Antler Trailhead to Yamsay Mountain

Antler Trailhead to Yamsay Mountain

Rating

            5 out of 5 for whole trail

Mileage

            Antler Trailhead to Antler Springs                                                            3.5 miles

            Antler Springs to Yamsay Mountain                                                         4.5 miles

           

Elevation Change

            Antler Trailhead to Antler Springs                                                            +1044 feet

            Antler Springs to Yamsay Mountain                                                         + 742 feet

GPS Coordinates                                                Latitude                            Longitude

            Antler Trailhead                                       42  57.509                        121  14.853

            Antler Springs                                          42  56.892                        121  18.179

            Yamsay Mountain                                    42  55.830                        121  21.640

Trail Description

           

Yamsay Mountain is the largest shield volcano in the Cascade Range.  A shield volcano is created by multiple flow of lava through a crack in the earth’s crust.  Layer after layer lava increases causes the mountain to look like a big hump instead of the more traditional cinder cone shape caused by the release of pyroclastic material or craters caused by violent explosions.  Even though Yamsay Mountain has an altitude of 8196 feet, making it one of the highest mountains in the area, the mountain is not easily identified on the horizon.  Ice age glaciers have eroded the north side of the mountain leaving some steep cliffs to give the mountain some respectful top and a fantastic view to the north. 

The Yamsay means “north wind” in the Klamath language.  The Klamath tribe considers the mountain the home of the supreme being in the Klamath mythology, so even though it appears insignificant to our eyes, native Americans recognized the importance of the mountain.  Today the area is semi-primitive area with mechanized travel not allowed within its borders.

Hiking to the top is an ordeal from both the eastern basin side and the Klamath western side.  From the east you begin at the Antler trailhead at 6400 feet, but the total vertical climb is much more than the approximately 1800 feet difference.  During the eight-mile traverse along a ridge to the top there are three declines.  The first and last lead to valleys containing lovely springs with rich, green vegetation, while the second crosses a disused dirt road about half way to the top.  Other than the springs, the vegetation on the forest floor is almost nonexistent.  When the trail moves to the north side of the ridge, there are some nice stands of Pacific silver firs, but most of the rest of the hike is through stunted forests of western white pine and lodgepole pine.  The trail is not heavily used.  I only met a couple on horses during the whole hike on a Saturday in August.  At the top of Yamsay Mountain the trail disappears in a meadow, but by then the destination is in sight.

The hike from the west is much shorter, but troublesome in that it was once a road to a lookout tower on top.  When the lookout tower was removed in the 1970s, the forest service decommissioned the road by digging innumerable trenches across the road, driving hikers crazy.

                                                               Top of Yamsay Mountain from trail on ridge

                                                                  First view of Yamsay Mountain from trail

Driving Directions to the Trailheads

Antler Trailhead

            About 1 mile west of Silver Lake on Highway 31 turn south on Road 27.  Turn right after 9 miles on Road 2804.  Go 2.5 miles and turn left on Road 7645.  Go 5 miles and turn left on Road 036.  Go 2.3 miles and turn right on Road 038.  The trailhead is .6 miles.  There is a campground at the trailhead with water, toilet and paddock for horses.

Farm Well Campground to Road 28 via Hager Mountain

Farm Well Campground to Road 28 via Hager Mountain

Rating             

            4 out of 5 for whole trail

            5 out of 5 for segment between road 2916 and end of road 012 and top of Hager Mountain

Mileage

            Farm Well Campground to Road 2916                                             1.0 miles           

            Road 2916 to Hager Mountain trail junction                                    4.0 miles           

            Hager Mountain trail junction to top of Hager Mountain                 1.0 miles             

            Hager Mountain trail junction to trailhead at end of road 012          1.0 miles

            Trailhead at end of road 012 to Road 28 crossing                             1.5 miles

Elevation Change

            Farm Well Campground to top of Hager Mountain                       +2092 feet

            Road 28 to top of Hager Mountain                                                +1965 feet

