The Yolla Bolly Middle Eel Wilderness

Frying Pan, the headwaters of the Middle Eel River

In the Wintun Indian language, "Yo-la" meant "snow covered", and "Bo-li" meant "high peak". The second part of this wilderness' name refers to the headwaters of the Middle Fork Eel River which originates in this remote and rugged land.

This wilderness area was first protected in 1931 when it was classified as a primitive area. Further protection was given when this area became part of the National Wilderness Preservative System, created by the passage of the Wilderness Act of 1964. The California Wilderness Act of 1984 added another 42,000 acres to the Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness, for a total of about 150,000 acres.

The Wilderness is roughly oval in shape, being about 19 miles long in the north-south direction and about 24 miles wide in the east-west direction. The majority of the Wilderness lies in two districts of the Mendocino National Forest (Covelo And Corning Ranger Districts). The far northern portion of the Wilderness is in the Yolla Bolly Ranger District of Shasta-Trinity National Forest. To the far west, a part of the Wilderness is in the Mad River Ranger District of Six River National Forest, and the BLM has a small portion of the Wilderness (also on the western edge.)

The lowest point of the Wilderness is along Cotton Creek (2600' elevation). This is just four and a half miles from the highest point, Mt. Linn, at an elevation of 8092 feet. Several other peaks push their way above 7000 feet and provide fine views (weather and smoke permitting) of Mt. Lassen, Mt Shasta, the Trinity Alps, the Kings Range and sometimes the Pacific Ocean.

The forests in this Wilderness are extensive. The principal species are red fir, white fir, douglas-fir, poderosa pine, sugar pine, and incense cedar. Less common species are western juniper, foxtail pine, hemlock, jeffery pine, western white pine, black cottonwood, and a rare yew or two. Other cover types include grasslands--locally known as "glades", wet and dry meadows, oak woodlands and brushlands.

Hammerhorn Ridge, in the Southern Part of the Yolla Bollys

The Yolla Bolly-Middle Eel Wilderness, like the rest of the Coast Range, provides quite a wealth of wildlife. The more abundant game species are: Columbia black tail deer, black bear, wild turkey, grey squirrel, grouse, and quail. Other animals that live in the Wilderness are mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes, ring-tailed cats, raccoons, marten, otters, weasels, chipmunks, and numerous other small species. Eagles, hawks, buzzards, and multitudes of other birdlife find summer homes in this Wilderness (including the Northern Spotted Owl).

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