August 5th/6th Hike and Learn
About 30 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail run through Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. Though this is a small fraction of the total 2,650 miles of the PCT, there is much to enjoy within the Monument and plenty of opportunities for day hikes and backpacking trips alike.
On Friday evening, a group of inquisitive PCT-enthusiasts came together to hear a talk by Ian Nelson, the Northern California/Southern Oregon Regional Representative for the Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA). The PCTA is a non-profit organization devoted to the preservation, protection, and promotion of the PCT, one of 11 National Scenic Trails in the United States. The region Ian stewards spans Burney Falls State Park in Northern California up to Windigo Pass in the Umpqua National Forest. He had tons of facts and statistics to share and was able to answer all our questions about trail maintenance, laws, and history, as well as more pertinent questions about the recent fires (McKinney, Windigo) that led to temporary trail closures.
On the following Saturday morning, the group joined Ian to hike about four miles of the PCT leaving from the Hobart Bluff trailhead, heading south. The landscape alternated between lush conifer forests and open meadows with sweeping views – Ian made sure to bring us to one of his favorite sections of trail within the Monument. We got to see some of the work volunteer crews did under his leadership to decrease erosion and level the tread. This hike was a great reminder that the work of protecting and maintaining trails is often an unseen effort, but there are many people working every day to keep trails accessible through advocacy, education, and boots on the ground, hands in the dirt hard work!
The Friends of CSNM thank Ian for taking the time to share his knowledge of a trail that is a key part of the Monument’s story. We appreciate the PCTA for their work; please check out their website for more information: https://www.pcta.org/.
Words and photos by Interpretive Ranger Sarah Martinez.
