Please register or login . You'll also find fragile mountain meadows, open glades, shallow lakes and the Wild and Scenic South Fork of the Smith River which forms a large portion of the western boundary. Clear Creek and the headwaters of the East Fork of the Illinois River flow perennially through the Wilderness. Summer populations of steelhead attract anglers. The area is noted for its great diversity of plant life that includes one of the world's largest concentrations of lily species and perhaps as many as 20 different species of conifers.
Forage is limited, and stock users are advised to carry feed.
Summers are usually very warm, but cold can strike any night of the year and severe storms are common year-round. The Clear Creek National Recreation Trail crosses 20.5 miles of the northern portion and provides access to some of the more scenic parts of the Wilderness. Human use is light and concentrated on the trails that lead to lakes. Much of the area is untrailed and difficult to access cross-country due to the dense brush. Many authorities on the subject suspect Bigfoot could be hiding out in the untrammeled regions.