I did quite a ramble today exploring the upper reaches of Hall Creek. After a long ascent up the Hall Creek Valley, I wandered along the crest of the ridge overlooking Chester Morse, and finally descended the Change Creek trail. Overall, the hike was almost 13 miles long, with 3500' of gain.

To start the hike, I parked at Ollalie State Park next to the lawn and picnic tables. Then, I hiked up the Hall Creek access trail to the Iron Horse Trail. Headed east on the Iron Horse about 100 yards from the Hall Creek Bridge, then took the new trail uphill that starts next to a fallen log. This narrow and steep trail climbs steeply 800' to an old, overgrown logging road at 2200'.

I continued climbing the ridgeline cross-country to get to the higher logging road, and was surprised (and glad) to encounter a vague trail ascending the ridge. I don't know who cleared it out, but the path helped greatly. The trail faded out in logging debris shortly before reaching FS 9021. I picked my way over the logs and stumps, soon reaching this more or less main logging road at 2800'.

I then followed FS 9021 into the Hall Creek Valley. The road was somewhat overgrown and hasn't seen motorized traffic for a year or more. With all the landslide damage, it may be a long time before vehicles get up here. In places, the road is blasted out of cliffs and nice views of the Hall Creek valley are frequent. The road descends gradually to a low point at a creek, elev. 2650', then climbs at a brisk rate toward the head of the valley. This section of the road is badly eroded and overgrown. At 3100', it passes a nifty two-stage waterfall.

Beyond the falls, the road ascends the headwall of Hall Creek in long gradual switchbacks, getting less brushy and in better condition as it climbs. It finally attains the ridgeline overlooking Chester Morse Reservoir at a 4000' high saddle. Lex the dog enjoyed lingering patches of snow up here. From here, I followed the ridgeline road heading west toward Mt. Washington. What a treat! It offered great views in every direction, including Chester Morse Reservoir and Mt. Rainier (a bit hazy, unfortunately) The road reaches a spectacular high point at 4400', then descends to a junction with a road descending the slope toward Chester Morse Reservoir. I continued straight ahead on a smooth and level stretch of road, which in a mile reached the junction with the Great Wall Road/ Trail.

I took that route and began the long descent from the heights. The Great Wall was as scenic as ever. At the next junction at 3800', I veered right and descended on the Change Creek road. Stopped at the pond to let Lex take a swim, then finished the long descent on the Change Creek road/trail to the Iron Horse Trail. The upper part of the old road is now free of snow, but a bit brushy. Finally, I closed the loop by taking the Hall Creek access trail back to Ollalie State Park.

All in all, it was a fun day roaming a little-visited corner of the I-90 corridor mountains.