation loss, not 1,730’). The Smoky Cr trail starts at approximately 4,323’ and meets the SF Trinity River trail at 2,593’.
Join the discussion! For rules visit: https://kymkemp.com/commenting-rules
Comments system how-to: https://wpdiscuz.com/community/postid/10599/
??Good morning Kelley and thank you for the information and links, I hope these trails don’t step on anybody’s property , and who is responsible for cleaning up?
these trails DO step on personal property. Please be respectful and NO FIRES please!!!!!
What about just a little fire?
just enough fire to spark up your joint. Make sure it’s out, the roach, too. Only the best quality herb, anything less is offensive to the spirits. If you are worthy, you may get buzzed by a calliope hummingbird, the smallest hummer this side of Cuba. Carry a camp stove. Check with the forest service.
Yes, these trails do step on private property . Please be respectful and NO FIRES! Don’t let an incident happen as happened recently down Usal way.
Kids, outside? Working? A rarity nowadays. Kudos! Keep it up! I had Mother Nature as my playground when I was a kid, wouldn’t trade it for all the video games and cell phones out there. Hunt. Fish. Hike. Sleep under the stars. You will be amazed at the serenity it brings.
ditto — I grew up in the high ***** **** mountains , no neighbors , 1000 acres of redwoods , all mine , went to a 1 room school house , lived a treehouse , we did have a phone ( party line ) hahahaha — built trails on the property — many years later busted 4 drunk driving , built trails for the county park !! — great fun , the rangers loved me , happy to do it !!
??I had a tree house too spent a lot of summers with patato guns and nights under the stars, but one thing I was taught was respect for other people’s property and nature. Clean up and watch the fires is all some are asking, a little common courtesy.
about 10 years ago I visited the Rough Gulch Trail and found it to be in disrepair. The sign pointing to it was tattered and hard to see. The Rough Gulch trail became non-existent about 3 miles down so I had to make my own trail to make it to the river. Glad to see this group is going to restore it. There are huge trees along the trail with some sugar pines over 8′ diameter.