News Release

For Release:  July 20, 2007       
Contact: Lynda Roush (707) 825-2300 or Jeff Fontana (530) 252-5332
CA-N-07-67

Headwaters Elk River Trail to Re-open July 30

 
The Elk River Trail in the Headwaters Forest Reserve will re-open Monday, July 30, following completion of trail improvements and stabilization projects.

Since late June, crews have been working to improve trail conditions and to reduce sediment flow into Headwaters Forest streams.

Kathy Stangl, the Bureau of Land Management’s Headwaters Forest Reserve manager, said workers reduced grades on the first mile of the trail making it more accessible for those with mobility difficulties.  The section will be paved this fall.

She said trail visitors may also notice that some hillsides above the trail have been re-contoured and that stream crossings have been cleared of debris. These projects, combined with installation of new culverts in several areas, will improve fish habitat through sediment reduction, Stangl said.

The trail re-opening was delayed by 10 days because the culvert and stream crossing repairs were more extensive than had been anticipated, Stangl said.

The Elk River Trail is a five-and-a-half mile route into an old growth redwood grove.  The 11-mile round-trip hike has some moderately steep climbs and should be attempted by those in good physical condition.  There is no fee. Access is limited to daylight hours.

Headwaters visitors can enjoy the southern part of the forest near Fortuna by reserving space on a guided hike along the Salmon Creek Trail.  BLM park rangers lead the hikes and explain features of the forest, including groves of 1,000-year-old redwood trees. To reserve space for a weekend hike or to arrange a special outing, call the BLM Arcata Field Office at (707) 825-2300. 

-BLM-

Arcata Field Office     1695 Heindon Rd.     Arcata, CA  95521