Good Times!! We camped at Buck Creek. Took this trail up to the 5,040ft level. We tried to get to the shelter but ran into a downed tree. The down tree was right at a switchback and blocked a big protion of the trail. Hikers and bikes could pass but not horses. After fighting the horses to get them turned around, we headed back to the lookout at 4,000ft. All and all the trail is in good shape. I could see that a work party came through and cut downed trees along the way.

We had a good ride this last wed. As it was so hot we went up to Buck Creek (right before Crystal Mt) and took the Ranger Creek trail which climbs steadily but with many switchbacks through huge old growth forest-thus keeping us cool.The scent was ""high-country woods"" and I almost hyperventilated trying to keep smelling it in. Unfortunatey at about 4 miles we ran out of trail as there was too much snow to proceed. So we tied the horses in a switchback and hiked aways further to see what we could see. We found a huge tree blocking so until the forest service gets up there we can't go any further with or without snow. So we rode back down and found a viewpoint lunchspot in the sun but also on an anthill-hmm...why does that happen? After we reached the trailhead again we took another trail going south along and above the highway for about 1 1/2 miles then reached another trailhead, this time for for Deep Creek. It said ""Noble Knob 4 miles"" and since we've been to Noble Knob from the other side of the mountain (Lost lake trail) that really sounded like an adventure. This trail was much steeper, (perhaps an old motorcycle trail) but on we climbed for about 3 miles until we again hit too much snow. The horses needed a rest so we tied up and I again,(having a bad case of the bear went over the mountain syndrome)hiked again ""to see what I could see"". Wow! I did see the other side of the mountain and a very beautiful mountain sight! We returned to the trailer and parking area tired but thinking about when we could return to do more of the trail when the snow finally melts.

A short hike (2.70 miles - one way) up a totally snow free, and obstruction free trail. The rock promontory at the top was easy to navigate, and I was rewarded with a beautiful view.

My criteria for this hike were 1) Big, old trees to quiet my craziness, 2) Solitude, 3) A good view of the world around me, 4) A good workout to clean the poison out of me, and 5) Sunshine. I got 1-4. #5 was replaced by overcast, then low clouds, mist,rain,fog, a shaft of sunlight in the distance, more rain. Oh well. It was a great trip. I started out parking on Hwy 410 at the west trailhead. After about 30 steps I ran into a lovely ancient fir tree. I knew I was in the right place. The trail sneaks upward, through the rocky defences of the Pallisades, passing many more wise old trees, mossy rock formations, and a couple nice waterfalls. Then comes the stairway. What a nice touch. After about 1.5 mi I was at the top walking along the cliff tops. I stopped at the first viewpoint and soaked in the view across to Suntop. Another 1/2 hour brought me to another fine viewpoint, with clouds lowering enclosing me in a misty bubble. Crossed Snoquera creek and the adventure began. I looked upward thru the mist and saw snow up on the clearcut areas. I knew the trail was up on top of the ridge ( from previous summer hikes) so I slapped on the snowshoes and made a beeline up the clearcut to the ridge. There was 1-2 feet of snow thru here. At the top I found a few pieces of flagging to confirm that I was on the trail. I followed the ridge (elev 5200') to the cabin at the junction with the Ranger Creek trail. There was hard frozen snow all the way, so I kept the 'shoes on, not knowing what I would face going down Ranger Creek. It was trouble right from the start. 10' from the shelter I had lost the trail, so I blazed down along the creek hoping to get below snow level and find the trail. With map, compass, and altimeter I was able to find it after 1 1/2 hours of some pretty serious scrambling. I set a compass course that I thought should intercept the trail after clambering up and down several very steep ridges. I could not see any likely trail route. I found pieces of an ancient trail, pieces of a deer trail, and then joy of joys. I found the trail at about 3400'. The walking was so easy, I didn't have a care in the world. Got to the junction with the trail along Hwy 410 and saw my first human of the day. I wandered along the trail, past Camp Sheppard to my trusy Jeep. All in all a fine adventure.

I returned again to the Camp Sheppard area, this time with a small group of Mountaineers. The weather looked promising as we headed towards the junction with the White River Trail, just beyond the outdoor amphitheatre of the scout camp. Our loop went through beautiful, serene mature forest for the most part, connecting with the Ranger Creek Trail after about two miles and heading up a couple of miles towards Little Ranger Peak, for the first views. We had a short break at the overlook, but a wind had come up and people were piling up layers. My little thermometer registered in the upper 40's, not including wind chill. At 4.8 miles from the White River Trail junction, Ranger Creek Trail comes to another junction with the Palisades Trail. The junction is marked by an old shelter and springs. No stock is allowed on the Palisades Trail. Mountain bikes are allowed, but presented no problems. Upon leaving a high point of 5200 feet, at the junction, the trail winds along the narrow perciptious ridgeline, dropping and twisting through forest and out to spectacular overlooks of the White River and surrounding ridges. Today we could see up Crystal Mountain Blvd., but to the southwest, the Mountain eluded us. Too many low-lying clouds were blocking our views. While hiking through the forest we came upon a few flowers in bloom. I was especially pleased to see a pale blue anemone in bloom. The cliff areas and some moist sunny openings were also good places to look for flowers including desert parsley, serviceberry, wallflower, paintbrush, wild strawberry and davidson's penstemon. We did not encounter any other hikers all day, although a couple of groups of mountain bikers zoomed by with a flash of jerseys and cheery hellos. A couple of streams are crossed while following the ridgeline. When the trail finally begins heading downhill, it drops into a narrow, rocky canyon filled with the sound of water and birdsong. Delicate vine maple and huge conifers create a serene environment for a series of falls and cascades. Near the northern junction with the White River Trail, there is one last obstacle, the old bridge is out. It has been carefully taken apart, the old support logs, etc, scattered all over the creek banks. A temporary trail leads to a rock hop crossing. Since there are caution barriers up, it looks like some work may be done on the area soon. The local boy scouts have generously contributed time and muscle in the past towards keeping this trail system going. This is a long trip, but one worth doing once in a while. There was also relative solitude, at least on this cool spring day and lots of great views. Stats: 14 miles, 3,000 foot gain.