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Forest Service staff joined volunteers to cut fallen logs out of off-highway trails as part of a trail revival work event at Upper Lake Ranger District, Mendocino National Forest, May 3, 2025. USDA Forest Service photos by Derrick Ray.
MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. — Each year thousands of visitors travel to the Mendocino National Forest, looking to escape the grind and craving adventure.
With its rugged off-road trails, scenic vistas and proximity to Sacramento and the Bay Area, the national forest has become a world-class destination in the off-road and overlanding communities.
But in 2018, a devastating wildfire destroyed much of the trail system in the southern half of the forest. And subsequent years of severe winter storms and bark beetle infestation have also taken a toll on these trails and roads.
So on May 3, 64 volunteers mobilized for a trail revival project organized by the Mendocino 4x4 Club, Post Wildfire OHV Recovery Alliance, and onX Offroad.
“We are super pumped!” said Forest Service OHV Recreation Tech Derrick Ray in a welcome to volunteers as they gathered gear and supplies for a day on the trails.
It’s been a monumental effort by staff, partners and local volunteers to keep this premiere trail system open and safe for riders.
After the fires, volunteer groups reached out to support the USDA Forest Service and used official partnership agreements to ramp up their capacity.
This year, several volunteers received chainsaw training and certification to safely operate saws on Forest Service trails, a huge step forward for safety and public access.
It takes hard work and dedication to maintain a trail system that rises from creeks to mountain ridgetops through chaparral, oak woodland, and conifer forests. Add to that the constant job of clearing brush from trails and removing downed trees that fall during frequent high winds.
“After the Ranch Fire in 2018 burned through basically every trail on the district, the only way we are going to succeed with our OHV program is with volunteers,” said Deputy District Ranger Terry Nickerson.
After a solid day’s effort, volunteers cleared 21 miles of trails and put in a collective 170 hours of work. And that’s just one day’s worth of trail clearing. Through much of the fall and spring riding seasons, riders will continue to volunteer and help clear trails.
A volunteer prunes overgrown shrubs off of trail for better visibility and safer riding conditions as part of a trail revival work event at Upper Lake Ranger District, Mendocino National Forest, May 3, 2025. USDA Forest Service photos by Derrick Ray.
Trails for all levels
Along the North Coast Mountains, there are plenty of destinations for riders to explore, whether on a dirt bike, motorcycle, side by side, dual sport or Jeep. Look for beginner level green trails to challenging blue trails, to the most challenging black diamond trails.
But don’t get too distracted by the views and historic fire lookouts. When you’re out riding, be aware of your surroundings and anticipate other riders or downed trees around the corner. Anyone visiting the forest should check the website alerts for potential closures and stop by a ranger station to get the latest on trail conditions.
“These trails are a world class OHV destination,” said Nickerson. “We ask everyone to practice responsible riding and to leave the facilities better than you found them, so they can be enjoyed by the next person.”
Anyone interested in volunteering to help with trail maintenance can reach out to the forest and district offices to learn about upcoming opportunities.
Volunteers at a trail revival work event at Upper Lake Ranger District, Mendocino National Forest, May 3, 2025. USDA Forest Service photos by Derrick Ray.
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Demonstrators gather in Old Courthouse Museum Square park in downtown Lakeport, California, as part of the “No Kings Nationwide Day of Defiance” on Saturday, June 14, 2025. Photo by Elizabeth Larson/Lake County News.
LAKEPORT, Calif. — A group of peaceful but persistent protesters gathered in downtown Lakeport on Saturday to demonstrate against attacks on democracy.
The Saturday demonstration, parts of the “No Kings Nationwide Day of Defiance,” took place from noon to 2 p.m. It was centered at the Old Courthouse Museum Square park.
People of all ages — from small children up to people in their 90s — filled the park and also lined the sidewalk on the opposite side of the street, with participants also extending further down Main Street. They came with an array of signs with messages criticizing the Trump administration and its policies.
This is the fourth major demonstration that’s been held in downtown Lakeport since the start of the year.
A previous event, a “Hands Off” protest held April 5 at the same location as part of a previous nationwide effort, was estimated to have had about 650 participants, double the size of the demonstration that had come before it.
This time, reports from the scene and attendees estimated that the number of participants was close to 1,200 people. At that size, the demonstration is among the largest recorded in Lake County in recent decades.
The newly formed nonpartisan Indivisible Lake County supported the event, organized by the Lake County Democratic Club.
Early on Saturday afternoon, a group of Trump supporters in vehicles sporting pro-Trump and State of Jefferson flags, drove through downtown Kelseyville before traveling to Lakeport, passing the downtown demonstration.
Lakeport’s protest event was among an estimated 2,000 across all 50 states, coinciding with a military parade in Washington, DC as part of the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army.
Firm attendance numbers at the demonstrations have so far not been given, but estimates have ranged from five million to 11 million participants.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Firefighters rescued a man from Clear Lake near Lakeport on Saturday night.
Lakeport Fire Protection District was dispatched to the 2700 block of Lakeshore Boulevard near Crystal Lake Way just after 9:30 p.m. Saturday, according to radio traffic.
Dispatch reported receiving multiple calls about a man in the water screaming for help.
Scanner traffic indicated firefighters on jet skis launched from the Fifth Street boat ramp and responded to the area. The subject in trouble may have been associated with a kayak.
At about 9:45 p.m., the Lakeport Fire chief reported over the air that they had the subject secured on a rope up against a shore wall. Less than five minutes later, the individual had been pulled from the water.
Fire officials said over the air that the subject was transported to Sutter Lakeside Hospital for care just before 10 p.m.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — A week after more than half of its shelter occupants were sent to new homes, Lake County Animal Care and Control has a new group of animals waiting to be adopted.
The dogs available for adoption this week run the gamut from puppies to adults, small terriers to larger breeds.
Dogs that are adopted from Lake County Animal Care and Control are either neutered or spayed, microchipped and, if old enough, given a rabies shot and county license before being released to their new owner. License fees do not apply to residents of the cities of Lakeport or Clearlake.
Those dogs and the others shown on this page at the Lake County Animal Care and Control shelter have been cleared for adoption.
Call Lake County Animal Care and Control at 707-263-0278 or visit the shelter online for information on visiting or adopting.
The shelter is located at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson