First, huge thanks to the Mount Rose Trail Crew for all the work they put in maintaining the trails in the area.  Despite the bomb, cyclone, wind, rain, snow, etc that has been thrown at them recently, there were only two small blowdowns on the trail, both easily navigated without breaking stride. 

I got to the TH around 8:30 AM and was the second car in the lot.  Keep in mind that with the campground closed, the little parking lot only has three non-ADA and one ADA parking stall, though you can also park along the side of the road (being sure to be completely off the road).  Restrooms in the campground are locked for the season.

The main Big Creek Loop is snow free. If you go up to the viewpoint along the connector to Mount Ellinor you will find a couple short patches of snow, but nothing that needed special traction today.  I continued on to the lower Mount Ellinor TH; a bit before getting to the trail intersection the trail becomes completely covered in snow, though it isn't very deep yet. 

As mentioned above, there were two small blowdowns on the trail, both along the northern portion of the main Big Creek Loop trail.  The first was only a few feet west of the spur to the confluence viewpoint. It's about 4-inches in diameter and it resting on the ground, so it's an easy step over.  The second is only a few dozen feet east of the first.  It's about 5 inches in diameter and is angled across the trail, but only blocks roughly half the trail so is easy to get around.

Other than these two small items the trail was in fantastic condition. This is always a great trail for a low key outing with lots of points of interest along the way!

The trail is back open! Lots of fungi. And, in spite of recent winds (as evidenced by the debris on the road), the trail is clean. Thank you, MRNC! It was the perfect place to be on election day, breathing in trees.

Sign posted at trailhead: all Big Creek trails are closed until October 31 for logging operations. 

Heads up the trail was noted as closed for several months, beginning today (Aug. 20, 2024) with steep fines for those on it. 

We hiked the Big Creek trail counterclockwise on the recommendation that the climb was less steep.  We could not see a difference . . . it is a beautiful hike either way . . . and is not easy.

There is a noisy logging operation near the trail, but we hiked past the area without problem.  We also heard numerous airplanes coming over - presumably air support for the wildfire near Dosewalips.

Water levels in the creeks are low, but it was still pretty.  We counted 28 bridges along the trail - 14 larger, more substantial ones and 14 small ones that had no railings . . .