Mendocino National Forest

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Wilderness Areas

[Photo]: In the Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness.Two Wilderness areas are partly or wholly managed by the Mendocino National Forest. Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness (Northern boundaries of the Forest) and Snow Mountain Wilderness (South East section of the Forest).

New Wilderness Legislation

The Northern California Wilderness Heritage Act (pdf 58kb) was signed into law by the President on October 17, 2006. This legislation adds areas to both the Yolla Bolly - Middle Eel Wilderness and Snow Mountain Wilderness, and establishes two new wilderness areas on the Mendocino National Forest - Yuki Wilderness and Sanhedrin Wilderness (Yuki also includes Bureau of Land Management lands). The legislation also establishes 'Wild' or 'Scenic' status for portions of the Black Butte River and Cold Creek. More information about this legislation and its history can be found at http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h109-233.

Proposal maps of the areas covered by the legislation:
(Final versions will be posted as they become available.)

Wilderness Permits

Individual Use Permits are not required to enter the Wilderness areas on the Mendocino National Forest, although we suggest you sign in at the trail heads. During fire season, you will need a valid California Campfire Permit to use a backpacking stove, build a fire, or use any type of flame. Also check with the nearest Ranger Station before going, to obtain current information and weather conditions on the area. Maximum group size is 25 people/25 stock animals.

Wilderness travel is limited to foot or horseback - NO gliders, bicycles, motorized vehicles, or mechanized equipment of any kind are allowed within the wilderness areas. Wheelchairs are allowed.

Points to Remember in the Wilderness Areas:

  1. Campfire permits are required in the Wilderness for both campfires and all types of stoves. Use of fires and stoves could be restricted during times of high fire danger. Never leave campfires unattended.
  2. LEAVE NO TRACE... practice low impact camping techniques and leave no trace of your passing.
  3. Bring all your unburnable debris out of the Wilderness and take it home for proper disposal.
  4. "Solitude" is the strong attribute here, protect it and respect the rights of others to experience it.
  5. Firearms are permitted in National Forest Wilderness. However, please keep the discharge of firearms to a minimum for the following reasons:
    1. To preserve the sense of solitude for other visitors.
    2. To reduce the disturbance to the movement and feeding habits of wildlife.
    3. Bullet entry holes in trees give insects and disease a way to enter and kill the trees.
    4. DO NOT USE GLASS AS TARGETS!
  6. Your family pet is allowed on the trails within the National Forest Wilderness. However, it must be under that degree of control by you that will insure that it is not a threat to other visitors and to wildlife.
  7. Access roads are often dusty and are of low standards. The trail heads where you park are usually unprotected, that is, not under surveillance by Forest Service or other responsible people. (While vandalism and theft has been rare, it does exist.) Do not leave valuables in your vehicle.
  8. Try to leave a firm trip agenda and your vehicle description and license with a relative or friend who will notify the Forest Service or the County Sheriff if you do not return in the planned time. Please sign in at the self-registration stations found at the trail heads.
(Page Modified 4/30/07)
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[Link]: United States Department of Agriculture national web site. [Link]: Forest Service national web site.