Collings Mountain Trail

This trail features views of the Siskiyou Crest and Applegate Lake and passes an inactive Bigfoot Trap and a number of mine adits (tunnels with one entrance). Named for two brothers who mined in this vicinity during the 1850s and 1860s. Beginning across the street from Hart-tish Park, the trail drops down to Grouse Creek. An abandoned miners cabin and an inactive Sasquatch (Bigfoot) trap are encountered about 0.75 mile up the trail. Several mine adits are found along the trail. Leaving Grouse Creek, the trail climbs steeply for one mile to the ridge top, gaining 1,000 foot elevation, and begins a long traverse of the western slope of Collings Mountain. Excellent panoramic views of the Applegate Lake and the Siskiyou Crest are seen at several locations along the trail. Trees encountered along the trail include old growth Douglas fir, sugar pine and ponderosa pine. Pacific madrone, white oak and Saddler oak can also be found. Silk tassle and manzanita are common brush species. After traversing below the ridge line for 2 miles, the trail then descends steadily for 3 miles to Watkins Campground. The last 0.5 mile of trail passes through the 62 acre Watkins fire that burned in 1981.