WINTER 2020 THE SISKIYOU HIKER Outdoor news from the Siskiyou backcountry SPECIAL ISSUE: 2020 Stewardship Report
Photo by: Trevor Meyer
SEASON UPDATES ALL THE TRAILS CLEARED THIS YEAR
LOOKING AHEAD CHECK OUT OUR
Laina Rose, 2020 Crew Leader PLANS FOR 2021 LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR
Winter, 2020
Dear Friends,
In this special issue of the Siskiyou Hiker, we’ve taken our annual stewardship report and wrapped it up into a periodical for your review. Like everyone, 2020 has been a tough year for us. But I hope this issue illustrates that this year was a challenge we were up for.
We had to make big changes, including a hiring freeze on interns and seasonals. My staff, board, our volun- teers, and I all had to flex into what roles needed to be filled, and far-ahead planning became almost impossi- ble.
But we were able to wrap up technical frontcountry projects in the spring, and finished work on the Briggs Creek Bridge and a long retaining wall on the multi-use Taylor Creek Trail. Then my staff planned for a smaller intern program that was stronger beyond measure. We put practices in place to keep everyone safe, and got through the year intact and in good health.
This year we had a greater impact on the lives of the young people who serve on our Wilderness Conserva- tion Corps. They completed media projects and gained technical skills. Everyone pushed themselves and we took the first real steps in realizing greater diversity throughout our organization.
And despite protocols in place to slow the spread of Covid-19, we actually grew our volunteer program. Major credit and thanks is due to my staff, our volunteer board of directors, our brave interns, our courageous volun- teers, and our committed supporters.
Your support is a bright light in an uncertain world. So thank you.
Now enjoy this special issue of the Siskiyou Hiker, and get out to pursue the bounty of your public lands.
Always Leave No Trace, and long live the backwoods trails.
Sincerely,
Gabriel Howe, Executive Director
01 | December, 2020 The places we work:
Powers CRATER Ranger District LAKE
WILD ROGUE High Cascades Ranger District WILDERNESS PROSPECT pg. 9-10 SKY LAKES WILDERNESS SHADY pg. 17-18 COVE TAYLOR CREEK 62 101 pg. 7 MERLIN
GRANTS GOLD BRIGGS CREEK PAS S BEACH pg. 7 140 Gold Beach Ranger District MEDFORD 199 KALMIOPSIS
WILDERNESS CAVE pg. 13-14 JUNCTION CASCADE-SISKIYOU OREGON CAVES KLAMATH ASHLAND NAT. M NAT. MON. ON. FALLS Wild Rivers Siskiyou Mountains Ranger District 66 BROOKINGS Oregon Caves Ranger District Visitor Center RED BUTTES WILDERNESS 199 SODA MOUNTAIN pg. 15-16 Gasquet WILDERNESS Ranger District Happy Camp pg. 19-20 Ranger District
HAPPY YREKA CRESCENT SISKIYOU CAMP CITY WILDERNESS pg. 11-12 97
96 Salmon/Scott MARBLE MOUNTAIN Ranger District WILDERNESS
101
Photo by: Trevor Meyer
Photo by: Trevor Meyer
2020 Stewardship Report | 02 A PROMISE KEPT We kept our promise to perform annual maintenance on at least one third of our 333-miles of adopted trails.
TOTAL TOTAL TOTAL VOLUNTEER 1,678 INTERN 3,000 FIELD STAFF 4,500 HOURS HOURS HOURS
TOTAL MILES TOTAL MILES MAINTAINED 113 RESTORED 17
Photo by: Nick Hodges “It was definitely a transformative experience. I learned that the best things take the most amount of work and dedication. The more time and effort you put into something, the more rewarding it will be.”
