Ascend Wilderness Experience

05/26/2026

This Memorial Day Weekend, an incredible group of youth (18!) and mentors (6) came together at the edge of the Marble Mountain Wilderness to give back to the land through stewardship, hard work, and community.
Over the course of the trip, crews worked roughly 7.5 miles of trails, removed around 20 downed trees, brushed overgrown sections, and repaired about a mile of tread — helping keep these wild landscapes accessible for future hikers and stewards.
But the weekend was about much more than trail work.
Young people learned wilderness skills, trail stewardship, teamwork, Leave No Trace ethics, and what it means to care for public lands. Evenings were spent sharing meals, stories, laughter, and campfire conversations beneath the stars.
Programs like this remind us that stewardship is not just about maintaining trails — it is about building the next generation of people who feel connected to these mountains and responsible for their future.
Huge thanks to all the volunteers, mentors, partners, and especially our amazing youth participants who showed up ready to work, learn, and grow together.
The trail is better today because of your effort.

05/19/2026

A huge thank you to everyone who applied for the Ascend Wilderness Experience programs this summer!!!

Every application represents someone ready to step outside, challenge themselves, build community, and experience the kind of growth that only happens in wild places. Seeing so many people eager to spend time in the mountains, on the trails, and under the stars reminds us why this work matters so much.

This summer is shaping up to be one of our most exciting yet, with our Science Trip, Stockmanship Trip, and three Teen Stewardship Trips all coming up in the months ahead. We’re incredibly excited to watch youth and adults alike connect with the land, learn new skills, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

There are still a couple of spots remaining on our Adult Wilderness Stewardship Trip in the Marble Mountains from May 31 - June 6 for anyone looking to join us for a week of trail work, wilderness, and community. Sign up on www.ascendwilderness.org

We can’t wait to see everyone out in the backcountry this summer. The mountains are calling, the trails are waiting, and adventure is just around the corner.

05/12/2026

Last weekend, the Klamath Mountains Workforce Training Network (KMWTN) completed its final workshop of the 2025-2026 field season in beautiful Forks of Salmon, CA.
This action-packed "Plants, Fire, & Fisheries" workshop was hosted by KMWTN partners Salmon River Restoration Council & the Karuk Tribe Department of Natural Resources / Pikyav Field Institute.
Participants worked as teams to gather data, assess vegetation types, monitor salmonid populations, & learn the real-time restoration skills necessary to leave this special place better than they found it.
Generous support from the Klamath River Fund at Humboldt Area Foundation / Wild Rivers Community Foundation, S.H. Cowell Foundation, & the Redding Rancheria Community Fund at the Community Foundation of the North State removed barriers to participation, covering travel expenses & providing facilitators & participants with stipends, honoraria, & nourishing meals (prepared by lowkey legend Cal-Salmon Catering ).
The KMWTN is an innovative collaborative drawing on the expertise of Tribal, education, & NGO partners (including Ascend Wilderness Experience, Bigfoot Trail Alliance, Salmon River Restoration Council, Scott River Watershed Council, The Watershed Research and Training Center, & Trinity County RCD), coordinating with workforce pathway programs like SiskiyouWorks & Trinity Together: Cradle to Career Partnership to ensure graduates have the tools & mentorship to pursue meaningful careers in conservation & natural resource management.
Learn more & sign up to participate in the next field season at- https://www.bigfoottrail.org/youth.../workforce-training/

05/12/2026

This July, Ascend Wilderness Experience is taking youth into the outdoors for two unforgettable adventures focused on leadership, stewardship, connection, and personal growth. Participants will build confidence, learn backcountry skills, work together as a team, and experience the incredible beauty of wilderness firsthand.

From hiking and camping to conservation projects and campfire conversations, these trips are designed to help young people disconnect from screens and reconnect with nature, community, and themselves.

Spots are limited, and we’re excited to welcome the next generation of wilderness stewards this summer.

Deadline to register is May 18th!

05/04/2026

Ascend Wilderness Experience’s Adult Backcountry Stewardship Trip (May 31–June 6) offers a unique, NO-COST opportunity to spend a week deep in the wilderness, combining hands-on trail work with a fully immersive backcountry experience. Under the guidance of seasoned leaders, participants will develop practical stewardship skills while living and working together in a remote setting.

More than just a volunteer trip, this experience is about building meaningful connections with fellow participants, with the land, and with the shared responsibility of protecting public spaces. It’s a chance to disconnect from daily routines, push your limits, and contribute to something lasting in a truly wild environment.

The deadline to apply is May 15. Scan the QR code above or go to our website at www.ascendwilderness.org to learn more and submit your application.

04/21/2026

We are proud of our partnership with U.S. Forest Service - Shasta-Trinity National Forest and are looking forward to many more seasons of amazing work with amazing people!

04/20/2026

Ascend Wilderness Experience's 2026 season of Teen Stewardship and Science Trips is open for registration to all teens, offering local youth hands-on opportunities to work, learn, and explore in the backcountry of the Klamath Mountains and Trinity Alps.

