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Trip Number: 12208A
Adult Price: $495
Child Price: $395
Adult Deposit: $50
Child Deposit: $50
Capacity: 14
Staff: Alison Campbell
Minimum Age: 13
Highlights:
- Help preserve access to this beautiful backcountry "Gold Rush Territory"
- Hike, fish, swim, or lounge on days off
- Meet interesting people from across the country
Includes:
- All meals and snacks
- Tools and instruction for the work project
- Pack support to our tent-camping base camp
The Trip
Introduction (from the Leader to the "Dudes"):
Ready to get dirty for a good cause? Then this trip is for you! You'll push
yourself physically, sweat in the sun, and maybe laugh in the rain. We'll work
hard creating safe trails so others can enjoy the backcountry, learn outdoor
skills like Leave No Trace camping, and have plenty of chill time with guys
your own age and that awesome adult you bring with you. There is no doubt in
my mind you'll make friends and learn tons. We'll end the trip with a SPLASH
as we raft the Klamath River, cleaning up as we go.
Photo: Didi Toaspern
The Marble Mountain Wilderness is a region of rugged grandeur in the Klamath
National Forest. Featuring heavily forested valley bottoms with magnificent
old-growth firs, pines and cedars, the area also includes trails that climb
to subalpine lake basins and above-tree-line ridge crest views. Peaks and ridge
crests are generally at the 7,000-foot level and, due to the area's low timberline,
abound with subalpine scenery.
This area is part of the famous "Klamath Knot," one of the most botanically
rich areas in North America. It contains over 500 species of plants, including
the weeping spruce, which is unique to the area. Spotted owls, pileated woodpeckers,
hawks, and eagles soar over the wilderness. Deer are abundant and sightings
of black bear can occur. Trout fishing is usually outstanding in the wilderness'
many stocked lakes. Late July and August are prime wildflower times, and the
weather is relatively predictable: sunny days and cools nights, always with
a chance of summer thunderstorms.
Our base campsite will be in the Sky High Lake Basin, elevation 6,000 ft. There is fine swimming and fishing from our base camp and ample choices for day hikes for those that want to adventure (in groups of three) on a day off from the work project.
Itinerary
Our trip will begin at the trailhead at 8 a.m. on Thursday, July 12th. It is
essential that participants plan to travel on and arrive at the group campsite
on July 11th. A pack string will take up our food, commissary equipment, and
tools, and we'll backpack six miles up to the Sky High Lake Basin carrying our
personal gear. Once we set up our base camp for the week, we'll have an opportunity
for orientation and introductions. We will work about four days in all, likely
taking two days off to explore and/or relax. The trip will conclude the evening
of the following Wednesday, July 18th, with a buy-your-own dinner at a local
restaurant. Inexpensive motel and/or campground resources will be provided in
pre-trip communication.
As circumstances are bound to change in the backcountry, flexibility is a valuable
asset. For instance, a late-spring snow may necessitate a change in the exact
location of our base camp...or damage from downed trees or a washed-out trail
may influence the priorities of our work project. Come prepared, and we'll adjust
to whatever surprises come our way!
Getting There
Take Interstate 5 to Yreka, California. Take the south Yreka exit "HWY
3" to Fort Jones, 18 miles. Turn right (west) on Scott River Road, between
the Forest Service Office and grocery store, and go approximately 14 miles.
The nearest significant airport is in Medford, Oregon, about two hours to the
north. Redding, California, is another airline destination about 2-1/2 hours
to the southeast. Farther south are Sacramento (5 hours) and San Francisco/Oakland
(6-7 hours), which can be a bit cheaper to fly to and rent cars from.
We support carpooling whenever possible, and the leader can help facilitate ride-sharing among participants. There's plenty of beautiful scenery en route!
Accommodations and Food
Photo: Didi Toaspern
We will be camping in wilderness, so you will need to bring a weather-tested tent, a three-season sleeping bag and pad, and personal camp gear for your comfort. We'll ensure a safe and healthy camp by setting up a latrine, hand-washing stations, and methods to keep food and scented items out of reach of the bears.
Bring raingear and be prepared for any type of weather. July days are typically fairly mild, but temperatures can get as high as the 80s and drop into the 30s at night.
