Snowshoeing plans had to be cancelled due to lack of snow. So, we hiked to the historic Buck Rock Tunnel in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. The trailhead is accessed by turning onto Buckhorn Springs Road off Highway 66, then right onto Emigrant Creek Road, and then it is about 2 miles to the yellow gate on the right. The parking area is on the left.
Our big group of 23 went around the yellow gate and hiked around 2 miles up the hill. On the way Joe explored a side trail but ran into snow. Often this trail is muddy and hikers were prepared for the cold, but the trail was dry and it was a sunny, warm day.
At approximately 2 miles there is an unmarked trail on the left that climbs up the hill to the west tunnel entrance. The trail up the hill was slick and muddy on the steepest part. Looking into the tunnel, we were impressed with the hard work that Chinese laborers did with picks and explosives. This tunnel was started in November 1883, and abandoned in February 1884, according to the Southern Oregon Historical Society.
The tunnel goes back around 150’ with an upper area back another 50’. The entrance is large enough for train cars or our entire hiking group. We had lunch at the tunnel entrance contemplating this historical site. Then we returned down the trail on an oddly warm day in January.
Total mileage – 4 miles, elevation gain 620’.
Kay
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