In October 2025, a crew of recent CCC Backcountry Trails Program graduates joined the Bigfoot Trail Alliance to restore two rugged miles of the Ides Cove Loop Trail in the Yolla Bolly Wilderness—reviving long-lost tread, removing 102 fallen logs, and continuing a legacy of stewardship, resilience, and connection to wild places.
Restoring Wild Pathways: September Trailwork Update
The Bigfoot Trail Alliance crew restored 4.6 miles of trail this month, clearing 98 logs and repairing damaged tread on the Gunbarrel and South Kelsey Trails. Three crew members contributed over 200 hours, supported by BFTA funds. Every mile reopened reconnects people with the wild heart of the Klamath Mountains.
Reestablishing the Hazel Trail: A Partnership Rooted in History and Culture
The Bigfoot Trail Alliance joined the Hoopa Valley TANF Program, elders, and youth to restore a historic hazel trail in the Klamath Mountains. Long used for basketry, hazel connects culture and ecology. Reviving the trail renewed access, strengthened traditions, and deepened relationships across generations.
Ken Graves and the Heart of Backcountry Trail Work
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.
Bringing Back the McNeil Creek Trail
In June, Bigfoot Trail Alliance volunteers, supported by the Klamath National Forest, restored 6 miles of McNeil Creek Trail in the Trinity Alps Wilderness. Battling downed trees and fire-damaged tread, the crew re-established access to this remote and scenic stretch of the Bigfoot Trail through dedicated backcountry trail work.
Trail Work in the Marble Mountains
The Bigfoot Trail Alliance crew cleared 4.5 miles of trail from Lover’s Camp to Marble Valley, removing 56 logs—including a massive 46-inch cedar. Though snow blocked access to Wooley Creek, the team rerouted efforts to clear nearby trails, including Sky High Lakes and Little Marble Valley, ensuring safer access for hikers.
Brushing Trails and Building Bonds
The Bigfoot Trail Alliance’s 2025 long weekend trail series wrapped up with a rewarding trip to the Lost Coast. Volunteers of all ages and backgrounds joined together for trail maintenance, campfire camaraderie, and community building—proving that even short trips can forge deep connections and make a big difference on the trail.
