Smith River National Recreation Area

French Hill Trail

Length: 2.8 miles
Difficulty: Moderate/steep
Trailhead elevation: 400'
Trail end elevation: 2,000'
Driving time: 0 minutes lower-15 minutes upper

#2E25 This historic pack trail was built to transport supplies from the Gasquet Ranger Station to construct Fire Lookouts 6, 7, and 8. Enjoy occasional vistas along a shaded walk in a garden-like setting.

Trailhead Access: Park at the NRA Visitor Center; trailhead is slightly east of the office, across Highway 199. Shuttle: 2.2 miles west of Ranger Station take. French Hill Road (mile marker 12.23) for 4.48 miles. Trailhead is on the left.

Stoney Creek Trail

Length: 0.5 mile
Difficulty: Moderate
Trailhead elevation: 450'
Trail end elevation: 400'
Driving time: 10 minutes

#2E19 This shaded trail parallels the North Fork of the Smith River and ends at the Stoney Creek confluence. The trail provides access two excellent fishing holes and views of the river.

Trailhead Access: Travel 0.1 mile west on Hwy, turn right at Middle Fork Rd. Continue right at intersection with Gasquet Flat Rd, cross bridge and stay left past Azalea Lane (North Fork Rd). Stay left at Gasquet Toll Rd intersection and continue on 0.8 mile to Stoney Creek Trail sign; turn right at sign. Trailhead is on the right 1 mile from corner. One parking space is located just past the trailhead on-the right. The trailhead is in a residential area. Please be respectful of private property by following the designated trail and parking off the road.

Myrtle Creek Trail

Length: 1 mile
Difficulty: Easy
Trailhead elevation: 200'
Trail end elevation: 300'
Driving time: 15 minutes

#1E01 This trail follows a historic mining flume, and spotlights the mining, cultural, and geologic history of Myrtle Creek, where more than 100 years ago miner Jim Slinkard found a 47-ounce gold nugget the size and shape of an axe! Today's treasures include wildflowers and unusual plants such as Darlingtonia and many fern species.

Trailhead Access: Travel west 7.3 miles on Hwy 199. Turn onto the left pulloff just past the Myrtle Creek Bridge. Trailhead is on the opposite side of highway. Be careful when crossing Hwy 199!

Craig's Creek Trail

Length: 3.7 miles
Diffculty: Moderate
Trailhead elevation: 200'
Trail end elevation: 200'
Driving time: 15 minutes

#1E02 Miners and pack animals followed this trail in the late 1800s. As you climb to vista points high above the South Fork of the Smith River, notice the dramatic changes in vegetation. The trail ends at the confluence of Craig's Creek and South Fork.

Trailhead Access: Travel west 7.2 miles on Hwy 199 to junction with South Fork Rd. Turn left onto South Fork Rd and follow the sign to river access. Park in the river access area. Walk back to South Fork Rd, crossing it to the access trail above the George Tryon Bridge. Cross this road carefully!

Elk Camp Ridge Trail

Length: 8.2 miles
Diffculty: Moderate to Steep (2,500' climb)
Lower Trailhead elevation: 2,100'
Upper Trailhead elevation: 3,400'
Driving time: 20 minutes lower; 45 minutes upper

#2E04 Originally a pack train trail between Crescent City and gold mines in the Illinois Valley in Oregon, this scenic trail presents panoramic views of high mountain peaks, the ocean, and the North and Middle Forks of Smith River. Vegetation is stunted because of the high mineral content of the underlying serpentine rocks. The first half mile from the lower trailhead was burned over in the Panther Fire of 1996.

Trailhead Access: Travel 1 mile west on Hwy 199; turn right at Middle Fork Rd and right at the intersection with Gasquet Flat Rd, cross Horace Gasquet Bridge; stay left past Azalea Lane. At the top of the hill turn right at the Gasquet Toll Rd intersection. Follow the Gasquet Toll Rd for 2.4 miles to FS 18N 10. Turn left on 18N10 10 and travel 1.4 miles to the trailhead. Shuttle: Go east on Hwy 1 7.7 miles to Patrick Creek Rd; turn left and continue on Patrick Creek 3.1 miles to signed junction, following sign to Gasquet Toll Rd. Travel 0.5 mile across a bridge, turning tight onto road #315 (Holiday Rd) and continuing 4.25 miles on Holiday Rd. Trailhead is on left.

Young's Valley Trail

Length: 2 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Trailhead elevation: 5,400'
Trail end elevation: 4,500'
Driving time: 2 hours

This trail was formerly a forest road that is now closed to vehicles. Camp in the meadow at the end of this trail and plan to hike into the Siskiyou Wilderness on the Clear Creek Trail, Raspberry Lake Trail, El Capitan Lake Trail, or the Twin Valley Trail for spectacular mountain top views and excellent trout fishing.

