Old South Kelsey
- 15.8 mi
- round trip
- 1,496 ft
- climb
- 1,488 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- May–Oct
- best months
Is Old South Kelsey open right now?
No closures listed
The Forest Service lists no closures for Six Rivers National Forest.
As of · Source: USFS · Six Rivers National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Old South Kelsey is a hard hike in the Gasquet Ranger District of Six Rivers National Forest in California, about 16 miles long with a one-way gain of roughly 1,500 feet. It is an out-and-back route that starts at Big Flat campground, about 0.1 mile away, and climbs from a low point of about 470 feet to a high of about 1,488 feet. The route is accessible, and it is open year-round. Bikes and horses are allowed, so it works for riders and pack animals as well as hikers. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Klamath weather station show July and August highs around 66°F with only about two wet days a month, while winter brings highs in the mid-50s and roughly 18 wet days a month. That station sits well below the trail, so temperatures up high run cooler. Redwood Flat and Old South Kelsey Spur D are both within about 2 miles, and Mc Clendon Ford is about 3.4 miles away. Paddlers can head to Rock Creek, about 4.6 miles off.
Local outfitters
- Applegate Trail Rides49 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Best time to go · May–Oct
Best time to visit Old South Kelsey
Best months: May–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
55° / 39°
18 wet
Feb
56° / 39°
16 wet
Mar
57° / 40°
16 wet
Apr
59° / 43°
15 wet
May
61° / 46°
10 wet
Jun
64° / 47°
5 wet
Jul
66° / 53°
2 wet
Aug
66° / 51°
2 wet
Sep
67° / 50°
3 wet
Oct
63° / 45°
7 wet
Nov
58° / 41°
15 wet
Dec
54° / 38°
18 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Klamath, CA, 11.4 mi away at 28 ft. The station sits about 1,500 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
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