Captain Jack's Stronghold in Klamath Falls

Really cool hike, but its long and hot as heck so bring sunscreen and water! Very informative, and theres even pamphlets near the parking are that help you understand the history. If you are trying to find Big Painted Cave, its quite a hike, and the pictographs are very difficult to see and find, but dont give up! They are there! Keep your eyes peeled for them on the right hand entrance to the cave!

Saw a rattle snake on..05 trail. Trail is extremely difficult for older people.

It was an amazing experience! Make sure to talk do research before you go , this place is full of history! Try to talk to the park rangers out there! They have tons of information and stories!

This is an amazing site. The location of the last American lndian battles. 60 men and their families held up here for months while being attacked by two garrisons of soldiers. They were resisting being shipped like cattle to another tribes reservation. During a parlay General Canby told the Indian council to surrender or he would slaughter them all, men, women and children. Captain Jack, a Modoc Chief pulled his pistol and shot Canby in the face, while telling him " you wont"

If you are doing Lava Beds NM or Tule Lake, this is the place to stop for lunch or dinner. Food is really good and lovely atmosphere.

Delicious food & friendly people! A welcomed stop on the journey across the country.

Great atmosphere, sweet and friendly staff, AMAZING FOOD.

It is a good tour where you find many ancestor evidences

The coolest fort ever! A natural lava fortress that protected the rebel natives for the winter in the 1800s until the army cut their water supply. If it werent for that they could still be there fighting. 🤔

Nice, pretty easy trail to hike on, with some very neat rock structures and terrain changes. We went when it was very smokey due to wildfires, but even then it was neat. Saw some deer hiding in the rocks as well which was fun!

Took the shorter hike and there were still plenty of interesting relics of habation, the lake was at this elevation 150 years ago.

I love it here. I have visited many times. It is a place of solitude. Many visits here I never saw anyone but my family. There are many hiking trails and caves nearby. Also, there are petroglyphs here and there. If I stop and think about it I can smell the sweet smell of sage in late spring and hear the wind flowing by the juniper trees and rocks. It can be SO QUIET.See photo....last known photo of capt jack right before HE WAS HUNG.The history is interesting ----- Capt Jack otherwise known as Kintpuash was a Modoc Chief who had his family/tribal land taken from him and he returned hoping to just live out his life on the land his ancestors lived on --- and where he grew up. Instead he did amazing things to fend off the army and ended up hung.If you drive down through the lava beds you will see where Capt Jack aka Kintpuash unbelievably held off a large army with a small group of Native Americans. It is called "Capt Jacks Stronghold." I suggest you hike it early in the morning or late in the evening if it is summer time because I got heat stroke during a 90+ degree day when the lava made it about 110.This is from Wikipedia (so take it with a grain of saltbut the story lines up with what I know.Kintpuash was born about 1837 into a Modoc family in their ancestral territory near Tule Lake. The Modoc occupied about 5,000 acres here, along what became the California-Oregon border after European settlement.In 1864 Jack and his family still lived in their ancestral home near Tule Lake. Due to the pressure of white settlers who wanted to farm the fertile land and were encroaching in this territory, Kintpuash and his family were among the Modoc removed by the United States to the Klamath Reservation in southwestern Oregon. This was primarily occupied by their traditional rivals, the much larger Klamath tribe. The Klamath outnumbered the newcomers, and the reservation was on traditional Klamath land; the Modoc complained of poor treatment and conflict with the Klamath.In 1865, Kintpuash, by then informally called Captain Jack by American settlers, led a band of Modoc from the reservation back to their home in California. In 1869, the band were rounded up by the United States Army and returned to the Klamath Reservation. Finding conditions had not improved, in April 1870, Captain Jack led a band of about 180 Modoc back to the Tule Lake area.Modoc War, 1872-73In 1872, US Army forces were sent to capture Kintpuashs band and return them to the reservation. On November 29, while their surrender was being negotiated at the Lost River in Oregon, fighting broke out between a soldier and one of the Modoc warriors. The brief Battle of Lost River ensued.

Great food and great hospitality. Hidden gem for sure. The people are lovely and I’ll be back next time im in the area.

Need batter marker, maps. PLEASE !!!@!!!@

Our tour company made special arrangements with the owner to open on their day off for thirty people. THIS PLACE is INCREDIBLE! The front of the house were friendly and entertaining. They could open a comedy club. They make their own bread, fries, chips, desserts and who knows what else. The food was incredible from the horse radish burger to the veggie burger. Cant say enough about this place.

we stopped in for dinner on our way back from the lava beds that day and boy im so glad we did . Huge Shout Out to JEFF for everything! we will return and would love anyone whos passing by this is a must stop. if anything just take the beautiful drive out anyway for a a great meal meal service and vibes.. Thank you Jeff

I am a direct descendant of jack

A hidden gem of a restaurant. Great service. Homey atmosphere and an awesome patio with a great view. Excellent food.