Bryson Leander 2020 Intern
BEFORE AFTER BEFORE AFTER
Upper Chetco Trail #1102, Kalmiopsis Wilderness Clay Hill Trail #1160A, Wild Rogue Wilderness 03 | December 2020 MILES MILES LAST TRAIL NAME & # AREA NOTES MAINTAINED RESTORED WORKED TANNER LAKE TRAIL May have been impacted by 2020 3 RED BUTTES Summer 2020 #1243 Slater Fire SUCKER CREEK TRAIL May have been impacted by 2020 3 RED BUTTES Spring 2020 #1237 Slater Fire BUTTE FORK TRAIL 3.75 RED BUTTES Spring 2020 Good shape #957 HORSE CAMP TRAIL 4 RED BUTTES Spring 2020 Hard to follow in the meadow #958 CAMERON MEADOWS 5 RED BUTTES Fall 2019 Minor brush above Frog Pond TRAIL #953 ROGUE RIVER TRAIL 18 WILD ROGUE Summer 2020 #1160 CLAY HILL TRAIL 4.25 WILD ROGUE Spring 2020 #1160A MULE CREEK TRAIL Minor brush/tread issues about 7 WILD ROGUE Spring 2020 #1159 halfway up DEVILS BACKBONE TRAIL 1.3 WILD ROGUE Summer 2020 #1162 LITTLE CHETCO TRAIL 3 3.5 KALMIOPSIS Summer 2020 #1121 UPPER CHETCO TRAIL Minor brush/tread issues above Box 12 KALMIOPSIS Spring 2020 #1102 Canyon Creek ILLINOIS RIVER TRAIL Some logs down and tread issues 15 KALMIOPSIS Summer 2020 #1161 throughout. Landslide at Silver Creek FLORENCE WAY TRAIL 4 KALMIOPSIS Summer 2020 #1219-A PUPPS CAMP WAY 2 KALMIOPSIS Summer 2020 #1174 SOUTH BEND MTN TRAIL Clear from Polar Spring to Pupps Bryson Leander 1 KALMIOPSIS Summer 2020 2020 Intern #1189 Camp Way junction EMILY CABIN TRAIL 2 2.5 KALMIOPSIS Summer 2020 #1129 SHORTY NOBLE WAY 1 KALMIOPSIS Spring 2020 #1185 RED MOUNTAIN TRAIL Clear from Chetco Divide to Navy 2.5 KALMIOPSIS Summer 2020 #1105 Monument Trail junction E. FORK ILLINOIS RIVER May have been impacted by 2020 4 SISKIYOU Summer 2020 TRAIL #1274 Slater Fire BLACK BUTTE TIE TRAIL May have been impacted by 2020 1.5 SISKIYOU Summer 2020 #1273 Slater Fire OSGOOD DITCH TRAIL May have been impacted by 2020 1.5 SISKIYOU Winter 2019 #1276 Slater Fire FORKS OF BLUE TRAIL Some brush and logs still remain near 7 SISKIYOU Summer 2020 #4E07 E. Fork Blue Creek MIDDLE FORK ROGUE 6 SKY LAKES Summer 2020 TRAIL #978 HALIFAX TRAIL 3 SKY LAKES Summer 2020 Good shape #1088 ALTA LAKE TRAIL 6.5 SKY LAKES Summer 2020 #979 MCKIE CAMP TRAIL Hard to follow in spots near Solace 2.75 SKY LAKES Summer 2020 #1089 Meadow
PILOT ROCK TRAIL 2 SODA MOUNTAIN Fall 2019
2020 Stewardship Report | 04 PROMISE KEEPERS
Volunteer Crews
Volunteer Program Grows Despite complexities associated with safety measures we implemented for Covid-19, 2020 was a strong year for our volunteer program. Karly White took on our volunteer programming, coordinat- ing over 1,700 hours of on-the-ground labor mostly throughout the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. “We actually had more volunteers than we did in 2019,” says White. “People were really eager to get out. So we waited until it was safe and exercised caution,” she adds. White says her program stands out because of the wide footprint we cover. A trip that she remembers fondly was in the Kalmi- opsis Wilderness over Memorial Day Photo by: Karly White Weekend. “We worked the most remote section 2017 as an intern,” she notes. “In 2017, it of the Upper Chetco Trail,” she says, • Kalmiopsis: Upper Chetco Trail hadn’t been worked for decades and pointing on the map between Taggart’s #1102, Red Mountain Trail #1105 was in complete shambles. We main- Bar and Box Canyon Creek. “It’s always • Red Buttes: Sucker Creek Trail tain trails on a three year rotation. This passed over because it’s so hard to get #1237, Cameron Meadows #953 year that rotation came up, so I got to to, and it had fallen into bad shape.” She • Sky Lakes: Halifax Trail #1088 see what three years of no maintenance and her volunteers were able to get looks like.” to it. “That was really important,” adds “In the wake of a pandemic, getting out White. Volunteers are responsible for keeping became a really important part of par- up on our maintenance promise, and ticipants’ mental health,” says Gabriel White also had the chance to work this year they completed work