Reclaiming the Trail in the Yolla Bolly – Middle Eel Wilderness
Supported by the Rose Foundation, Shasta-Trinity, and Mendocino national forests
In early October, a team of ten California Conservation Corps members and crew leaders joined forces with the Bigfoot Trail Alliance to restore a rugged stretch of the Ides Cove Loop Trail deep within the Yolla Bolly Wilderness. Over eight crisp autumn days, the crew reclaimed two miles of trail—a modest distance on paper, but a major victory in practice.

These trails have not seen maintenance in many years, and the wilderness had fully reclaimed them. Every step required cutting through dense brush, sawing through fallen trees, and reshaping eroded tread buried under seasons of windfall and regrowth. What the crew accomplished represents hundreds of careful decisions and thousands of strokes with crosscut saws and Pulaskis—the slow, deliberate art of bringing a wild trail back to life.

A Week of Dedication and Hard Work
Working entirely with hand tools—crosscut saws, axes, loppers, Pulaskis, hand saws, and McLeods—the team cleared and retreaded two miles of trail, removing 102 downed logs that blocked safe passage:
- 42 small logs (1–12 inches in diameter)
- 51 medium logs (12–24 inches)
- 9 large logs (over 24 inches)
Each log removed reopened a segment of forgotten trail, reconnecting hikers to the high-country forests of fir, pine, and oak that define this remote corner of the Klamath Mountains.





Tools, Teamwork, and Tenacity
From sunrise safety briefings to the steady rhythm of saws and the scent of fresh-cut wood, the week embodied the essence of wilderness stewardship. Equipped with full PPE—hard hats, gloves, leather boots, and protective eyewear—the team modeled the professionalism and spirit that define the CCC program. No injuries or near misses were reported, a testament to their skill and communication.
Crew Leaders Petr Fleischmann and Jacob Shinners guided the group through difficult conditions with precision and patience, ensuring that every foot of trail met U.S. Forest Service standards. The section near Horseman Trailhead saw additional lopping and brushing—laying the groundwork for future restoration efforts.
From CCC Backcountry to the Next Chapter
While these participants were not part of the official CCC Backcountry Trails Program, each of them had just completed that life-changing summer experience. The CCC leaders helped us recruit these young adults as a meaningful next step after their months in the wilderness—continuing their journey of growth, stewardship, and service to public lands.
In many ways, this project represents the bridge between programs: a space where lessons learned in the high country meet real-world application on some of California’s most neglected trails. Through sweat, teamwork, and perseverance, these young people are not just maintaining trails—they are building character, resilience, and purpose that will guide them far beyond the Yolla Bolly.
A Continuum of Care
This project builds on the work we began earlier this summer, when volunteers and youth crews first started reclaiming the Yolla Bolly after years of neglect.
👉 Read about that earlier effort here.
Together, these projects form a living thread of continuity—proof that even the most remote trails can be reborn through dedication, teamwork, and persistence.
Reviving a Path, Strengthening a Partnership
The CCC Collaborative continues to showcase the power of partnership: restoring trails, building skills, and strengthening connections between people and wild places. Each mile of reopened trail is a story of commitment—of young people learning the rhythms of the land and the satisfaction of stewardship.
From Ides Cove to Horseman Trailhead, this crew left behind more than a cleared path; they left a promise—that the Yolla Bolly will continue to welcome those willing to journey into its quiet, rugged heart.

Prepared in collaboration with:
Shasta-Trinity and Mendocino National Forests
Yolla Bolly Wilderness – October 1–8, 2025
Project Leads:
Petr Fleischmann & Jacob Shinners
Thank you, all of you, for working on these trails. I have been on this side of the Yolla Bollies, hiking with both a backpack and with miniature donkeys. It is a beautiful and little used area and I’m happy to know that it’s being restored.