According to the Wilderness Act of 1964 "Wilderness is a place where the earth and its community of life are untrampeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain," (Wilderness Act 1964). 

The Soda Mountain Wilderness was added to the National Wilderness Preservation System by the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-11, March 30, 2009). Public Law 111-11 designated 24,100 acres of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument (CSNM) as wilderness. (Soda Mountain Wilderness Stewardship Plan and Environmental Assessment /c BLM, Medford District Office. Medford, Or.: BLM, Medford District Office, 2011. Blm.gov. Web. 19 May 2015.) 

 The BLM identifies approximately 80 miles of former vehicle routes (including system and non- inventoried roads) on the 24,152 acres of public lands within the Soda Mountain Wilderness. These roads have been decommissioned. (Soda Mountain Wilderness Stewardship Plan and Environmental Assessment /c BLM, Medford District Office. Medford, Or.: BLM, Medford District Office, 2011. Blm.gov. Web. 19 May 2015.) With exception to 240 acres of privately owned land completely surrounded by wilderness. The BLM is currently working on purchasing it.   

 The above picture is the parking lot and trail head to Pilot Rock. 

"Plant communities in the Soda Mountain Wilderness present a rich arrangement of grass and shrublands, Gary and California Black Oak Woodlands, Juniper scablands, mixed Conifer forests, and wet meadows."(BLM 2015) There was no sign of any streams due to the lack of snow fall this year; 2015. "Stream bottoms support broad-leaf deciduous riparian trees and shrubs. Special plant communities include Rosaceous Chaparral and Oak-Juniper Woodlands. Rare and endemic plants include Greene’s Mariposa Lily,  Gentner’s Fritillary, and Belliger’s meadow foam." (BLM 2015) I did see some of the Greene's Mariposa Lily and Belliger's meadow foam, it was white. "Animal species of interest include one of the highest diversities of butterfly species in the United States. The Jenny Creek portion of the SMW (and the CSNM) is a significant center of fresh water snail diversity, and is home to three endemic fish species, including a long-isolated stock of redband trout. The SMW contains important populations of small mammals, reptile and amphibian species, and ungulates. Bird species include, the threatened Northern Spotted owl, Western Bluebird, Western Meadowlark, Pileated Woodpecker, Flammulated owl, and Pygmy Nuthatch." (Soda Mountain Wilderness Stewardship Plan and Environmental Assessment /c BLM, Medford District Office. Medford, Or.: BLM, Medford District Office, 2011. Blm.gov. Web. 19 May 2015.

I noticed some signs saying to stay on the trail and that there was habitat restoration in progress. I was kind of disoriented, because the last time I went up to Pilot Rock I took a different route. But It had looked like the BLM had put in a new trail so, I followed the new trail.

I observed deer, a jackrabbit and several types of birds. I even heard a humming bird, I did not expect hummingbirds so high in the mountains. 

The weather could not make up its mind. When I first showed up around 4:30pm, I noticed clouds surrounded Pilot Rock. It was 55 degrees and it felt like it. The clouds would come and go as they pleased. When I arrived at the base of Pilot Rock I found it clear and inviting, saying "Come on up! The weather is fine"!. But in reality, my mind was saying, Turn around and quit being stupid! If you fall off this thing, you'll die!" But I often times ignore that part of my brain. 

At the top, I was awestruck by the Lords Creativeness!

I was awestruck by the beauty of Gods creation surrounding me.  

Isaiah 49:13English Standard Version (ESV)

13 Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth;
    break forth, O mountains, into singing!
For the Lord has comforted his people
    and will have compassion on his afflicted (English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.)

There were so many sweet smelling things in the air, I could hardly contain myself. A hand sawed tree stump, on the trail, smelled so good! I could sit there for hours and smell it. If someone saw me hunched over they would prbably avoid me at all costs. The stump reminded me of the cedar wood roof shingles my Dad used to sell when I was a kid. However it smelled tens times better! It is a, "You would have to be there" type thing. It smelled better than a thousand dollar perfume. It had been raining for the last few days, so the earth was fresh. There is nothing like the amalgamation of decomposing forest matter and wild flowers, after a fresh rain. God is truly a Master Designer. I feel so at home and at peace in His creation. To commune with Him in such a natural place, not surrounded by man made noise or distraction, is a true form of meditation. 

At peace and a few times brought to tears of joy.

I had noticed that this part of the trail had been washed out and was a little cumbersome climbing over it. I felt as if it were going to produce another rock slide and some how trap me. This is what I like to call, "Four appendage driving "or "The rule of three"; Always keep three points of contact, at all times. 

But then I was distracted by the symmetry of the rocks.

This shot is looking straight up!

 Good bye for now Soda Mountain Wilderness! You are worth protecting and preserving!

Peace be with you!