{"id":4591,"date":"2017-07-02T16:32:38","date_gmt":"2017-07-02T23:32:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/?p=4591"},"modified":"2023-03-03T16:16:17","modified_gmt":"2023-03-03T23:16:17","slug":"bear-lake-siskiyou-kelsey-trail","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/2017\/07\/02\/bear-lake-siskiyou-kelsey-trail\/","title":{"rendered":"Bear Lake, Siskiyou Wilderness, Kelsey National Recreation Trail"},"content":{"rendered":"

This hike takes you on the historic Kelsey National Recreation Trail to Bear Lake in the Siskiyou Wilderness, where beauty and solitude<\/a> await. Day hike or backpack with this full trail description and topographic map.<\/p>\n

Note that much of the first portion of the South Kelsey National Recreation Trail has burned in recent wildfires<\/a>. Also be aware that you need a high-clearance vehicle<\/strong> to get to the trailhead.<\/p>\n

\"Brewers
Brewers Spruce Above Bear Lake, Siskiyou Wilderness. (Courtesy J. Malone\/Wikimedia Commons<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Bear Lake Trail, Siskiyou Wilderness Key Data<\/h2>\n

Length: 6.0 miles round-trip
\nHiking time: 4 hours or overnight
\nHigh point: 5,550 feet
\nTotal elevation gain: 1,750 feet
\nDifficulty: moderate
\nSeason: mid-June through mid-October
\nWater: available at Bear Lake (purify first); bring your own
\nMap: USGS 7.5\u2019 Bear Peak
\nInformation: Happy Camp Ranger District<\/a>, Klamath National Forest
\nBear Lake Siskiyou Wilderness Trailhead GPS coordinates: N 41 40.333 W 123 33.462
\nNotes: dogs allowed. Backpackers who want a campfire<\/a> need a permit<\/p>\n

Driving Directions to the Bear Lake Siskiyou Wilderness Trailhead<\/h2>\n

Take paved Forest Road 15N19, which is on CA Highway 96\u2019s west side 72 miles north of Willow Creek, 10 miles south of Happy Camp, and 0.4 mile south of the Highway 96 bridge over Clear Creek. Always stay on the best road at intersections, and follow signs for the Bear Lake\/Kelsey Trail. The pavement ends 6.5 miles from Highway 96. Drive 5.0 miles farther and turn right at the sign for Bear Lake. Continue the last 0.1 mile to the trailhead.<\/p>\n

\"Bear
The Kelsey National Recreation Trail nears Bear Lake in the Siskiyou Wilderness. (Courtesy of Caltopo.com<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hiking the Kelsey National Recreation Trail to Bear Lake in the Siskiyou Wilderness<\/h2>\n

Hike into the heart of far Northern California\u2019s wild and remote Siskiyou Mountains; you\u2019ll visit the deep waters of Bear Lake and be treated to a panorama of high ridges and peaks.<\/p>\n

The Kelsey National Recreation Trail, a part of the nineteenth-century Kelsey Trail that linked Fort Jones with the Pacific Coast, begins in a forest of Douglas fir, white fir, and incense cedar. It reaches the lush greenery of Elbow Spring at 0.2 mile and then climbs moderately past an understory of Sadler oak, huckleberry oak, manzanita, and tobacco brush. At 1.5 miles the trail nears a ridge and offers open views of the forested Siskiyou Mountains to the west and south.<\/p>\n

\n

Camp for Free in California National Forests<\/h4>\n

\"CampCalifornia’s national forests and BLM lands have thousands of miles of dirt roads with lots of spots for dispersed camping (boondocking).<\/strong> My book provides all the info you need to get started (but is not a guide to specific sites):<\/p>\n