GPS Coordinates                                             Latitude                 Longitude

            Farm Well Campground                        43  01.662            120  58.618

            Road 2916 crossing                               43  02.011            120  59.144

            Hager Mtn. trail junction                       43  00.910            121  02.433

            Top of Hager Mountain                         43  00.559            121  01.088

            Trailhead at end of Road 012                43  00.715            121  02.885

            Road 28 crossing                                   43  00.350            121  04.277

Trail Description

           

This segment of the National Recreational Trail #160 begins at the Farm Well Campground on a high plateau.  The campground has facilities for horses and several ponds.  The trail toward Hager Mountain starts through a gate in a fence on the north side of the campground.  Another more primitive campground is a half mile from Farm Well.  After a mile the trail crosses Road 2916 and begins to climb through a ponderosa pine forest and becomes more interesting.  The first mile can be eliminated by starting from Road 2916. 

Over the next 4 miles the trail rises through ponderosa pines, sugar pines, grand firs and lodgepole pines.  As the trail reaches a meadow after rounding a south-facing ridge with wonderful views to the west and the first view of the lookout on top of Hager Mountain.  Upon reaching the trail junction one can turn left and climb another 800 vertical feet and a mile to the top of Hager Mountain.  There is a road to the top of Hager Mountain on the backside, but it is only available to the ranger.  Rangers are stationed at the lookout throughout the fire season, but available to rent during the winter.  The views from the top are spectacular in all directions.

Turning right at the trail junction takes one down through mountain mahoganies and eventually ponderosa pines.  There is an option to curtail the hike at the top of Road 012 or continue down another 1.5 miles to Road 28.  For those starting the hike from the west, the first 400 vertical feet of the hike can be bypassed by taking the dirt Road 012 for 2 miles to a small parking area and a trail sign.  From this trailhead the top of Hager Mountain is only 1500 vertical feet.

This trail generally works well for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding.  The trail tends to be smooth with relatively few rocks.  After leaving Farm Well Campground there is no water for horses.  There are a few steep portions of the trail near the top of Hager Mountain that might be difficult for mountain bikes.

                                                                         Lookout on Mt. Hager

                                                               Town of Silver City from Mt. Hager

Driving Directions to Trailheads

Trailhead from Road 2916 Crossing and Farm Well Campground

            Go .3 miles east of Silver Lake on 31 and turn left on Road 28.  After 6.1 miles turn left on Road 2916.  After 5 miles you cross the NRT #160 and can begin hiking at this point or continue another .7 miles and turn left into the Farm Well Campground.

Trailheads from Road 28

            Continue south on Road 28 another 2.8 miles from the Road 2916 junction to reach the NRT #160 crossing.  To get to Road 012 continue south on Road 28 another .2 miles and turn left on Road 012.  Follow Road 012 for 2 miles to a small parking area and trail sign to access NRT #160.

Bear Creek Trailhead to Government Harvey Pass

Bear Creek Trailhead to Government Harvey Pass

Rating

            2 out of 5 for whole trail

Mileage

            Bear Creek trailhead to Slide Mountain road crossing                                  4.5 miles

            Slide Mountain road crossing to Government Harvey Pass trailhead            3.5 miles

           

Elevation Change

            Bear Creek trailhead to Slide Mountain road crossing                                  +849 feet

            Slide Mountain road crossing to Government Harvey Pass trailhead            -293 feet

GPS Coordinates                                                Latitude                             Longitude

            Bear Creek trailhead                                 42  38.508                        120  42.308

            Slide Mountain road crossing                   42  40.646                        120  44.748

            Government Harvey Pass trailhead          42  41.948                        120  47.878

Trail Description

           

The trailhead to Government Harvey Camp starts on the south side of Bear Creek.  After a short rise in elevation the trail enters a long meadow with quaking aspens on the south side of the Bear Creek.  The trail may be hard to find at times as deep grass overgrows some of the trail.  Overhanging branches may also make the trail somewhat difficult for horseback riding.  The sign at the trailhead suggests no biking on this section of the trail.