through- Howe. “We’re lucky that we can provide on the Halifax Trail. “That was special out our footprint. A few notable projects a safe way to be part of some meaning- for me because I opened that trail in our volunteers completed: ful service.” Field Staff of back-end administrative tasks. During the 12 week Corps program, our Trevor Meyer also started in 2017 and field staff are responsible for ground grew into a full-time position. “The level management of those crews, but bridge and wall were big projects we they continue working throughout the were able to get done with help from year to complete the most technical staff on the Wild Rivers Ranger District,” projects in our hopper. In 2020, they: he says. Meyer remembers walking across the bridge after it had burned. “It • Kalmiopsis: Rebuilt the Briggs was wet and there was hardly anything Creek Bridge to keep you from falling 20 or 30 feet. • Taylor Creek: Built a 2,000ft For the public to be able to cross the retaining wall bridge without having to worry about • Wild Rogue: Maintained the dying is an accomplishment.” Wild Rogue Loop As we look into 2021, we plan on pro- moting two seasonals into permanent Karly White started working in 2017 as positions and building permanent an intern, and grew into a permanent, career tracks for our young staff. full-time position. Now she’s in charge of outreach, volunteers, and taking care
05 | December 2020 Photo by Trevor Meyer Photo by Trevor Meyer Wilderness Conservation Corps
Corps Program: Steady and “Being away from the world allowed us Steadfast to more critically analyze what was, and is, still happening.” He says it allowed Our Corps interns receive a monthly him to get a greater depth on the situ- stipend, a scholarship, and free housing ation. “It was like a sabbatical and gave at our Gold Hill facility for their 12 week me more appreciation.” program. This was our first season having one staff member, Trevor Meyer, For intern Gabe Benson of New Jersey, dedicated entirely to the Conservation the project that sticks out most was the Corps program. Meyer rose the ranks work he did in the northern Kalmiop- from 2017 when he himself was an in- sis. That’s where Benson and his crew tern, and was able to design a program opened up an approximately 26-mile that emphasized some extracurricular loop along the Illinois River. “The Flor- achievements, including a media proj- ence Way Trail was really bad,” says ect each intern completed. View some Benson. “We’d start work at six and end of those on our website. around five,” he says. Our Conservation Corps continues to do siskiyoumountainclub.org/ the heavy lifting on major field projects. 2020internmedia Their major accomplishments include:
Interns also kept up with daily reading. • Kalmiopsis: Little Chetco Trail One of intern Owen Brodie’s favorite #1121, Emily Cabin Trail #1129, assignments was reading Black Faces Florence Way Trail #1219-A, in White Spaces. The book by Caro- Illinois River Trail #1161, Pupps lyn Finney expands on why African Camp Way #1174 Americans are so underrepresented in • Siskiyou: Forks of Blue Trail outdoor recreation and environmental- #4E07, Black Butte Tie #1273 ism. “It really connected us to what was • Wild Rogue: Rogue River Trail going on on the outside,” says Brodie. #1160
Photo by Trevor Meyer
“Our group grew into a family, and it was truly something special. After our days off, we wanted to have the group together out in the wilderness again.”
Owen Brodie 2020 Intern
2020 Stewardship Report | 06 INFRASTRUCTURE
Taylor Creek Retaining Wall Just to the north of Briggs Creek, the Taylor Creek Trail drops 12 miles, providing an awesome oppor- tunity for hikers, equestrians, and mountain bikers. About a half-mile of that trail was being supported by a retaining wall that burned in the 2018 Taylor Creek Fire. With support from the Forest Service, we purchased materials and rebuilt the wall with Alaska yellow-cedar. The Wild Rivers Ranger Dis- trict helped with ground work and coordination.
