July 6, 2007
Klamath and Siskiyou Mountains
Most of southwestern Oregon is a jumbled mass of ancient mountains cut by scenic river canyons. These mountains are much older than the better-known Cascades or Wallowas, and their peculiar geology and botany are a large part of their charm. Unique soils and millions of years of isolation have resulted in Oregon's greatest concentration of rare and unusual plants. This region is truly a botanist's paradise.
In the Kalmiopsis Wilderness, millions of years of erosion have left relatively low mountains and very steep canyons. Early miners and other trail builders saw no need to ease the difficulty of getting in and out of these steep canyons with such amenities as switchbacks. The idea was to get there by the shortest possible route, and if that meant paths that would make a mountain goat think twice, then so be it. Ridge routes are easier, although often rocky. More famous—and crowded—than the mountains are the spectacular canyons of the Rogue, Illinois, and Chetco rivers.
The higher Siskiyou Mountains to the east are friendlier terrain for hikers. They feature less steep trails, small lakes, diverse forests, and cooler summer temperatures. Both ranges provide lots of solitude, wildflowers, and surprisingly abundant wildlife.