You will not be the only one enjoying the meadows, as cattle are also grazing along the creek.  About 3 miles up the valley there is some confusion on the direction of the trail.  There is a trail marker on the north side of the creek, but no obvious trail.  About 100 yards above the trail, however, is a dirt road that will take you to the top of the valley to the road to Slide Mountain.  The alternative is to continue on the south side of the creek and the trail will eventually reappear.  The Slide Mountain road at the top of the valley comes off Road 28 and is signed, but the road deteriorates rapidly and is only suggested for 4WD vehicles.

The remaining 3.5 miles to Government Harvey Pass is through mostly dead lodgepole pines that are starting to fall making the trail hard to follow and awkward for horses and bikes.  There are a couple spots that allow you to scramble to the edge of Winter Ridge for a view, but I would not recommend this section of the trail.  Cattle are also grazing along the part of the trail during the summer.

                                                              Bear Creek Meadow above Bear Creek Trailhead

Driving Directions to the Trailheads

Bear Creek Trailhead

From 31 in Paisley take Road 33 south.  After 1 mile turn left on Road 3315, which rises along the west ridge of the Chewaucan Valley.  After 5.1 miles take the left junction.  After another 3.1 miles take the right junction and continue another 5.2 miles to the Bear Creek Trailhead.  The trail heading west is on the south side of Bear Creek and the trail heading east is on the north side of Bead Creek.

Government Harvey Pass Trailhead

From 31 at the southern end of Summer Lake take Road 29 9.5 miles to the top of Winter Ridge.  At 2.8 miles take the right fork.  Once on top make a left and go .1 miles to the trailhead south.  The trailhead north can be reached by taking a right at the top and going .2 miles.

Chewaucan Crossing to Bear Creek Trailhead

Chewaucan Crossing to Bear Creek Trailhead

Rating

            4 out of 5 for first 2 miles and last 1.5 miles

            2 out of 5 for rest of the trail

Mileage

            Chewaucan Crossing to Little Bear Creek                                                  5.0 miles

            Little Bear Creek to first road crossing Bear Creek                                    1.0 miles

            First road crossing Bear Creek to second road crossing Bear Creek          1.0 miles

            Second Road crossing Bear Creek to Bear Creek trailhead                        1.5 miles

           

Elevation Change

            Chewaucan Crossing to Little Bear Creek                                                  1314 feet

            Little Bear Creek to first road crossing Bear Creek                                        40 feet

            First road crossing Bear Creek to second road crossing Bear Creek            157 feet

            Second Road crossing Bear Creek to Bear Creek trailhead                          266 feet

GPS Coordinates                                                    Latitude                            Longitude

            Chewaucan Crossing                                    42  36.904                        120  36.350

            Little Bear Creek crossing                            42  38.100                        120  38.879

            First crossing of Bear Creek                         42  38.138                        120  39.867

            Second crossing of Bear Creek                     42  38.229                        120  40.776

            Bear Creek Trailhead                                    42  38.525                        120  42.312

Trail Description

The trail begins across Road 33 from the Chewaucan Crossing Campground.  The first 2 miles consist of gentle switchbacks  climbing almost 1000 vertical feet through a ponderosa pine forest above the Chewaucan Valley floor.  This section is quite nice although views are limited because of the trees.  As the trail begins to turn west the vegetation becomes thinner and eventually turns into privately held pasture land.  There are a few views south up the Chewaucan Valley, but there is not much exciting to see until you reach the upper reaches of Bear Creek nearer the Bear Creek trailhead.  

The trail first crosses Little Bear Creek at a road after 5 miles.  From there it another mile to a road crossing Bear Creek with the trail switching from the north side of the creek to the south side.  Bear Creek is crossed back to the north side again at a road after another mile.  The last 1.5 miles follow the north side of Bear Creek to the Bear Creek trailhead are quite nice with ponderosa pines and quaking aspens along the creek.