Come with the attitude that food is part of the adventure. We provide healthy,
nutritious, vegetarian-friendly meals with a small amount of meat, along with
dairy and/or soy products, added to ensure proper protein. We have a group commissary,
with everyone taking turns in food preparation. Before applying for the trip,
people with food allergies and/or strong food preferences should contact the
cook to see if accommodations are possible. Our first meal will be breakfast
on Thursday, July 12, and the last will be lunch on Wednesday, July 18.
Trip Difficulty
This trip will be moderately strenuous -- in part due to the elevation and the demanding nature of trail work -- but well within the reach of most people who are in reasonably good shape, well outfitted, and ready to roll up their sleeves. While some backpacking experience is always helpful, this can also be a good trip for beginners. Our trail work will likely involve tools such as shovels and Pulaskis (hoe/axe combos), and there is usually a good mix of jobs to do. We'll provide training in the safe use of tools. You will need boots while we are working on the project, and they are recommended for hiking as well.
Our work will include a range of tasks, and you will not be asked to do anything that exceeds your comfort level. Safety is a priority, and you are the best judge of your abilities. We'll each work at our own pace. At the end of each day we will be free to cool off in a lake or stream, explore the immediate areas, or just rest our tired muscles. (One rule we strictly enforce is that hiking must be done in groups of three or more.)
Minor medical conditions are no impediment to having a full, enjoyable experience. Please do not forget that all participants must have a current tetanus shot within the past 10 years. This injection is most commonly available in the combination of DPT (Diptheria/Pertussis/Tetanus) from your doctor or at your local public health department for a modest cost.
Equipment and Clothing
Photo: Didi Toaspern
While we hope for warm, clear days, the nights are cold and precipitation is always possible -- so please bring three-season camp gear and clothing. You will need a basic first-aid kit containing moleskin, bandaids, sunblock, and lip balm, at least three one-quart water bottles, densely woven long pants, work gloves, comfortable broken-in boots, and clothes to layer for the daily temperature changes. Please also bring your eating utensils, cup, plate, and covered Rubbermaid-type container for your lunch.
A more detailed list of suggested equipment will be sent to participants.
References
Maps:
- USDA Forest Service: "Marble Mountain Wilderness" map. Contact
the Salmon/Scott River Ranger District, Klamath National Forest, at (530)
468-5351.
- www.papermapsonline.com
Books:
- Wallace, David R., The Klamath Knot, Explorations of Myth and Evolution.
- Arnold, Mary Ellicot, and Mabel Reed, The Land of the Grasshopper Song:
Two Women in the Klamath River Indian Country in 1908-1909.
- Green, David, Marble Mountain Wilderness Guide.
- Norse, Elliot, Ancient Forests of the Pacific Northwest.
- Masser, Chris, Forest Primeval.
- Zuckerman, Seth, Saving Our Ancient Forests.
Websites:
Conservation
We will learn firsthand what it takes to manage our nation's public lands, and we'll have a chance to discuss how policies have evolved to maintain a balance between accessibility and resource protection. Marble Mountain Wilderness is one of seven designated wilderness areas in the huge Klamath River Watershed, a world-renowned hub of biological diversity in northwestern California and southwestern Oregon. High-quality habitats connecting these core areas, often in lower-levation river valleys, are threatened by logging, severe wildfires, road-building, agricultural demands on water resources, mining, invasive weeds, and cattle grazing.
Trip Price
See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details
about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy.
The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.
Staff
Leader:
Alison Campbell literally grew up with Sierra Club Outings, having gone on her first trip when she was four. Since then she's served as both Trip Leader and Cook on several service trips. This will be her 5th trip in the Marble Mountains and she is excited to work and bask in the spectacular magic of this area and enjoy time with her son, Jay. By profession Alison is an RN, a yoga teacher and mom to four amazing kids. She looks forward to meeting new people and sharing this fun "getting dirty" service trip experience.
E-mail: alizondove@yahoo.com
Cook:
Didi Toaspern has been involved with National Service Trip leadership since 1986. She started as a leader but soon discovered that cooking is really what she likes best. The majority of her trips have been in the Klamath Mountain region of Northern California, but she has cooked trips in southeast Alaska, Oregon, and Colorado. "Service trips are a special combination of challenge, friendship, exertion and fun! (I also get to go fly fishing in some really cool places.)"
E-mail: dtoaspern@sbcglobal.net
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