Help Restore 22 Miles of the Kelsey National Recreation Trail / South Kelsey National Recreation Trail
Each fall, after the California Conservation Corps (CCC) backcountry season ends, the Bigfoot Trail Alliance recruits a small team of outstanding corpsmembers for one final wilderness project. Since 2022, this partnership has restored some of the most remote trails in the Klamath Mountains while continuing the conservation legacy that began with the historic Civilian Conservation Corps.
In 2026, we’re assembling an elite six-person crew led by Jacob Shinners to backpack into the Siskiyou Wilderness and restore 22 miles of the Kelsey National Recreation Trail / South Kelsey National Recreation Trail—one of the most remote sections of the Bigfoot Trail route. This rugged wilderness corridor has become increasingly difficult to access, yet it remains an important link connecting hikers to the heart of the Klamath Mountains.
This project is about more than reopening a trail. It will also prepare the way for future restoration. By opening the route and documenting remaining maintenance needs, we’ll be ready to launch larger restoration efforts in 2027 through the America The Beautiful Foundation’s America 250 Trail Grant Program, for which we’re currently applying. This fall’s expedition is a critical first step toward bringing this remarkable trail corridor back to life.
Each corpsmember will receive:
- A $750 stewardship stipend
- All meals during the project
- A bus ticket home after the trip
We already have $5,000 committed and need to raise $10,000 more to make this expedition possible.
Your donation will directly support stewardship stipends, food, transportation, tools, and the logistics needed to complete this ambitious wilderness restoration project.
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