Trailhead Access: Travel east on Hwy 199 to Knopki Creek Rd (1 8N07), turn right and drive about 6 miles to a "Y" in road. Stay right, remaining on 1 8N07 and continue another 8 miles to the junction of Sanger Lake and Youngs Valley. Turn to the right and continue another 1.5 miles. This portion of the road is fairly rough and high clearance vehicles are recommended.

Gunbarrel Trail

Length: 1.3 miles
Difficulty: Difficult
Trailhead elevation: 2,500'
Trail end elevation: 1,400'
Driving time: 2 hours

#3E01 The trail starts on a ridge and travels down slope to the South Fork of the Smith River where it meets the South Kelsey Trail. The Gunbarrel Trail is part of the historic Kelsey Trail.
Trailhead Access: Travel east on Hwy 1.99 about 10 miles (MM 24.85) and turn right on Little Jones Creek (a.k.a. Jawbone Rd, FS17N05, and FS16). Stay on FS16 for about 15 miles to FS16N18. Turn on FS16N18 and continue about 5.7 miles, taking a left on FS15N34. Travel about 2 miles on FS15N34; trailhead is on the left, before the end of the road. Very limited parking. Shuttle: Follow instructions to South Kelsey Trailhead.

High Dome Trail

Length: 4 miles
Diffculty: Moderate/steep
Upper Trailhead: 3,500'
Lower Trailhead: 1,300'
Driving time: 25 minutes lower; 55 minutes upper

#3E02 This trail climbs to a scenic overlook atop High Dome Mountain, elevation 3,821', and a natural grass meadow (the dome) with views of surrounding peaks and the ocean. Ruins of a former fire lookout platform remain. Trail descends to the west fork of Patrick Creek where the lower trailhead is located. Primitive camping is available at the Three Ponds site on Gasquet Toll Road.

Trailhead Access: Travel east 7.7 miles on Hwy 199 to Patrick Creek Rd (first road to the left after Patrick Creek Lodge). Turn left on Patrick Creek Rd and continue 3.1 miles to a signed junction. Stay left following the sign to the Gasquet Toll Rd. Travel 0.5 mile and cross a bridge, immediately turning right onto Holiday Road. Trailhead is on the right, parking on left. Shuttle: Continue up #315 another 5.8 miles to the upper trailhead on the right. High-clearance vehicle and/or four-wheel drive recommended on #315.

Little Bald Hills Trail

Length: 5.1 miles + 4.5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate: climb to 2,000'
Rock Creek trailhead: 560'
State Park trailhead: 100'
Driving time: 30 minutes

#1E03 This trail is an old road, the north half (4.5 mi.) of which is in Jedediah State Park and south half (5.1 mi.) in Smith River NRA. The open prairies ("bald" hills), fringed by pines and fir trees, provide an excellent spot for seeing birds of prey in action. South trailhead begins at Rock Creek. Caution: Seasonal high water in Rock Creek makes it dangerous to cross. Use Jedediah Smith Trailhead access.

Trailhead Access: Travel west 7.2 miles on Hwy 199 to junction with South Fork Rd. Turn left on South Fork Rd; continue on South Fork Rd another 7.9 miles to the Rock Creek Bridge. Turn right onto Forest Road 16N23; continue 0.9 mile (very rough road). Road loops; trail begins at creek. Shuttle: Follow instructions to South Fork Road; after crossing second bridge turn right on Howland Hill Road. Travel another 2 miles to parking area. (Jedediah Smith Trailhead).

South Kelsey Trail

Length: 17 miles in NRA + 12 miles in Klamath
Difficulty: Moderate/difficult
Trailhead elevation: 1,300'
Trail end elevation: 5,775'
Driving time: 1 hour

#4E06 The historic Kelsey Trail was built in the 1850s by Chinese workers. It was a 200-mile mule train trail that ran between Crescent City and an army post in Fort Jones, CA, made so that gold mined in Siskiyou County could be shipped from Crescent City to San Francisco banks. The present South Kelsey Trail begins between Horse and Buck Creeks and follows the South Fork for seven miles, affording numerous river accesses for trout fishing. Miles 7-13 ascend Baldy Peak and present experienced hikers awesome views of the Pacific Ocean the rugged Siskiyou and Marble Mountains, and Mt. Shasta. Trail continues another 3.1 miles to Harrington Lake and then enters Klamath National Forest (where it goes on another 12 miles).

Camping opportunities: Buck Creek, Elk Horn Bar, and Eightmile Creek.
Note: Trailhead is occasionally inaccessible due to ice and snow in winter/spring and Eightmile Creek; trail is usually inaccessible in winter/spring.

Trailhead Access: Travel west 7.2 miles on Hwy. 199 to junction with South Fork Rd. Turn left on South Fork Rd and travel 13.7 miles to a paved road going to the right one mile past Steven Bridge. This is the 00 Road, Forest Service Route 15. Continue south 3 miles and turn left on (gravel) FS15N39. Travel another 2 miles to the trailhead where there are 3 picnic tables, a vault toilet, and parking for 10 vehicles. Shuttle: Follow instructions to Gunbarrel Trailhead.

