The first mile of trail from Kelsay Valley Trailhead follows the river as it meanders through a broad, grassy flat. At 2.7 miles, near the Tolo Creek Trail #1466 junction the trail enters Mt. Thielsen Wilderness (this segment is closed to mountain bike use). As the trail climbs toward Lake Lucile and Maidu Lake, you will travel over deep deposits of pumice deposited over 7,700 years ago by the eruption of Mt. Mazama that created Crater Lake. Both of these High Cascades lakes are often stocked with fingerling trout. Lake Lucile covers 9 acres and averages a depth of 15 feet. Maidu Lake, the source of the North Umpqua River, averages a depth of 12 feet and covers 20 acres.

From Maidu Lake, Kelsay Valley Trailhead is 9 miles to the west and Digit Point Trailhead is 4.75 miles to the east at Miller Lake in Fremont-Winema National Forest.

The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail #2000 junction with North Umpqua Trail is about 1 mile southeast of Maidu Lake.

Be prepared for hordes of mosquito's during the late spring and early summer months.