McKie Camp Trail #1089

Dogs Leashed

Features Commonly Backpacked · Spring

The McKie Camp Trail was within the perimeter of either or both the 2008 Lonesome Complex and the 2017 Blanket Creek Fires. These conflagrations dramatically changed the landscape in this area. In 2016, in partnership with REI and the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, the Siskiyou Mountain Club removed approximately 550 logs and brushed around 1.5 miles of the #1089 from Solace Meadows south towards the Pacific Crest Trail, making this section passable once again. BUT: The McKie Camp Trail #1089 north from Solace Meadow WAS NOT RESTORED at this time and may be impassable for the indefinite future. The description here applies only to the restored southern section.

From its junction with the Halifax Trail #1088, the McKie Camp Trail (USFS #1089) runs north, past McKie Shelter, to the Stuart Falls Trail (USFS #1078)—this part of the #1089 was not recently restored—and south to the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT)—this part was restored by the Siskiyou Mountain Club in 2016. Unfortunately, the 2017 Blanket Creek Fire then obliterated the Halifax/McKie junction and obscured the start of the southbound portion of the #1089. But the trail crosses the slope directly east and above the old cabin site, so just climb east until you intersect the faint tread.

From Solace Meadow, the #1089 is faint as it trends southwest past the boundary of the Blanket Creek Fire. Once past that, the trail becomes much easier to see and follow as it climbs, eventually through unburned forest, to meet the PCT at a signed junction just south of Maude Mountain.