Photo by Trevor Meyer
Photo by: Trevor Meyer
Photo by: Trevor Meyer Briggs Creek Bridge At the eastern terminus of the Illinois River Trail there’s a 70-foot steel-truss bridge that spans Briggs Creek. The wooden planks burned in the 2018 Klondike Fire, creating a dead end or an impossible start for anyone who wanted to hike the trail. In May 2019, the Forest Service signed an agreement to replace the bridge. We used funds from that agreement and had ground support from staff with the Wild Rivers Ranger District to complete the project. The bridge is in great shape and will last for decades.
Photos by Haleigh Martin
07 | December 2020 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Interns: Luke & Erin Brandy Hector Avendano Dave Brennan Gabriel Benson Ruth Ann Brown Owen Brodie John Burns Alexandria Chapin Rene Casteran Eric Fung Valentin Chavez Bryson Leander Tom Doolittle Joanna & Brad Dorchuck Staff: Grant Eberly Nick Hodges Steve Eddy Gabriel Howe Chris & Peggy Ellis Trevor Meyer Anne Uzzell & Eric Ronemus Laina Rose Dave Eye Karly White Ryan & Natalie Ghelfi Board Members: Bill Gholson Dave Brennan - Chair Nils Nilsson & Grace Abbott Wenonoa Spivak - Secretary Ed Gross Ryan Ghelfi - Treasurer Allan & Sharon Gubrud Dave Eye - Director James Harper Mac Jefferson - Director Bruce & Linda Hope Peter Krasilovsky - Director Kevin & Shauna Hormann Haley Cox - Director Edward Howe Howard Hunter Agency & Nonprofit Partners: Constance Hunter Travel Southern Oregon Carol Ingelson Friends of Cascade - Siskiyou Nat. Mon. Mac & Meg Jefferson Medford Bureau of Land Mgmt. Bonnie Johnson Photo by: Trevor Meyer Rogue River - Siskiyou Nat. Forest Barbara Jones Above: Forest Service Ranger Steve DiCicco joined our field Klamath Nat. Forest Ogden & Cindra Kellogg crew on the Rogue River Trail this past summer. Six Rivers Nat. Forest Doug & Marina Kendig 2020 Volunteers: Umpqua Nat. Forest Elizabeth Landreth Scott Allison Bob Litak Goulder Family Fnd. Paula Gubrud & Lee Howe Emma Anderson Jennifer McDaniel GE Fnd. Joy & Scott Linn Aaron Babcock Steve Meyer Mckenzie River Gathering Fnd. Steve Weyer & Maria Geigel Dan Barklund Luke Nalley Oregon Community Fnd. Allen Johnson & Lynn Brandy Larry Basch Cheryl Nelson North C.O.A.S.T Forest Fnd. Christopher McGovern Zach Bever Angie Panter Jeffrey & Deanna Moore Business Sponsors: Erin Brandy Zhu Parker Richard Morris Oregon Solarworks Luke Brandy Jerry Pendzick Linda Mullens Trails & Tarmac Nik Brown Brett Rasmussen Mike & Christie Nelson Indigo Creek Outfitters Daniel Burdis Calena Reeves Tom Peil Climate City Brewing Jerit Carpenter Gary Roberts Nick Rail Recreational Equipment Inc. Nate Chotlos Chuck Smoker Luke Reuteman Ashland Food Co-op Laurie Christomos Jeff Spindler Paul Rostykus Southern Oregon Spoons Kevin Daniel Eric Spivak Wendy Seldon Northwest Nature Shop Serena Doose Sage Stowell Bill Sizemore Daybreak Racing John Engelhardt Jeff Thieret Alec Slater Golden-Fields Construction Dave Eye Rich Ugland Jeff Spindler Backcountry Press Shawn Flot Daisy Varley Eric & Wenonoa Spivak Austin Kasner: Edward Jones Adv. Bill Gray Jude Vawter Nancy Tappan Jason Vos Homes Suzie Gruber Aaron Wissler Tara Troutner Beth Gurney 2020 Major Donors: Chris Valle-Riestra Agency Field Partners: Liam Gurney Alan Armstrong Mary & Kenzin Wahl Kristin Ballard, USFS Emily Hanscom Scott Allison Judy Wright Reid Steve DiCicco, USFS Teresa Heist Kathie Bate Victoria Sturtevant Amalie Dieter, USFS Eric Isaacs Annette & Andrew Batzer Bryant Zwart Andrea Humbert, USFS Tim Bewley Rebecca Johnson Haleigh Martin, BLM Mark & Arlene Bradley George Lescher 2020 Stewardship Report | 08 WILD ROGUE WILDERNESS