Great hike

Gorgeous and wonderful.Has two routes you can take, one 0.5 miles and one 1.5 miles. I did the shorter one, took about half an hour.

Such awesomeness the caves are worth the drive time

This is an incredible and emotional historical site to visit.

Great adventure

A very impressive landmark. This area is a field of lava formations that served as a fortress during the Modoc War in 1872. Its easy to see how the Modoc warriors could hold off the American army for so long, as the ground is very rough, the rocks are sharp, and there are a ton of natural barriers all over the place.Walking around the stronghold can be a bit difficult. The trail starts off easy enough, but quickly narrows and goes over sharp rocks, around boulders, and through rocky crevasses that can be fairly difficult to get around. Its not terribly challenging if youre in shape, but its not a casual stroll on a paved path by any means.

This is a historical site. The guide books provided at the trail head enhance the 3 mile hike. You can imagine the Modoc Indians fighting for their survival, only to be overwhelmed by the US Army. The lava beds have unique geographic terrain that is beautiful in its own way.

You just gotta go

Good time

One of our nations treasures--a fascinating piece of history! You walk through lava formations where 60 Modoc warriors held off 600 soldiers for 5 months during the Modoc Wars. Unfortunately, the trail is very rugged and should only be attempted by young, nimble people who are part mountain goat. There should be a warning sign at the beginning of the trail, which says the path picks its way through lava rock and down boulders. When we were younger, we walked the trail without too much difficulty. Now, we are in our seventies, with limited mobility, and only made it through the short (half miletrail without breaking a bone by sheer grit and luck--it took us an hour. This trail is in a lonely location, so you should have a hiking partner in case you do fall and hurt yourself. Be sure to pick up a trail guide, which has a narrative, although most of the corresponding numbered posts on the trail are in disrepair and lack, well, NUMBERS. What a shame that in keeping the trail "natural" the park service is excluding many people with limited mobility who could enjoy this area! I realize wheelchairs would be impossible, but a few discreet, natural rock stair steps and hand holds would make it so much safer and accessible. Signage along the trail would also make it a more enjoyable experience.

Amazon little piece of history!!

Really interesting story and insight on the social differences about war between europeans and American indians.

Nice picnic area

Interesting formations

Great place to hike and learn the history of the Modoc people. Make sure you also stop at ice caves and most importantly the petroglyph rock. Amazing!!! If I had a time machine I would go back and give Modocs a few gatling guns and some artillery to level the playing field. We need to teach true history in schools. Let the future generations know what the government did to otherwise peaceful people minding their own business.

Trail is clean parking ample. Trail guides tell you all about the area.

Absolutely amazing and beautiful the day was gorgeous out and the walk was beautiful. I will be back for another beautiful day trip

A great educational experience about a part of our history that has been deliberately forgotten. Beautiful stark, natural environment. Worth spending a few hours minimum.

Ive been coming here since I was a child but it had been many years, the wonder and history of this place is not lost on me, however the number posts could use some repair. Its a short easy hike that is definitely worth the visit. We also saw about 6 deer right at the end as the sun had started going down making it that much more special.

A must see. Bring a flashlight.

This is part of the Lava Beds National Monument where the last of the Native Americans held out against the Calvary. It was an interesting hike, not very difficult, but hard to follow the trail. It only took us about 45 minutes to hike the trail. Bring some water and maybe some snacks. Closed toe shoes would be helpful too as most of the trail is through and on lava.

A beautiful trail with a lot of tough history surrounding it. Worth your time.

A sobering look at our history. Free to get in. Worth the time to do the long trail.

A lonely spot in the wilderness, a sad piece of history. The path was a bit hard to follow, and we could not find all the numbers that went with the self-guided tour brochure. It was well worth the visit and the hike, however. When they recommend sturdy shoes, they mean it. Trekking pokes helpful in getting over the rocks. The shorter loop has all the points of interest. They could improve the signs at the beginning and at all forks so that you could be sure which way to go.

American History. So much that we do not teach to generations that follow us.

❤ the lava beds...

Great place to hike, eat lunch, and relax.

The stats were shining so brightly lit up the Sky

Loved it

A great, short hike. Fun with kids. Lots of history.

Beautiful

A visit and hike through this well documented site greatly expanded our knowledge of the Modoc conflict. The trail is well marked, easy to navigate and loaded with information. The rock formations, blended with the historical markers, made the time spent on the walk pass quickly. Great views and some stunning panoramas.