            

                                                            Looking south up Chewaucan Valley

Driving Directions to the Trailheads

Chewaucan Crossing Trailhead

From 31 in Paisley take Road 33 south for 7.5 miles to the Chewaucan Crossing Campground.  The trailhead southeast begins across a footbridge in the campground.  The trailhead west begins across the road from the entrance to the campground.

Bear Creek Trailhead

From 31 in Paisley take Road 33 south.  After 1 mile turn left on Road 3315, which rises along the west ridge of the Chewaucan Valley.  After 5.1 miles take the left junction.  After another 3.1 miles take the right junction and continue another 5.2 miles to the Bear Creek Trailhead.  The trail heading west is on the south side of Bear Creek and the trail heading east is on the north side of Bear Creek. 

Morgan Butte to Chewaucan Crossing

Morgan Butte to Chewaucan Crossing

Rating

            4 out of 5 for whole trail

Mileage

            Morgan Butte to Avery Pass                                                2.5 miles

            Avery Pass to Skunk Hollow                                               2.5 miles

            Skunk Hollow to Cat Creek                                                 3.0 miles

            Cat Creek to Chewaucan Crossing                                       2.0 miles

           

Elevation Change

            Morgan Butte to Avery Pass                                                 -932 feet

            Avery Pass to Skunk Hollow                                                -726 feet

            Skunk Hollow to Cat Creek                                                 -209 feet

            Cat Creek to Chewaucan Crossing                                       -550 feet

GPS Coordinates                                                Latitude                             Longitude

            Morgan Butte                                            42  32.396                        120  32.658

            Avery Pass                                                42  34.253                        120  33.200

            Chewaucan Crossing                                42  36.930                        120  36.322

Trail Description

           

The NRT #160 trail crosses the shoulder of Morgan Butte 0.1 miles from the top of the butte.  There is a fire lookout on top of Morgan Butte that is accessed by a dirt road.  A gate on the road may be locked a mile from the top.  The view from Morgan Butte is spectacular in all directions.

The trail north off the top of Morgan Butte is a little rocky and steep for bikes.  The access road can be used to bypass this section.  Follow the switchbacks down road for about 0.8 miles and you will see a sign on the left indicating a trail.  This trail connects with NRT #160 after about 50 yards.  Turn right to continue to Chewaucan Crossing.  The next mile offers beautiful views to the west on a high ridge before dropping down to Avery Pass, which is accessed by a dirt road.  The trail continues through a gate and continues to wind down along a hillside with at least three small stream crossings with water in late summer.

The vegetation along this trail is ponderosa pine forest with enough openings to offer frequent views.  The trail is in excellent condition except for the top of Morgan Butte, which can be avoided by using the service road to the lookout.  Streams along the trail offer watering opportunities for horse stock.

                                                                     Morgan Butte from north

                                                                        Morgan Butte Lookout

Driving Directions to the Trailheads

Morgan Butte Lookout

To drive to Morgan Butte Lookout continue southeast from Paisley for 6 miles on Highway 31 before turning right on Clover Flat Road.  After 3.5 miles turn right on a dirt road for 7.2 miles.  The last mile may not be accessible by vehicle because of a locked gate.

Chewaucan Crossing Trailhead

From 31 in Paisley take Road 33 south for 7.5 miles to the Chewaucan Crossing Campground.  The trailhead southeast to Morgan Butte begins across a footbridge in the campground.  The trailhead west begins across the road from the entrance to the campground.