This year’s teen program includes five trips:

May 23–25 – Marble Mountain Stewardship Weekend (3 Days): Teens will work to rehabilitate sections of the Let’Er Buck and Stanshaw trails within the McCash Fire footprint, helping prepare these routes for continued restoration efforts and future backcountry access.

June 21–27 – Trinity Alps Teen Trail Crew (7 Days): Teen interns will continue ongoing trail restoration in the Boulder Lakes area, focusing on rebuilding systems impacted by the River Complex Fire and supporting long-term recovery of this popular wilderness destination.

July 6–10 – Teen Field Science, Klamath Mountains (5 Days): Participants will work alongside professional scientists studying amphibians, aquatic ecosystems, insects, and plant life, contributing to active research and habitat restoration efforts.

July 27–31 – Klamath Mountains Teen Trail Crew (5 Days): Teens will focus on post-fire trail repair and drainage improvements to protect fragile soils, support ecosystem recovery, and maintain safe wilderness access.

August 3–9 – Stockmanship & Stewardship Trip (7 Days): Teen interns will gain hands-on experience working with pack animals while assisting with trail maintenance and campsite restoration in remote backcountry settings.

Through these programs, Ascend continues its mission to connect youth with public lands by building skills, confidence, and a lasting sense of stewardship through meaningful, place-based experiences. All teen trips are free of cost, include guides, food, and transportation. For more information call 530-739-1177 or visit our website at www.ascendwilderness.org.

04/13/2026

Ascend Wilderness Experience’s Adult Backcountry Stewardship Trip (May 31–June 6) invites participants into a fully immersive week of backcountry living and service at no cost to the participants. Guided by experienced leaders, volunteers will build practical trail skills while camping in a remote wilderness setting and working as a cohesive team.

Beyond the work itself, the trip fosters connection to one another, to the landscape, and to the shared purpose of caring for public lands. It’s an opportunity to unplug, challenge yourself, and be part of something meaningful in a truly wild place.

Use the QR code or visit https://ascendwilderness.org/trip-schedule/questions-registration-follow-up/ to apply and get more information.

04/07/2026

Registration is now open for Ascend’s 2026 Summer Programming! Youth, teens, and adults are invited to join us for a season of backpacking, stewardship, and hands-on outdoor experiences across the Trinity Alps and Klamath Mountains.

Registration Open: Ascend Summer Trips

Apply for ALL trips here:

https://ascendwilderness.org/trip-schedule/questions-registration-follow-up/

Ascend Wilderness Experience is excited to announce that registration is now open for ALL of Ascend’s teen, youth, and adult wilderness trips, with a quick turnaround for two early-season opportunities over Memorial Day and into the first week of June.

Kicking things off is our Teen Marble Mountains Stewardship Trip this Memorial Weekend (May 23–25), where 12–15 teen interns will rehabilitate the Let’Er Buck and Stanshaw trails within the McCash Fire footprint. This important work will prepare the trails for stock access, supporting continued restoration efforts in partnership with U.S. Forest Service - Six Rivers National Forest staff and the Bigfoot Trail Alliance. This trip is a catered car-camping style trip.

Following this effort, Ascend will host a 7-day Adult Stewardship Trip (May 31–June 6) in the Marble Mountain Wilderness. Volunteers will work along the Haypress Trail and nearby routes, completing critical maintenance such as log removal, brush clearing, tread repair, and corridor restoration. This immersive backcountry experience combines meaningful conservation work with time spent in one of Northern California’s most rugged and beautiful landscapes.

Both trips are free, provide everything necessary, including gear, food, transportation, and trained guidance. Teen internships offer resume-building skills alongside peers and an appreciation stipend. Spaces are limited for both trips, and early registration is strongly encouraged.

For ALL other trip descriptions, visit:

https://ascendwilderness.org/trip-schedule/

12/31/2025

As we come to the close of this year, we are filled with deep gratitude for every person who supported Ascend Wilderness Experience, our donors, volunteers, partners, families, and the incredible youth who continue to inspire us. Because of you, young people were able to step into wild places, build confidence, learn stewardship, and form lasting connections to the land and to one another. Your belief in this work makes access to meaningful outdoor experiences possible, and we do not take that lightly whatsoever; in fact, we cherish it.

Looking ahead to 2026, we are filled with hope and excitement for what’s to come. We envision a year of growth, opportunity, and continued connection with more youth on the trail, more hands caring for our public lands, and more moments of discovery and belonging in the outdoors. Thank you for walking alongside us here at Ascend Wilderness Experience. Together, we’re building a future rooted in stewardship, resilience, and a shared love for wild places.

Ascend would also like to give recognition to our sister organizations and partners throughout the region; they deserve a big thank you from us.

Backcountry Horsemen of California Shasta-Trinity Unit
U.S. Forest Service - Shasta-Trinity National Forest
Trinity Together: Cradle to Career Partnership
The Watershed Research and Training Center
Trinity County RCD
Bigfoot Trail Alliance
U.S. Forest Service - Six Rivers National Forest
and many more...

Photos are some of Ascend's favorites from 2025.