North Fork Wilderness

Located in the Six Rivers National Forest in California.

The 8,100-acre North Fork Wilderness is located within the North Fork of the Eel River watershed. The area is characterized by steep, rugged terrain. Vegetation in the area consists of south-facing slopes covered with grass, manzanita and scrub oak with some Douglas fir, ponderosa pine and incense cedar on north-facing slopes. The area provides winter range for blacktail deer. Fall hunting is quite popular within the North Fork Wilderness. The river within the wilderness has salmon and steelhead.

Access to and within the wilderness boundaries is currently very limited. From the south, travelers may approach the wilderness over county roads through Covelo or Alderpoint. County Road 520 through Kettenpom Valley will provide access through the northern and western boundaries of the wilderness. This area is a newly established wilderness and trail access is very poor. There are remnants of trails established by historic use of the area; however, since they haven't been maintained for years, the visitor should not rely upon them. This area is not recommended for novice woodspeople. Those visiting the area should be confident of their use of topographic maps and compasses. (USGS Topographic maps needed include Long Ridge, Shannon Butte and Zenia.)

For further information contact: Mad River Ranger District, Six Rivers National Forest