Took advantage of the sun to head up Stegosaurus Butte. It's worth noting that the "faint boot paths" in the trail description here actually do look like a well defined trail. I accidentally took one of them up and it was a clear enough trail that I didn't really notice I was on the wrong trail until I intersected with the real trail. I've included a picture here of the two trailheads. Probably would be wise to download a gps map (there's no cell signal for most of this hike - I had one bar at the top).

The trail up turns into a little forest scramble. It reminds me of the old Teneriffe trail above the falls, or Snoqualmie Mountain. It's a nice winter conditioning/workout alternative to Tiger Cable Trail or Old Si. As nice as the first viewpoint is, it's definitely worth going all the way to the second one.

I went down the official trail and there's a sizable muddy patch near the Pratt River Trail. If you come up that way, don't be discouraged. It doesn't last long, although waterproof boots would be your friend on this hike (as would hiking poles). 

Strava said 3.4 mile roundtrip and 1174' of elevation gain. I suspect WTA may not have included the Pratt River portion in the mileage. 

To get a few extra miles in I went up the nearby new-ish Granite Ledges trail, which was a super easy cool down after Stegosaurus. They did a really nice job building this trail. The hike and the view are reminiscent of Rattlesnake Ledge, but with a small fraction of the people. Although I drove over to the trailhead, there's a nice connector between the two trails and you could make it all one hike.

With a rare opportunity to hike on a weekday I headed out to the Middlefork hoping to find solitude, and succeeded at that. It was a very quiet day even with the dry weather window (even Mailbox had parking available as I drove by around 10am).

I parked at the main Middlefork lot (nearly empty) and took the Connector Trail to the Taylor River bridge, then walked over to the Garfield Ledges trail and hiked that. I like to add the connector for some extra mileage on the short hike to the ledges, and it’s a lovely mossy forest with river and mountain views. (My sedan also prefers that I navigate the bridge potholes on foot!)

There was one tree down on the connector trail that required some maneuvering to get over (see photo). And one easy step over tree. Otherwise the trails were clear of obstacles and not as muddy as I thought they might be after all the rain.

Trail traffic was light, I only saw a few people on each trail.

And one of the toilets at Garfield Ledges was open, but TP supplies were low.

Decided on Garfield Ledges for a short hike with an out of town visitor, especially since so many of the Issaquah hikes have apparently been hammered by the windstorm. She loved it and was very intrigued by all the lichens, mosses, and mushrooms. Prettier forest than I had remembered, and the Middle Fork Valley in general has such a remote quiet feel compared to most of the I-90 or Issaquah Alps hikes. Also, since the last time I was here 4 years ago a better flat viewing spot has been engineered at the top, along with an interpretive sign. 

Mainly, though - No blowdowns or storm damage on this trail! As mentioned in previous reports, it's obvious that many trees had come down across the road and have been cleared. 

also, note that our electronics recorded 2.5 miles roundtrip with 650 feet gain, so a tad longer with slightly less elevation than WTA trail guide says.

As of Saturday 11/23, the Taylor River/Middle Fork road has mostly been cleared of obstructions, although it's evident where chainsaws have removed any big downed branches and trees (there were plenty). Thanks to whoever spent hours making all those trails accessible.

To celebrate the successful completion of my mentored lead hike with the Mountaineers Saturday morning (to Otter and Big Creek Falls), two hiking partners and I tacked on a brief celebratory 1-hour hike Saturday afternoon to the Ledges viewpoint. 

This was a new-to-me trail with delightful mushrooms, rich moss-covered boulders, and a wonderful view of the Middle Fork and surrounding peaks. I am thankful for the camaraderie and weather - not a drop during our quick hike. Not much in the way of birdsong, no mammals other than chipmunks, and the recent winds have pretty much knocked all the leaves down. Still, it had a wintry beauty I appreciated.

Overall: Short and sweet! Well-maintained trail with a gradual incline, took me about 1 hour, 15 mins going very slow. I only saw two other people out here on a Thursday afternoon! Great payoff with lovely views of the valley - just lovely! My YouTube video about this trail has more videos and info!

Trailhead and Parking:

• Parking Requirements: Northwest Forest Pass required; be sure to have it before arrival.
• Trailhead Conditions: The road from the bridge to the trailhead is rough with numerous potholes; high-clearance vehicles recommended, though some sedans can navigate carefully.
• No Cell Service: Be aware that there is no cell service, so consider bringing a satellite communication device for safety.

Trail Overview:

• Trail Length: Approximately 2.2 miles round trip.
• Elevation Gain: Around 650 feet, with a consistent, gradual incline throughout. Perfect for someone like me who needs more gradual, less steep trails as I recover from a foot surgery.
• Trail Condition: Well-maintained, with minimal obstacles. No large roots, rocks, or boulder fields, making it accessible and manageable for various skill levels.
• Dogs: I brought my dog who is tiny and very much a diva and she did really well on this hike. 

Other notes:

• The viewpoint is a rocky ledge with limited space, so be cautious if hiking with pets or children. The ledge has a steep drop-off, so keep a close eye on them.
• Due to lack of cell service and the remote location, bring the ten essentials and a satellite communication device! 
• There is a pit toilet at the TH that was super well maintained.