Bolt Mountain began forming over 300 million years ago when tectonic plates collided, pushing up ocean floor material and forming a chain of islands. The mountain sits in the biodiverse Klamath-Siskiyou region, with soils derived from serpentinite rock uplifted from the ocean floor. Plants on the serpentine soil, which is low in nutrients, have adapted to its harsh conditions. The 3.2 mile hike to the summit offers views of the landscape and evidence of how it formed over millions of years.

1. History and Visitor Information:History and Visitor Information: . Believe it or not, the origin of Bolt
Mountain began under the sea. About 300 million years ago, the only animals
living where southwestern Oregon is today were sea creatures. At that time,
the coastline of North America was located near present-day Montana. No,
Bolt Mountain did not rise up from the ocean floor from a strike of Poseidon’s
trident, but rather when an oceanic tectonic plate began to slowly crash into
the North American continental tectonic plate from the west about 160
million years ago. The impact resulted in the pushing up of an enormous
amount of material and caused the formation of a long chain of mountainous
islands. Rocks from these ancient islands are today part of the Klamath
Mountains, in which Bolt Mountain is found.
Bolt Mountain is situated in a geologically and biologically rich area known as
the Klamath-Siskiyou Ecoregion. The rocks, soils and corresponding plant
species found on Bolt Mountain display this wealth of biodiversity. A majority
of the soils found on the mountain originate from the rock serpentinite. This
rock was pushed up to the earth’s surface from the ocean floor during the
uplift activity mentioned earlier. Over time, the rock breaks down forming
serpentine soil. Unlike most fertile soils, serpentine lacks calcium, nitrogen and
other vital nutrients which most plants require to grow and thrive. Serpentine
is also high in heavy metals and magnesium. Plants found growing on this soil,
such as the Jeffery Pine, have adapted to tolerate these extreme conditions.
Remember to practice leave no trace principals by staying on the designated
trail on your hike to the summit of Bolt Mountain. Keep an eye out for rocks
with a bluish-green tint and slick-scaly texture. This is serpentinite. Once you
reach the summit. enjoy the 360° view and imagine what this landscape may
have looked like millions of years ago.
Elevation:Elevation: 1,010 ft. —
2,180 ft.
Length:Length: 3.2 mi. one way
Difficulty:Difficulty:
Moderate—Difficult
ActivitiesActivities: Hiking,
mountain biking,
horseback riding.
Motorized vehicles are
prohibited on the trail.
Medford District Bureau of Land
Management
Grants Pass Interagency Office
2164 NE Spalding Ave.
(541) 471-6500
www.blm.gov/or/resources/recreation
Use Season:Use Season: All Year
Fees:Fees: A small fee is
required to park
vehicles at the trailhead
which is located within
Fish Hatchery Park, a
Josephine County Park.
The park also has picnic
tables, outhouses and a
loop trail.
Bolt Mountain Recreation Opportunity Guide
Driving Directions:Driving Directions: From the intersection of Hwy. 199 and 238 in Grants Pass,
proceed on Hwy. 238 towards Murphy. Continue on Hwy. 238 towards Murphy for
1.5 miles then turn right onto New Hope Road. In 3.2 miles, turn right onto Fish
Hatchery Road. Just before the bridge over the Appelgate River, turn right onto
Wetherbee St. which ends in the parking lot for Fish Hatchery Park and Bolt Mt.
Safety Concerns:Safety Concerns: Ticks,
poison oak, rattlesnakes.
Location:Location: T37 S, R6 W,
Sec 9 and 16;
Latitude and Longitude:
42 21 21.44
-123 24 26.50
Facilities:Facilities: Trail

2. Fish Hatchery Rd
Wetherbee Dr
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Legend
Bolt Mtn. Trail
Roads
Streams
Property Status
BLM Ownership
JoCo Ownership
No warranty is made by the Bureau of Land Management as to the accuracy,
reliability, or completeness of these data for individual or aggregate use
with other data. Original data were compiled from various sources and may
be updated without notification.
Current Date: 12/12/2013 03:11:33 PM
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