Acreage: 35,221 Miles of Trail: 37.6 Miles adopted by SMC: 27.5 (percentage of total): 73%
World famous river, lesser known wild land This winter, our executive director Ga- briel Howe made his annual pilgrimage along the 40-mile Rogue River Trail. “I had expected the usual winter trail con- ditions, the fallen logs, the little land- slides,” he says. “But this was different. There were hundreds of trees down, major landslides, and long sections that were a danger to the public.” The worst damage was on the lower Forest Service section of the National Recre- ation Trail. Photo by Trevor Meyer
A winter storm had brought low-ele- and Clay Hill. Photo by Trevor Meyer vation snow to the area, loading trees The Gold Beach Ranger District with significant weight from snow. Many was able to log out the rest of the trees fell over, leaving one of the Rogue trail by August. As popularity of River-Siskiyou National Forest’s most- the Rogue River Trail swelled in used trails defunct. the wake of the pandemic, unad- “We had no fiscal support for work in dressed landslides were a growing the Wild Rogue Wilderness from the issue and the Forest Service didn’t Forest Service, but I could see the trail have the capacity to address it was going to have to be closed if we alone. So the Club dispatched our didn’t get in there early,” Howe says. So Conservation Corps to the river for in early March, Howe organized a team an eight-day hitch. of volunteers including retired field di- “The Gold Beach Ranger District rector Aaron Babcock, who is an expert provided raft support for the trip,” sawyer. says Howe. “That allowed our Babcock recruited a couple of boaters intern crew to camp in style and to provide raft support and spent five focus on the hard work. It also cost days running a power saw on the lower us about $10,000,” he adds. “Ten river. He was joined by a staff member grand that we won’t get back.” from the Willamette National Forest, He says the Club will not provide Wayne Chevalier, as well as retired SMC more support on the Rogue River Board Chair Angie Panter. The crew of Trail without fiscal support from all-volunteers worked four days on the the Forest Service. “We took a worst section of the trail between Marial huge financial hit this year on the Rogue Trail. We can’t keep doing 09 | December 2020 that.” LEGEND T H TRAILHEAD WILD ROGUE TRAIL TRAIL MAINTAINED IN 2020 WILDERNESS
MT. est. 1978 BOLIVAR
T H 1259
PANTHER T RIDGE H
1159
T TUCKER H FLAT
1253
1160
CLAY T HILL H PANTHER T 1160
RIDGE H 1160-A 1162
er iv R 1160 e gu Ro
FOSTER T BAR H
2020 Stewardship Report | 10 SISKIYOU WILDERNESS
Acreage: 179,867 Photo by Luke Brandy Miles of Trail: 119 Miles adopted by SMC: 100 (percentage of total): 84%
Matterhorn summits and old-growth forests The arteries of Clear Creek and the South Fork Smith River start from ridge systems that hover around 5,000 - 6,000 feet. Large meadows, like the popular Young’s Valley, catch 60+ inches of rain per year, feeding those drainages where ancient old- growth forests have remained intact. We were able to open the defunct Forks of Blue River Trail in 2020 with fiscal support from both the Six Rivers and Klamath National Forests. The trail was heavily brushed in and choked to death with 100s of downed logs. It’s now in good shape and ready for boots and horse hooves. Working the Forks of Blue represented our largest restoration undertaking this year. “I’m really glad you guys got to that,” says Aaron Babcock, the Club’s previous Field Director who still volunteers with us. We had plans to go into the Clear Creek Trail in September with a small team of staff to take out gargantuan logs on the trail there. But those plans were pushed back by the Slater Fire.
