25 APRIL 2025 | TALENT, OR. -- In coordination with field ranger Steve DiCicco of the Gold Beach Ranger District, we were able to rebuild a lost section of the Illinois River National Recreation Trail where it had sloughed away near Buzzards Roost. Combined with the work on the east side of trail earlier this year, the 30-mile national recreation trail is passable.
There are around 50 logs from the Collier Bar Trail junction to where the trail nears Forest Service Road 091, including some routine brush. Another crew will be dispatched to the trail in June.
Work on the Illinois River Trail this season has been supported by the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest through a cost-share agreement funded by the Burned Area Response (BAR) program. Pick up the map and hike the Illinois River National Recreation trail now.
Trail Threads: Trail webpages missing, calling all horse packers
Forest Service website: "Trail webpages and information will not be available until May"
Google your favorite trail, say the Upper Rogue, and one of the first pages will be a Forest Service website. But there's no longer any information available at the link. May 1 is this Wednesday.
Volunteer to bring fresh food to crews: July 18 - 20
In July, our Corps will be working a 14-day-long hitch deep in the Siskiyou mountains. Spend a few days in the most remote reaches of western Oregon and help pack in food, baked goods, backcountry treats and great cheer.
Volunteers on this trip need recent backpacking experience, be in strong physical shape and be up for a challenge. Pre-approval is required by the trip leader. Email trevor@siskiyoumountainclub.org now for more details and to sign up.
Calling all horsepackers
The Sourdough Chapter of the Backcountry Horsemen of Oregon are helping out pack in supplies for a big hitch in July. But we're hoping to enlist a few more animals.
The trip is challenging but will bring participants into some very wild country that is unusual for equestrians to visit. Email karly@siskiyoumountainclub.org now for details and to sign up.