McClendon Ford Trail

Length: 1 mile plus 0.5 on S. Kelsey
Difficulty: Moderate
Trailhead elevation: 1,050'
Trail end elevation: 700'
Driving time: 1 hour

A side trip from South Kelsey Trail, this is a picturesque hike through old growth fir and cedar to a bouldered beach and beautiful pool of the South Fork Smith River. From South Kelsey Trailhead, hike downhill 0.5 mile to the junction overlooking the South Fork; turn left and follow trail downstream. Trail crosses Horse Creek and ends at McClendon Ford on the Smith River.

Trailhead Access: Follow instructions to South Kelsey Trailhead access above.

Doe Flat Trail

Length: 2.5 miles
Difficulty: Easy/moderate
Trailhead elevation: 4,100'
Train end elevation: 3,200'
Driving time: 1.2 hours

The first section of the trail follows an old mining road along Doe Creek to an old chrome mine; the trail continues to Trout Camp at the intersection with Clear Creek Trail and Devil's Punchbowl Trail. Buck Lake Trail branches off 0.5 mile from trailhead; wilderness hunting and fishing areas may also be accessed from this trail. Parking, 3 campsites, and a vault toilet are at the trailhead.

Trailhead Access: Travel east on Hwy 199 for about 10 miles (MM 24.85). Turn right at Little Jones Creek Rd. a.k.a. Jawbone Rd, FS16, and FS7N054 and stay on the paved road for about 10 miles to intersection of FS16N02. Turn left on 16N02 and drive about 5 miles; road ends at the trailhead.

Buck Lake Trail

Length: 0.75 mile +.6 mile on Doe Flat
Difficulty: Easy
Trailhead elevation: 3,900'
Buck Lake elevation: 4,300'
Driving time: 1.2 hours to Doe Flat Trail

Follow Doe Flat Trail for about 0.6 mile and take the Buck Lake Trail to a high elevation lake. Enjoy excellent fishing in the quiet solitude of the Siskiyou Wilderness.

Trailhead Access: Follow route to Doe Flat Trailhead.

Devil's Punchbowl Trail

Length: 3 miles + 2.5 on Doe Flat
Difficulty: Difficult; very steep
Trailhead elevation: 3,300'
Trail end elevation: 4,840'
Driving time: 1.2 hours to Doe Flat

The Devil's Punchbowl Trail is steep with many switchbacks; however, it can be enjoyed by the average hiker at a slow, steady pace. Two picturesque lakes and spectacular views of surrounding mountain peaks and valleys make this hike popular among more experienced hikers. No camping is possible at trail end; camp at Trout Camp at the Doe Flat/Clear Creek junction.

Trailhead Access: Follow driving instructions to Doe Flat Trailhead. Follow the Doe Flat Trail for 2.5 miles to reach trailhead.

Island Lake Trail

Length: 4.1 miles
Difficulty: Difficult
Trailhead elevation: 3,800'
Trail end elevation: 5,000'
Driving time: 1.2 hours

This trail begins on the west side of the South Fork Smith River. Notice that the trees along the first mile were harvested for timber in 1974 and replanted in 1975 and are now healthy, maturing trees. After crossing the river, the steep trail travels through old-growth fir trees, climbing about 2,000' in the next four miles. Water is scarce from the time you leave the river until you reach the lake. Picturesque Island Lake rewards the experienced hiker an excellent trout fishing opportunity.

Trailhead Access: Travel east on Hwy 199 about 10 miles (MM 24.85), turning right on Little Jones Creek Road a.k.a. Jawbone Rd. FS 16, and FS 1 7N05). Drive 10 miles to 16N02; turn right on 16N02 for 2.6 miles. Turn left on 16N28 and continue. 1.8 miles. This road is very rough and use of high clearance vehicles is recommended; excessive rain or snow make it impassable.

Summit Valley Trail

Length: 8.1 miles
Difficulty: Moderate/difficult
Trailhead elevation: 4,600'
Trail end elevation: 1,160'
Driving time: 1.5 hour

Hikers will follow an old jeep road for the first mile, then the trail travels through mountain meadows filled with wildflowers in the late spring. Summit Valley is 3 acres; the site of the old Summit Valley Lookout can be reached by taking a 1/4-mile side trip to the right after you climb out of the valley. The Lookout site offers views of the Pacific Ocean, Siskiyou Mountains, and Mount Shasta. The remainder of the trail descends to and ends at the South Kelsey Trail near Elkhorn Bar.

Trailhead Access: Travel west 7.2 miles. On Hwy 19.9 to the junction with South Fork Rd. turn left onto South Fork Rd (County Road 427) and travel approximately 13.7 miles to a paved road going to the right. This is the GO Road, Forest Service Route 1615. Continue south about 1.4 miles; trailhead is on the left. Shuttle: Leave second vehicle at South Kelsey Trailhead (directions above). Hikers will hike an additional 3 miles on South Kelsey.