TRAILS

The foundation of our programs are accessing local walking and hiking trails in and around the Happy Camp area. Seasonal weekend hikes are open to the public. Join us and learn how to maintain trails. We carry a pair of clippers and a small bow saw to remove the constant debris crisscrossing the trails (especially after snows or windy days). By maintaining our precious local trails and walking them more and more they naturally improve. Familiarity brings friends, health and fitness benefits. The wilderness is a great place to get refreshed, bird watch or stargaze if you're the adventurous sort. 

 

THE RIVER TRAIL

Recently restored The River Trail is a wonderful short level trail running from the Town Park to the Klamath River Bridge. Locals and elders frequent this level natured trail. I recently met a man walking who had just recovered from a heart attack. He said his doctor told him to walk more. I might ad this elder man is a treasured Karuk elder and we are happy to have him around longer.

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Many of these trails are on maps of days gone by. From the firsts plot maps of 1882 to the many USGS maps subsequently made in different decades we refer to them all and find trails still well preserved on the ground.Some of these trails are part of the USDA FS System Trails and some are pre 1906 when the KNF was created and have been continuously used by local Hunters, wild-crafters, miners, hikers and travelers of all sorts.  Other trails are the original travel routs before the era of roads with automobiles. When travel along the rivers was on foot or beast along creeks and up and down ridges. The Klamath Mountains are full of steep and rugged terrain. 

 

I would like to acknowledge the original peoples, the Karuk Tribe which still live here in their ancestral territory  Many of their trails are sacred and we try and stay away from their sacred spiritual trails and stick to more of the Gold miner era trails out of respect for their living culture. 

 

Occasionally Karuk basket weavers join our Trees-N-Trails hikes to collect herbs and bounty from the unique "Knot"climate.   We share in the excitement and expertise of learning how to appreciate the different plants, their place and health in the forest. Historically the Karuk used fire to regenerate, manage and preserve the forest. Fire now more prevalent is often very good for many of the plants for the material gatherers.

 

Bruce Harlow

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