Road 28 to Silver Creek March Campground

Road 28 to Silver Creek March Campground

Rating

            3 out of 5 for whole trail

Mileage

            From Road 28 to bridge over Silver Creek                                          1.5 miles

            Bridge over Silver Creek to Silver Creek Marsh Campground            3.5 miles

Elevation Change

            From Road 28 to bridge over Silver Creek                                           -407 feet

            Bridge over Silver Creek to Silver Creek Marsh Campground            +  27 feet

GPS Coordinates                                              Latitude                             Longitude

            Road 28 Crossing                                    43  00.350                        121  04.277

            Bridge over Silver Creek                         43  00.252                        121  05.889

            Silver Creek Marsh Campground            43  00.388                        121  08.070

Trail Description

           

This trail segment is a rather unexciting link that crosses the Silver Creek Valley.  The high point in scenery of this trail is its low point in elevation, the canyon through which Silver Creek flows.  After a mile of uninspiring scrub ponderosa pines, the trail drops 200 feet into a canyon containing Silver Creek.  At the bottom you reach a junction in the trail.  To the left .2 of a mile is a nice little unimproved campground with a picnic table along the creek.   Turning right at the trail junction leads to a bridge crossing Silver Creek.  Once you cross the creek the trail climbs up the west side.  This part of the trail is partially covered with low-lying brushy plants.  Once the trail reaches the west rim it is mostly level through scrub ponderosa pines to the Silver Creek Marsh Campground.  The trail first hits Road 288 south of the West Fork of Silver Creek.  To get to the trailhead continuing up the West Fork, cross the road bridge over the West Fork and turn left on a dirt road after .2 miles. To get to the Silver Creek Marsh Campground, continue another .2 miles on Road 288.  The campground is located along the West Fork and has facilities for horses.

Driving Directions to the Trailheads

Silver Creek Marsh Campground

            About 1 mile west of Silver Lake on 31 turn south on Road 27.  The Silver Creek March Campground is 10.4 miles on the paved road.  The trail is most easily accessed on a dirt road .2 miles past the entrance to the campground.

Trailhead from Road 28

            Go .3 miles east of Silver Lake on 31 and turn left on Road 28.  The NRT #160 crosses Road 28 9 miles south.

           

Silver Creek Marsh Campground to Antler Trailhead

Silver Creek Marsh Campground to Antler Trailhead

Rating

            4 out of 5 for whole trail

Mileage

            Silver Creek Marsh Campground to Road 3038 crossing North Fork             4.0 miles

            Road 3038 crossing North Fork to Antler Trailhead                                       3.0 miles

           

Elevation Change

            Silver Creek Marsh Campground to Road 3038 crossing North Fork             +708 feet

            Road 3038 crossing North Fork to Antler Trailhead                                        +849 feet

GPS Coordinates                                    Latitude                             Longitude

            Silver Creek Marsh trailhead        43  00.176                        121  08.421

            Road 3038 crossing                      42  58.341                        121  11.802

            Antler trailhead                             42  57.509                        121  14.853

Trail Description

           

The start of the trail is about .2 miles west of the Silver Creek Marsh Campground on a dirt road.  Go about .2 miles up the road passing through a gate.  The trail begins to the left and drops down to the West Fork of the Silver Creek.  The next 2 miles of the valley were burned in the Silver Fire of 2002.  Brush has grown up around the trail and the first bridge across the West Fork about 1 mile upstream was burned and has not been replaced.  A log can be used to make the crossing.  The trail crosses the West Fork in another .2 miles with a new bridge.  From here the trail climbs up the North Fork valley and follows the North Fork all the way to the Antler trailhead.

After the first 2 miles of burned ponderosa pine forests the trail returns to live forests of ponderosa pines.  The trail crosses Road 3038 and the North Fork after 4 miles and continues upstream on the north side of the creek.  As the trail moves up the north bank, it reaches the bottom of some unusual basalt rock formations.  In the last mile two more dirt roads are crossed.

Driving Directions to the Trailheads

Silver Creek Marsh Campground

            About 1 mile west of Silver Lake on 31 turn south on Road 27.  The Silver Creek March Campground is 10.4 miles on the paved road.  The trail is most easily accessed on a dirt road .2 miles past the entrance to the campground.

Antler Trailhead

            About 1 mile west of Silver Lake on 31 turn south on Road 27.  Turn right after 9.4 miles and follow signs to Antler Trailhead for 9.6 miles.  There is a campground at the trailhead with water, toilet and paddock for horses.