Photos by Trevor Meyer 11 | December 2020 T E. FORK OR OR H ILLINOIS CA LEGEND CA OSGOOD T H T DITCH H TRAILHEAD T CRAZY 1274 H PEAK TRAIL
199 TRAIL MAINTAINED IN 2020 T POKER H FLAT SANGER T CREEK H 1271 5233
1272 T KELLY H LAKE
T H 5232 YOUNGS VALLEY
5230
5227 HAPPY CAMP Devil’s RANGER DISTRICT DOE T Punchbowl
FLAT H
C C
l l
e e
a a
r r
C reek 5223 T NO H MAN’S
5224
4E06 Fork S S. m
i t h R T ELBOW iv H e SPRINGS r SOUTH T H
KELSEY 4E06 4E50
96 3E07
T H ELK SUMMIT T VALLEY VALLEY H
T FORKS OF H THE BLUE SISKIYOU
4E07 WILDERNESS
T E. FORK est. 1984 H BLUE CREEK
2020 Stewardship Report | 12 KALMIOPSIS WILDERNESS
Acreage: 180,102 While the area continues to lose its though the west end requires more conifer forest habitat to increasingly Miles of Trail: 185 work, and restored the Florence Way rapid fire cycles, the area has retained Trail. Work on the Florence Trail opened Miles adopted by SMC: 155 its most redeeming qualities for those up a loop that had been impassable (percentage of total): 84% willing to scratch below the surface: for over a decade. The Illinois River Trail pristine creeks and clear rivers, highly Area: will continue to require annual mainte- diverse vegetation, stark beauty, and Rogue River - Siskiyou Nat. Forest nance. unmatched opportunities for solitude. Rugged wonderland of solitude The Kalmiopsis is a refuge of isolation, We also moved forward with major a mecca for those seeking an advanced restoration work in the Little Chetco As fire continues to shape this mysteri- wilderness experience, and a hard re- area and started work into Madstone ous, rugged landscape, the Kalmiopsis minder that nature cannot be tamed. Cabin. In 2021, much of the work will be Wilderness seems to get only wilder, concentrated to the area’s west side broader, and less forgiving. But we have Much of our work there this year was where the Klondike and Chetco Bar matched the area’s volatile conditions cyclical, but what stands out is our res- fires opened up canopy for the sun to with an equal amount of commitment, toration work on the area’s north end. reach brush that grows rapidly in fertile and continue to get ahead in the Kalmi- We kept the 28-mile arterial Illinois Riv- soils typical of the coast. opsis. er National Recreation Trail maintained,
Photo by Trevor Meyer
Photos by Karly White 13 | December 2020 OAK T FLAT H KALMIOPSIS
1161 WILDERNESS 1169 est. 1964
GAME T 1182 LAKE H 1174 1219-A I ll in ois Riv er 1161
T BRIGGS H CREEK
Tincup Cr 1124
eek
1117 1117
T CHETCO 1102 Chetco R H iv PASS T e TINCUP r H 1102
QUAIL T PRAIRIE H
T BABYFOOT 1109 H LAKE
1110
VULCAN T LAKE H
T 1121 CHETCO H DIVIDE
1210
1124
1105
RED T MOUNTAIN H
199 LEGEND T BUCKSKIN T H PEAK H TRAILHEAD
TRAIL
TRAIL MAINTAINED IN 2020 N. FORK T SMITH H
2020 Stewardship Report | 14 RED BUTTES WILDERNESS
Acreage: 20,133 Miles of Trail: 60 Miles adopted by SMC: 48.5 (percentage of total): 81% Area: Rogue River - Siskiyou Nat. Forest Klamath Nat. Forest Pacific Crest connection to the Oregon Caves Small in size, but grand in stature, the Red Buttes Wilderness rises from the Applegate and Klamath valleys to the Siskiyou Crest where 6,000-foot peaks punctuate ridgelines that connect the Pacific Crest Trail to the Oregon Caves National Monument. Rich old-growth forests lead to expansive meadows peppered by larger-than-life cedars and dreamy lake basins. While initial reports are out from the 2020 Devil’s Fire that swept through the area, it will take until next spring to real- ly gauge the extent of the damage. But we’ll be there to restore what needs to be done with support from our partners at the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Photo by Amalie Dieter Forest.
