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The Lower Trinity Ranger District is bisected by State Highway 299, the main travel route in Northwestern California to reach the Northcoast. Willow Creek is Approximately 100 miles west of Redding and 45 miles east of Eureka/Arcata. At one time, a major timber producing area, Willow Creek no longer supports a major manufacturing industry. Willow Creek however, is a recreation destination for sport fishing, including salmon and steelhead, kayakers, and river rafters who heavily use the Main Stem and South Fork of the Trinity River most of the year. The area is also famous for Bigfoot, achieving notoriety through the years as a hub for sightings. Hunting also is a big draw to the area with large deer and bear populations.
WARNING: Due to high snow pack and rapid melting, creeks may be higher than usual and difficult or impossible to cross in the Spring and early Summer. USE EXTREME CAUTION!
It is not possible for us to visit all trails on a frequent basis. We often must rely on reports from the public concerning current trail conditions. If you visit any trails on the forest and note conditions different from what is listed here, we invite and welcome you to report what you observe to our recreation and wilderness program manager, Bryson Code, at brysonhcode@fs.fed.us.
The Mad River Ranger District is located on Highway 36 approximately 50 miles east of Highway 101 and the Eureka/Arcata area and 100 miles west of Interstate 5 and the cities of Redding and Red Bluff. Traveling south for 20-30 miles on county roads brings you to the communities of Ruth and Zenia.
The Mad River Ranger Station is at an elevation of 2550 feet. The remainder of the district varies from 2000 to 6000 feet.
The climate is characterized by warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Average precipitation in the area is 60" with the majority of the moisture falling between October and April. Snow is uncommon at elevations under 3000' but many areas on the district receive substantial snowfall.
There are a variety of trails in the Mad River District that are sure to appeal to everyone. One very popular trail is the Discovery Trail. The Discovery Trail is primarily open to street legal vehicles and makes for a great weekend activity.
It is not possible for us to visit all trails on a frequent basis. We often must rely on reports from the public concerning current trail conditions. If you visit any trails on the forest and note conditions different from what is listed here, we invite and welcome you to report what you observe to our recreation and wilderness program manager, Bryson Code, at bryson.code@usda.gov.
Recreational activities abound in the Smith River National Recreation Area or NRA. The beautiful Smith River offers fishing for steelhead, trout, and salmon. During the summer months, the pure, clean waters of the Smith River are perfect for swimming, rafting, or fishing and the forested mountainsides present occasions for hiking, bird watching, wildflower walks, or perhaps just lounging in the sun.
Winter temperatures drop into the 40s and 50s, with an occasional snow storm. The rainy season normally runs from October through April with an average annual rainfall of 92.55 inches. Summers are dry with highs in the 80-100°F degree range. Contact the NRA Headquarters at the Gasquet Ranger Station for current weather conditions.
There are a wide variety of trails in the Smith River National Recreation Area that range from Siskiyou Wilderness trails to the botanical beauty of the Myrtle Creek and Darlingtonia interpretive trails where visitors can view a variety of rare and endangered plants and wildflowers. There are also quite a few short trails (under four miles) that offer scenic views of the Smith River National Recreation Area.
It is not possible for us to visit all trails on a frequent basis. We often must rely on reports from the public concerning current trail conditions. If you visit any trails on the forest and note conditions different from what is listed here, we invite and welcome you to report what you observe to our recreation and wilderness program manager, Bryson Code, at bryson.code@usda.gov.
