National Trails Day, established by the American Hiking Society in 1993, takes place annually on the first Saturday in June. Designed by Magnific

 

WILLOWS, CA (MPG) - Mendocino National Forest officials are inviting community members to take part in National Trails Day events June 5 and 6 across the forest.

National Trails Day, established by the American Hiking Society in 1993, takes place annually on the first Saturday in June. The event brings together land managers, volunteers and partners to celebrate public trails and complete maintenance projects.

Forest officials said volunteers will help improve trail safety, accessibility and maintenance during several projects scheduled throughout the forest. All ages are welcome to participate.

The first event, the Snow Mountain Wilderness Waterfall Hike, will take place Friday, June 5, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the West Crockett Trailhead. Participants will hike to Middle Fork Falls, learn about the trail’s history and assist with trail maintenance. Forest staff also will demonstrate the use of crosscut saws.

The guided hike covers 2.5 miles each way. Participants may meet at the trailhead at 10:30 a.m. or caravan with Forest Service staff from the Supervisor’s Office in Willows at 8 a.m.

On Saturday, June 6, the Stonyford OHV Trail Stewardship project will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Stonyford Work Center. Volunteers will ride and work along 20 miles of mixed-use trails using motorcycles, side-by-sides or four-wheel-drive vehicles. The day begins with check-in and a safety briefing.

Also on June 6, volunteers can join the Lake Pillsbury Nature Trail project from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Sunset Campground. Participants will help clear trails and restore trail tread on a half-mile nature loop near Lake Pillsbury.

Forest officials recommend volunteers arrange their own transportation. Many forest roads are dirt or native surface roads, and officials recommend high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles.

Participants should bring lunch, water, snacks, gloves, sunscreen and a hat. Officials also recommend long sleeves and closed-toe boots because some trails may be steep, uneven or blocked by downed trees.

The Forest Service also designated June 6 as a fee-free day at standard amenity recreation sites on Forest Service lands in recognition of National Trails Day. The waiver does not apply to expanded amenity fees, reservation fees, special recreation permits or concessionaire charges.

According to the Forest Service, the agency manages more than 165,000 miles of trails nationwide. In 2025, volunteers and partner organizations completed nearly 26,000 miles of trail maintenance work, accounting for more than 60% of trail maintenance accomplishments.

More information is available from Laura Leidner at [email protected] or online at www.fs.usda.gov/r05/mendocino