We previously explored the north end of this trail, from its intersection with the Wonderland Trail. We wanted to explore the portion from the intersection with the Stevens Canyon Road northward. There's an obvious trailhead just to the east of the point where the road cuts through Backbone Ridge, but no sign. This appears to be a new segment, built after the road interrupted the old trail. We followed it about 100 ft. up onto the ridge, where it seemed to fade out. We had to look a few feet to the west to find the old trail. This is in generally good condition, but concealed in spots by a thick layer of hemlock cones and needles. The trail surface is smooth, without the mud-holes, eroded spots and tree roots found on the Park's heavily used trails. The trail follows the ridge top, staying slightly to the west, so there was little danger of getting lost. There are almost no cut logs to help locate the trail in places where it's faint; instead, there are old logs partially worn away by decades of hikers climbing over them. We didn't see any reason that this trail couldn't be followed all the way up the ridge to the Wonderland Trail. No longer shown on maps, the trail is described in the Mountaineers' ""50 Hikes"" guidebook. We also found it on a USGS map displayed in the Ohanapecosh Visitors Center. Other parties: None. Wildlife: None, except for bugs. Flowers: None.

A little sun and itchy feet make for a spring hike. Backbone lake has always been a good low elevation choice, not this time. We parked on FR 1270 not far from Hiway 12 at a gate signed ""road closed 1/2 mile ahead"". No problem, we would just add a little road walk to the short hike up to the lake. Just a few hundred yards from the gate was a sign on the bridge over the Clear fork of the Cowlitz stating the bridge was closed even to foot traffic and a promise of a $135 fine if caught crossing it. We dropped down to the river and crossed under the bridge. Sure enough a huge crack in the concrete bridge had it sagging down, the asphalt approach was also buckled. So to make a long story short and maybe save someone else a little gas money, the trail is not accessable from the south until the bridge is repaired. The north end is also out of the question until the Stevens canyon hiway into the park opens up. Hiway 123 was closed at the park entrance by snow.

I hiked an enjoyable portion of the backbone trail (#164, aka the Backbone Lake Trail or Backbone Ridge Trail) this Thursday, from the Stevens Canyon road in Mt. Rainier Park (10T 0607202 5173520), to the semi-bald knob above Backbone Lake, and back; about 5 miles round trip with several ups and downs. The weather was perfect for a forest walk, cool and cloudy. This segment of the trail is in good shape with only minimal blowdown that can be stepped over or around. It's a darn shame that this wonderful woodland trail, along a route once used by Taidnapam Indians, now seems to be completely abandoned from end to end. Jody's Bridge on FR 1270 was damaged in last year's storms, and the Forest Service doesn't have any funds to fix or replace it, even with a foot-log. You can swim or canoe across the swimming hole there when the water isn't running too high and fast, but crossing the bridge isn't allowed, even on foot, and can result in a ticket. The trail is no longer listed on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest web site.

The upper portion, north of Stevens Canyon road in Mt. Rainier National Park, was abandoned decades ago, and is rapidly fading away from lack of use. Last time I tried it, about a month ago, I could only follow it about a mile before it seemed to be completely gone, at 10T 0607128 5175011. There are blazes on some trees, but they are old and mostly healed. However, there is another trail segment, also abandoned, starting further east along the Stevens Canyon road, at the southern tip of a secondary ridge leading up Cowlitz divide. It's a little easier to follow, but still faint. It intersects with the old Backbone Ridge Trail, and there are still 2 trail signs at the junction (10 T 0608026 5176290). If you continue north and manage to stay on the trail you will come out on a large open rock formation (10T 0607955 5177202) with expansive views of Mt. Adams, Mt. Rainier, some of the Goat Rocks, and a panorama of the Tatoosh Range (see photo). But if you stray too far to the east you will be on the wrong side of the steep edge of the formation.

A lower segment, starting at the old trailhead by the Muddy Fork, where the asphalt ends, was also abandoned when the trailhead was moved further up, to the end of the dirt road. This segment is not too difficult to follow at the present but will probably fade away now that hunters and campers can no longer easily access the area.

The Jody's Bridge for access to the Backbone Ridge Trail #164 trailhead was heavily damaged by winter runoff. The bridge is closed to traffic and foot traffic that is caught crossing the bridge is being ticketed.