In this episode, Ken Graves shares reflections from a lifetime in the saddle, the evolving challenges of maintaining wilderness trails, and why he’s committed to mentoring the next generation of packers. It’s a heartfelt look at the labor, love, and legacy behind trail stewardship.
Reclaiming the Trail: Two Weeks of Wilderness Stewardship in the Yolla Bolly–Middle Eel Wilderness
Over two weeks in the Yolla Bolly–Middle Eel Wilderness, 28 Bigfoot Trail Alliance volunteers restored 6.8 miles of trail from the Ides Cove Trailhead. Supported by the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, Ken Graves, and the Backcountry Horsemen of California, the crew cleared 139 logs and rebuilt fire-damaged trail with hand tools.
Crossing Into the Klamaths: West Low Gap
The Bigfoot Trail Alliance partnered with the Shasta-Trinity National Forest to clear dense whitethorn brush from a key stretch of the West Low Gap Trail, marking the official entry into the Klamath Mountains from the Coast Range. This vital work ensures continued access through a wild and ecologically significant transition zone.
Teen Science Trip
Learn about the Teen Science Trip that engaged local youth with real world science in the backcountry of the Trinity Alps Wilderness.
East Tule Creek Trail
Our collaborate work continues on the Tule Creek Trail. A group of 10 volunteers worked on the trail and found fun and success along the way.
Ascend Wilderness Experience Stewardship project
The Ascend – Bigfoot Trail Stewardship project, a collaboration involving the Bigfoot Trail Alliance and USFS, focused on restoring fire-damaged trails in Shasta-Trinity National Forest. Volunteers and guides worked on Fish Lake and Rush Creek Lake trails, removing logs and retreading. They maintained nearly 15 miles of trail and logged 330 volunteer hours.
Yolla Bolly – Middle Eel Wilderness 2024
A dedicated team of volunteers and leaders worked for over three weeks in the Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness, restoring the Bigfoot Trail and surrounding paths. Supported by the Shasta-Trinity and Mendocino national forests, and aided by horse packer Ken Graves, they made the trails walkable again since 2004.
Spring 2024
This spring, our trip leaders and volunteers cleared, treaded, and lopped nearly 15 miles of trails across the Shasta-Trinity, Klamath, and Six Rivers national forests. Detailed accounts include work on Wooley Creek, Packer Peak Trail, and Canyon Creek, totaling 15.5 miles.
