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Backpacking Trips in the Marble Mountain Wilderness Buy the books: Marble Mountain Wilderness Wilderness Press Kelsey Trail--Trans Marble Salmon Crest Detailed trail guide Description: This route, developed in 1855, along the Marble Salmon Mountains Crest follows remaining parts of the Fort Jones end of the Kelsey Trail from the Scott to the Klamath River. The continuation of the Kelsey Trail over the Siskiyous is discussed in the Siskiyou Trails Section. The route charted here is via Ten Bear trailhead, Haypress Meadows, Cuddihy Lakes, Marble Rim segment of the Pacific Crest Trail, and down Kelsey Creek to the Scott River. Difficulty: Strenuous. Starting Elevation: 4,600 ft. High Elevation: 6,480 ft. When: July to October. Useage: Light in the western part and heavy in the eastern part. Maps: Topographic: Directions to Trailhead: To Ten Bear Trailhead. Take forest service road 1517 past turnoffs for Let 'Er Buck and Camp 4 trailheads for 19.9 miles. Trailhead is opposite FS 14N01 Junction. To Kelsey Creek Trailhead. From Scott River take trail across road from the north end of Bridge Flat Campground, located 13.5 miles south of Highway 96. Wooley Creek Watershed Loop Detailed trail guide Description: This trail presents the magnificence, peacefulness, and biological resources of the Marble Mountain wilderness. The loop starts essentially at the Salmon River Wooley Creek Trailhead and ends after a traverse of the watershed at the Portuguese Trailhead. To make the trailhead round trip connection, about 8 miles, a bicycle stash at Portuguese Trailhead would be handy. The plan is to walk up Wooley Creek for a few days exploring this wild canyon bottom, getting in shape with short carries: Deer Lick Creek, Bridge Creek, Bear Skull Camp, and Big Meadows Junction. Then starting before dawn up the 4000 foot climb in 5.7 miles to Big Meadows and Hell Hole Ridge Divide to mountain views far and wide. Much of this trip will probably be in solitude. It is difficult overall, but in comfortable stages the adventure will carry the trip. If things are not working out you can drift back down Wooley Creek. Difficulty: Difficult if hurried, pleasant in stages. Starting Elevation: 650 ft. High Elevation: 7,000 ft. When: Mid July to mid October. Useage: Most of this route is lightly used, but expect people at some lakes. The last 8.5 miles will probably be in solitude. Maps: Topographic: Directions to Trailhead: Wooley Creek Trailhead: Turn off highway 96 at the Salmon River and take Forest Highway 93 east for 3.6 miles to trailhead parking. CAUTION: the Wooley Creek trailhead is one of the best for getting your car vandalized or stolen! Portuguese Trailhead. As above except take Forest Highway 93 E for 4.2 miles to 12N01 Junc. for Steinacker Creek cross the Salmon River Bridge and follow paved road to trailhead. The Road to Nowhere as the locals call it goes 7.1 miles or less as restoration plans and nature intercede. You may see elk on the way to the trailhead. Pacific Crest Trail--Marble Mountains Segment Detailed trail guide Description: From Etna Summit the route follows the Salmon Mountains Crest along the North Fork Salmon River Divide to the Wooley Creek-Kidder Creek Divide to the heart of the Marble Mountains and running through them before descending to the Grider Creek on the Scott River. This hike is replete with fine views and adventure. Difficulty: Moderate. Time Needed: 5-7 days Distance: 49.4 miles Low Elevation: 1,700 ft. High Elevation: 7,210 ft. Useage: High. Maps: Topographic: Directions to Trailhead: South Trailhead (Etna Summit): Take Forest Rd 1C01 (Sawyer's Bar) to Etna Summit. Trailhead. North Trailhead (Grider Creek): From Highway 96 take SIS 8D001 west in direction of Grider Creek 2.4 miles. Turn left 2.4 miles on 46N66 to spur road at hairpin turn. Follow spur road 1/4 mile to dead end at Grider Creek. A Trail to Ukonom Lake: Johnson's Hunting Ground Detailed trail guide Description: There are many ways to get to Ukonom Lake: from the Salmon Crest, Haypress Meadows, or Wooley Creek among others. Another way, off the beaten path because of difficult access, limited water, steep up and downs, and teeny lakes is this one via Johnson's and Tichner Hole. The end of the trail is the largest lake in the Marble Mountain Wilderness, Ukonom Lake--67 acres. Made extra large by a dam to provide water to hydraulic the Bunker Hill Mine down near the Kelsey Trail crossing of the Klamath River, Ferry Point. Difficulty: Strenuous. Distance: 8.4 miles Low Elevation: 5,310 ft. High Elevation: 6,740 ft. Useage: Low. Maps: Topographic: Directions to Trailhead: From Happy Camp take Elk Creek Road 11.1 miles. Take right fork just before Elk Creek Bridge 0.6 mile to another right fork, proceed 0.6 miles to 15N13--left fork Road. Continue on 15N13 for 6.1 miles to a right turn onto 14N60 after 1.3 miles take another right onto 14N61. Take 14N61 for 1/2 mile to unsigned trailhead. North Fork Salmon River Bug Gulch Loop Detailed trail guide Description: This route is essentially a tour of the North Fork of the Salmon River watershed. You follow the North Fork 11.6 miles up to old Camp Six the head up to the North Fork--Wooley Creek headwaters divide. and loop around coming back down to Six Mile Camp via the Shelly Meadows Trail along the Right Hand Fork. This trail connects to the PCT (# 3 above), the PCT alternate (#6 below), and the Wooley Creek Loop (#2 above). Difficulty: The headwaters section is strenuous. Time Needed: 4-6 days Distance: 33.7 miles Low Elevation: 2,810 ft. High Elevation: 6,930 ft. Useage: High along the N. Fork; light on the headwaters section. Maps: Topographic: Directions to Trailhead: Mule Bridge Trailhead. From Idlewild Campground on Road 1CO1 about 6 miles east of Sawyers Bar, take 41N37 2.3 miles. Salmon Mountains PCT via Shelly Fork to Shackleford Creek Detailed trail guide Description: This trip, starting on the Shelly Fork of Kidder Creek and ending at the Shackleford Creek Trailhead, meets the PCT 8.9 miles from Etna Summit. The route connects to the heart of the popular Salmon Crest country; it is an early season PCT alternate which avoids snow covered trail on the northeast side of Peak 7550. Views of the headwaters of Wooley Creek and the isolated waters of Maneaten Lake. Difficulty: Moderate. Time Needed: 2-3 days Distance: 16.3 miles Low Elevation: ??? High Elevation: 7,210 ft. Useage: Extremely high. Maps: Topographic: Directions to Trailhead: Shelly Fork of Kidder Creek Trailhead: Take Kidder Cr Road 8.4 miles then take left fork to bridge over Kidder Cr. after 0.1 mile take right. Pass left at 0.9 cross Shelly Fork come to another Junction in 0.2 miles turn left and follow road upslope 0.3 mile to parking area and corral. Shackleford Creek Trailhead: Take Scott River Road 23.5 miles from Highway 96. Follow Quartz Valley Road South 4.0 miles to 43N21. Take 43N21 for 7.4 miles to trailhead.