The Collings Mountain Trail features views of the Siskiyou Crest and Applegate Lake and passes an inactive Big Foot Trap as well as a number of mine adits. Named for two brothers who mined this vicinity during the 1850′s and 1860′s, this trail offers a variety of recreational and educational opportunities.

Beginning at the Hart-Tish Park picnic area, the trail crosses Upper Applegate Road and drops down to Grouse Creek. An abandoned miner’s cabin and the inactive Sasquatch trap are encountered about 3/4 mile up the trail. Please do not enter any of the mine adits along the trail. Leaving Grouse Creek, the trail climbs steeply for one mile to the ridgetop, gaining 1,000 feet in elevation and begins a long traverse of the western slope of Collings Mountain. Trees encountered along the trail include old growth Douglas fir, sugar pine, ponderosa pine, Saddler Oak, White Oak and Pacific madrone. Silk tassel and Manzanita are commonly found brush species. After traversing below the ridgeline for two miles, the trail then descends steadily for three miles to Watkins Campground. This last half mile of trail passes through the 62 acre Watkins fire that burned in 1981.

Beware of Poison Oak, ticks and snakes along this trail.

Facility Type: Trail