April is a great time to get out and hike the beauty of the Klamath-Siskiyou region
By Haleigh Martin
April is Earth Month, a great time to not only celebrate and advocate for the planet, but also a great time to get outside and enjoy it! Many folks don’t know how truly unique the Klamath-Siskiyou bioregion is, but KS Wild is here to tell you exactly what makes this region so special and how you can get outside to experience it for yourself.
The Klamath-Siskiyou bioregion extends from the edge of Oregon’s Umpqua River valley in the north towards California’s wine country in the south, and from the Pacific Ocean in the west to the slopes of the volcanic Cascade Mountains in the east. The Klamath-Siskiyou region is the intersection of several other major regions and habitats. These include the Great Basin, the Oregon Coast Range, the Cascades Range, the Sierra Nevada, the California Central Valley and the Coastal Province of Northern California.
Each of these areas has very different physical characteristics which have resulted in the overlapping ranges of diverse plants and animals. This high concentration of endemic species (species found nowhere else) has resulted in a globally notable high level of biodiversity, making it a “biodiversity hotspot.”
A living time capsule
In this bioregion, the complex geological patchworks and the range in elevation, soil types and moisture results in the region supporting many different plant communities. There are over 3,500 plant species across the region. Many are considered endemic species, meaning they are found here in this region and nowhere else on Earth! The region is also known to be a refugium — a place where ancient species survived ice ages — so it’s like a living time capsule of plant evolution.
The region is also rich in wildlife, housing thousands of species, including numerous threatened or endangered species that cling to this region for their survival. These include the northern spotted owl, Pacific fisher, marbled murrelet and red tree vole. Rivers like the Klamath and Rogue support strong salmon runs, which are critical to ecosystems and to Indigenous communities.
So how can you get outside and experience some of this magic for yourself? We’re glad you asked! Our staff at KS Wild and Rogue Riverkeeper have pulled together a list of our favorite springtime hikes to get you outside and inspired by this incredible region we get to call home.
But remember: Before going outside, please brush up on your Leave No Trace principles to be the best recreationist and steward possible. Now, here’s a list of some of our favorite places to go as soon as springtime beckons:
The East Applegate Ridge Trail
This trail is a crowd-pleaser with its sweeping views, birding opportunities and springtime wildflower show. Beginning just outside of Jacksonville, and depending on which trailhead you begin at, it undulates over the course of 5 miles. It boasts a vibrant wildflower display with houndstongue, lupine, Oregon sunshine and many others thriving on the open hillsides. Click here to visit the Bureau of Land Management’s EART page.
Know before you go: This is a multiuse trail, so you may encounter bikers and equestrians in addition to your fellow hikers. For a more moderate experience, begin at the Sterling Creek trailhead. For a more strenuous hike, begin at the 238 trailhead.
Kenneth Denman Wildlife Area
Enjoy a mostly flat and peaceful walk along the Rogue River and Little Butte Creek just outside of White City as you explore the Denman Wildlife Area. Due to its proximity to the river and its protected status, this is an excellent place to work on your birding skills. It is a prime location for many nesting and migrating birds, as well as a range of other wildlife species. This state-owned wildlife refuge has a network of trails that cover several different habitat types, including riparian areas, oak woodland and grasslands. Keep an eye out for mushrooms, as this is a great springtime mushroom spot! See the visitor’s guide for the Wildlife Area here.
Know before you go: Some parts of this area may have healthy poison oak and tick populations. Please use caution when exploring here. You also need a parking permit to visit the Wildlife Area. Click here to learn more about this.
Upper and Lower Table Rocks
Jutting out of the valley floor, the Table Rocks are prominent Rogue Valley features. The Table Rocks were once a sanctuary for the Takelma Tribe but were colonized by settlers in the mid-19th century during the gold rush. These two volcanic plateaus offer a few miles of trails that are easy to get to, and they offer a unique flora and fauna experience. Atop the plateaus, seasonal vernal pools house the threatened fairy shrimp. If your timing is just right, you might also spot the dwarf woolly meadowfoam, a wildflower species that grows around the vernal pools and nowhere else in the world!
Note: In exciting news, the Siletz Tribe recently purchased a large chunk of land near the Table Rocks. Click here to read more about that celebratory victory.
Know before you go: To protect the sensitive plant and wildlife species, please stay on the trails when visiting Table Rocks and do not venture off into the wet meadows. Dogs are not allowed on the Table Rocks trails. Please leave your furry friends at home.
The Jacksonville Woodlands
This nearby hiking spot offers a quick and refreshing escape from the daily hustle. On the 124-acre area of historic woodlands, you’ll find 18 miles of nicely maintained trails that will be surrounded by fields of wildflowers this time of year. As you explore, you’ll discover a variety of botanical treasures, including the rare and beautiful Fritillaria gentneri lily. This unique habitat is also home to many other native plants and animals. It’s a special place worth visiting. The city of Jacksonville hosts a festival every April in dedication to the Gentner’s fritillary.
You can check out the flowering plant list from SOLC here. Find a downloadable park map here.
Another area with numerous trails is Forest Park, also outside of Jacksonville. This park has an extensive network of trails that were built by a hardy crew of volunteers. The trails follow streams and switch back up the steep hills. Mountain bikes are allowed on some trails and dogs on all trails. Some of the higher trailheads are accessed on narrow gravel roads, so park at the first parking areas if you don’t have a mountain-worthy vehicle. Historical artifacts such as an old train trestle and the remnants of Jacksonville’s former drinking water reservoir can be found. Many of the trails run through heavily shaded coniferous forest and some top out onto ridges with madrone and manzanita.
Buck Rock Tunnel
If you’re looking for a full day trip to explore the depths of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, this may be the spot for you. While the unfinished tunnel is the star of the show on this hike, you will also find impeccable wildflowers, mushrooms in the spring and fall, sweeping vistas of the valleys below, old-growth conifer forests and more. To access this unique area, take the Buckhorn Springs Road from Highway 66 to BLM road 39-2E-34. You’ll find a parking area, which is a reclaimed roadbed, a few miles down that road. You can read about the history of the Black Rock Tunnel from Friends of Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument here.
Know before you go: Parts of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument are at higher elevations. Be prepared to hit the snow line if you visit some spots early in the spring.
The Klamath-Siskiyou bioregion is a real-life example of how geology, climate and time can conspire to create a hotspot of life. Whether you’re into wildflowers, ancient forests, or the drama of ecological politics, the Klamath-Siskiyou is something special. Want to explore more of the Klamath-Siskiyou bioregion? Check out the “Explore” page on our website! Find other ways to celebrate and advocate for this special region of the planet by clicking here.
KS Wild Side appears every month and features a staff member from KS Wild, a regional conservation organization based in Ashland. Haleigh Martin works as the communications manager for KS Wild. For more information go to kswild.org.