Photos by Karly White 15 | December 2020 LEGEND T H TRAILHEAD OREGON CAVES VISITOR CENTER TRAIL
TRAIL MAINTAINED IN 2020 PACIFC CREST TRAIL
T STURGIS OREGON CAVES H FORK NATIONAL MONUMENT RED BUTTES WILDERNESS
1207 T GREEN SUCKER H VALLEY est. 1984 T CREEK H
TANNER 1237 LAKE 1243 T H 1231
T FIR OR 1207 H OR 955 GLADE CA T 906 H T FROG CA H BOUNDARY POND TRAIL 905
954 T CAMERON H MEADOWS HORSE CAMP T MIDDLE T H H 953 FORK T H SHOOFLY
958
957
5254
2000
2020 Stewardship Report | 16 SKY LAKES WILDERNESS
Wolves, volcanoes, and alpine good shape. Acreage: 113,687 summits Much of the loop was in heavy timber Miles of Trail: 214 The Sky Lakes Wilderness is Siskiyou that burned in the 2008 Middle Fork Miles adopted by SMC: 32.5 Mountain Club’s claim to the Cascades. Fire, presenting a sustained challenge. (percentage of total): 15% Our crews started working in the Sky As brush grows and dead timber falls, it takes annual maintenance to keep Area: Lakes in 2016 to reopen the 27-mile routes like this open until most of the Rogue River - Siskiyou Nat. Forest Wolf Loop that had disappeared by timber is down and the brush is shaded Fremont - Winema Nat. Forest the time we reached it. But by the end of 2017, we had the route open and in out. Middle Fork Trail #978
Photo by Trevor Meyer Photo by Nick Hodges
BEFORE AFTER
17 | December 2020 RED 1090 LEGEND T BLANKET H T 1091 2000 62 H TRAILHEAD
TRAIL
TRAIL MAINTAINED IN 2020
TOM & T PACIFC CREST TRAIL JERRY H 1084
MIDDLE T FORK H 978 1089 1088 SEVENMILE MARSH LAKE T H 979 T ALTA H SKY LAKES SEVEN
980 LAKES
994 BASIN WILDERNESS SEVEN T LAKES H est. 1984 981
3707 T NANNIE H CREEK
3762 3708 T CHERRY H CREEK SOUTH T FORK H SKY LAKES 988 AREA
3709 2000
T COLD 987 H SPRINGS
SADDLE T 976 CAMP H
982
SOUTH BLUE LAKES
TWIN T PONDS H 993 3759
T FOURMILE H LAKE 2000 140 3716
T MT. H MCLOUGHLIN
2020 Stewardship Report | 18 SODA MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS
Acreage: 24,707 Photo by: Amalie Dieter Miles of Trail: 25 Miles adopted by SMC: 18 (percentage of total): 72% Area: Medford Bureau of Land Management
Heart of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument Just minutes from the bustling streets of Ashland, OR, the Soda Mountain Wil- derness is a refuge where time slows down, endemic species flourish, and three ecosystems collide. With over 25 miles of trails, including access to the famous Pacific Crest Trail, this wilder- ness designated in 2009 is ideal for beginners and experts alike. In 2020, our work was localized to the Lone Pilot Trail, but moving forward we have a new agreement with the Bureau of Land Management that will open up new stewardship opportunities for the community to participate in.
