Elk Camp Ridge Trail

Distance: 8.2 miles one way

Elevation: Lower trailhead-2,100 feet, Upper trailhead-3,400 feet

Difficulty: Moderate to steep

Drive time from Gasquet: 20 minutes to lower trailhead, 45 minutes to upper trailhead.

Directions: From Gasquet travel 0.1 mile west on Hwy 199. Turn right at Middle Fork Rd and right at Gasquet Flat Rd. Cross Horace Gasquet Bridge and stay left past Azalea Lane. At the top of the hill turn right at the Gasquet Toll Rd intersection. Follow the Gasquet Toll Rd for 2.4 miles to FS 18N10. Turn left of 18N10 and travel 1.4 miles to the trailhead.

Shuttle: Travel east on Hwy 199 from Gasquet 7.7 miles to Patrick Creek Rd. Turn left and go 3.1 miles on Patrick Creek to a signed junction, follow sign to Gasquet Toll Rd. Travel 0.5 miles across a bridge, turning right onto road #315 (Holiday Rd) and continue 4.25 miles on Holiday Rd. Trailhead is on left. This trail is open to foot, horse, bicycle and motorbike traffic.

Originally a pack train between Crescent City and gold mines in the Illinois Valley in Oregon, this scenic trail presents panoramic views of high Siskiyou Mountain peaks, the ocean, and the North and Middle Forks of Smith River. Vegetation is stunted because of the high mineral content of the underlying serpentine rocks. The first half mile from the lower trailhead was burned over in the Panther Fire of 1996.