by Vincent DiFrancesco, communications coordinator
for the Siskiyou Hiker
Photos by Nick Hodges, Karly White, Leah Doeden, and Chloe Grimes
06 MAY 2025 | KERBY, OR. -- After our volunteers cleared trail around a foggy Babyfoot Lake last weekend, our staff continued on for five more days, heading south along the Kalmiopsis Rim Trail #1124 for just over seven miles (from the junction with Emily Cabin Trail #1129 to Doe Gap).
The trail “follows a long ridge system that stays high all the way from Babyfoot to Vulcan Lake,” says program manager Karly White. This section of trail hadn’t been worked since 2018, and so it was relatively new territory for White and fellow long-time program manager Nick Hodges. Both are working their ninth and tenth seasons, respectively, and so it’s rare for them to encounter new territory in the Kalmiopsis, a Wilderness that is so familiar.
But the new scenery didn’t disappoint. There were “basically 360-degree views,” remembers White, “you can see the High Siskiyou Range to your south, all the way into the Chetco Canyon to the north.”
For the less-experienced staff members, it proved to be a good test of their geography skills. “We were pointing out peaks and other trails,” says White. “It was really cool.”
The crew took care of brush, cleared logs, and did a bit of tread work. But they also built some cairns, or rock piles, to mark the trail where tread was faded or difficult to follow.
Want to join in on the fun and break a sweat with us this summer? We have lots of opportunities on the calendar for you to hit the trail and get to work.
Join us at Vulcan Lake over Memorial Day weekend from May 24-26. We’ll be backpacking into the lake and working on a section of trail to Johnson Butte. Experience the endemic Kalmiopsis leachiana wildflower and incredible views from the ridgeline. Head to our calendar for more info, and email trevor@siskiyoumountainclub.org to sign up today!
Upper Rogue River Trail Restoration: we’re headed out to Union Creek May 31 - June 1 to work on this National Recreation Trail that has suffered from deferred maintenance. Help us bring this section of trail back to life by brushing and treading. This is a great place for us to train new volunteers, so beginners are highly encouraged! We’ll be camping at the Haymaker Campground. All you need is some fitness to hike a couple miles, and some overnight camping gear. Check out our calendar for more info, and email trevor@siskiyoumountainclub.org to sign up.