Photo by: Peter Krasilovsky
Photo by: Nate Chotlos
19 | December 2020 140 Fish Lake
2000
Lake of the Woods
CASCADE - SISKIYOU NATIONAL MONUMENT GRIZZLY T H PEAK
2000
Howard Prairie Lake
Hyatt Lake
Emigrant Lake
66 T H GREENSPRINGS LOOP SODA MOUNTAIN
66 HOBART WILDERNESS T BLUFF H est. 2009
2000 BOCCARD T POINT H PILOT ROCK T H
Lone Pilot Loop
Copco Lake
LEGEND Irongate Lake T H TRAILHEAD
TRAIL
TRAIL MAINTAINED IN 2020 PACIFC CREST TRAIL
2020 Stewardship Report | 20 Photo by: Eric Isaacs
MARCHING FORWARD
It’s been a tough year for everyone, well as issues for the Kalmiopsis on continued access to the 333- but we made good moves in 2020 to and Siskiyou wilderness areas. mile footprint we’ve adopted. strengthen our staff’s positions and • Extensive work in the Cascade-Sis- • More introductory and training of- build longevity. Once focused on kiyou National Monument. We are ferings. You can expect more trips seasonal expansions of labor, we’re working with the Bureau of Land for new and novice trip participants. working harder to create continuity and Management to build a stewardship We’re designing trips that appeal to careers for our core team. That includ- program that integrates community more people with little or no experi- ed adding a retirement plan and health involvement to maintain this nation- ence in the backcountry. insurance to our benefits package, and al treasure. hourly staff enjoy a favorable housing agreement at our Gold Hill facility. • Work in the Rogue-Umpqua Divide As we look ahead, we hope 2021 comes Wilderness. We landed a small with some relief. But nonetheless, we So as we step into 2021, we’re more grant with the Umpqua National focused on creating lasting positions for don’t expect that, and we’re still ready Forest to restore gaps in the trail for whatever challenges lie ahead. our most talented and committed staff system there. members, and less focused on creating Get out there and enjoy. Plan a trip for seasonal explosions of growth. That • Siskiyou Wilderness Area. This year next year, and always Leave No Trace. way we can grow our leadership slowly, we had major work planned that Thank you for your support, and long surely, and maintain the outstanding was averted by late-season fire ac- live the backwoods trails. quality we’ve built a reputation on. tivity. Plan to see us on Clear Creek and its extensions in 2021. Things to look forward to in 2021: • Continued maintenance on our Sincerely, • Expansion of our map offerings. existing footprint. Those loops and The SMC Team We are making updates to current those arteries we’ve rebuilt aren’t maps, and adding visitor maps as going anywhere and you can count 21 | December 2020 FINANCE & DEVELOPMENT
Financials for 10/01/2019 - 9/30/2020
REVENUE PERCENTAGE OF REVENUE TYPE DOLLAR AMOUNT TOTAL
Business Support $ 10,108 3%
Foundation Support $ 52,332 17%
Government $ 101,101 33%
Individual Donations $ 120,293 40%
Map Sales $ 20,440 7%
Total Revenue $ 304,274
EXPENSES PERCENTAGE OF EXPENSE TYPE DOLLAR AMOUNT TOTAL
Administrative $ 41,758 14%
Fundraising $ 27,414 9%
Program $ 229,344 77%
Total Expenditures $ 298,517
2020 Stewardship Report | 22 Left to right: Trevor Meyer, Laina Rose, Nick Hodges, Bryson Leander, Alexandria Chapin, Gabriel Benson, Eric Fung, Owen Brodie, Hector Avendano
Photo by: Trevor Meyer
OUR MISSION
The Siskiyou Mountain Club is a 501(c)(3) public charity that formed to restore, maintain, and promote primitive trails in the Siskiyou backcountry and to provide outdoor service opportunities for the public. We coordinate stewardship projects, lead outdoor adven- tures, and publish useful information for the public.
Want to discuss plans for CONTACT US: charitable giving? email: [email protected] phone: 541.708.2056 All contributions are tax deductible under Internal Reve- mail: PO Box 3566, Ashland, OR 97520 nue Service tax code. Our tax-id number is 27-3418419 web: siskiyoumountainclub.org
Siskiyou Mountain Club -- Est. 2010 --