Tough bushwhack up to Cherry Lake. Nice falls at far end.

Still scratchin' my head over why I decided to  hike a logging road in the rain to no place in particular.  I guess it started with me wanting to check out the gorge at Youngs Creek, what with all the rain. Didn't disappoint there. Then I figured "Well, since I'm here..."  And into the Marckworth Maze I went... 

Took the bootpath that goes straight at the DNR/1029 TH.  When it hit the road again, I took all lefts. Past the quarry, with the trucks waiting for Monday; past the sign on a stump that said "CAUTION! GATE AHEAD" even though there wasn't one; past the big "4" on a tree ( I guess I'm four miles from somewhere?); past the dead snake on a rock; and all the way to the "T" with a giant cliff straight ahead.

Deciding to mix it up, I took a right. It heads up the hill and  skirts a little lake, then ends a bit later at a cliff with a smattering of a view up the Sky Valley. So back down the hill and up the other way, on road to the left. Pretty much the same thing - without the lake...

Well, that's about it - there was nothing left to do but head back down. In the rain, the whole hike. Wasn't that bad, I guess. Had the place to myself.  No wonder.

P.S. - Sorry, gotta say it... found another balloon. Yep, they're everywhere. This one was a shiny, deep purple one. Very pretty. (No, not that Deep Purple... Whoa! Flashbacks of the 70's!) Still had air, so I had to pop it to put it in my pocket.  DON'T LET THEM GO!

Yep, finally made it to Cherry Creek Falls. This is the last of a trio of hikes that I wanted to check off my list. The other two were Explorer Falls and Boulder River. Didn't seem to be enough "bang for the buck". I liked Explorer Falls because it was short, and I liked Boulder River because it was scenic. Cherry Creek Falls was a little ..uh.. underwhelming. Oh well, two out of three ain't bad...

Although I live relatively close, I've never been here. The trip reports mention a maze of muddy trails, confusing intersections, befuddling creek crossings, abandoned cars, and grouchy neighbors. And lots of people. Hopefully the falls make up for the hike, 'cause it didn't sound too interesting.

Hmm. Alrighty then, I'll try a different route. My trip started far to the north, at the entrance to Marckworth Forest off Cedar Ponds Road. Parked at the Youngs Creek TH and took DNR 1020. It skirts the base of the Elwell Cliffs and ends in a bootpath. Kept going and crossed Elwell Creek and soon hit the old Cherry Valley Truck Trail (gravel road). Took a right, and at 200 yards it "Y"s, took a left. From here, I took all lefts and eventually got there, but the first left into an overgrown road/bootpath would have save some walking. Marked with cairn.

It was a long way, but the walk was pleasant. Most of the walk is on old road that has turned to grass, and even the bootpaths were easy. Did come across some bear tracks, less than half hour old. Saw nobody til I got to the falls...

A quarter mile from the falls, I saw my first hikers. They had missed the turnoff, so I had to turn them around. (Look for the arrow on the ground.) Popped out at the top of the falls - and into the crowd. Kinda weird as I had just been all by my lonesome. It was a constant series of "Hello, how are you?" Lots of kids and young people, which was cool. Some music playing softly, and some friendly off-leash dogs - I'll let it slide.

The falls, in my opinion, weren't that great. The entire place has been thoroughly trampled, and there's nothing else in the area that warrants any exploring. And if that's the destination for a throw-away hike, coupled with a horde of people; I think I'll pass. This would be a great hike for beginners, or a fun outing with the kids. A nice "latte hike". For me, it was the shortest time I've ever spent at trails end...

P.S.  I didn't want to waste one of my photo slots on it, but I found another mylar balloon. A Happy Birthday one. Don't let them go! They land in the woods, and never disappear. Twenty years from now, they're still up there. Just pop 'em, and throw them away...

This 'hike' is more about the destination than the walk to get there.  Also known as Cherry Hill this former fire lookout lies at the end of a logging road walk with a short bushwhack.

Stay right at each fork of the road as it winds in a backwards S pattern until you come to a tree blocking the road.  The roadbed is well defined up to this point but this last spur going right after the fallen tree is somewhat overgrown with a few trees to step over and blackberries that will grab you if not paying attention. 

Shortly arriving at the spur end pick a spot and go right into the forest.  You can catch a glimpse of the rocky top from here.  I traversed up and right to the ridgeline then followed it to the rocky knob.  Some may find it challenging but I didn't think it was that bad.  Just watch your step and pick your route carefully.  Once on top of the high point I spotted the summit register and signed in.  Someone else had just been up this month as well.  From there go northwest toward a lower portion of the rocks where there's a much more open area with the best views (you can see Seattle on a clear day).  Note that it's very mossy and there's a sharp drop off that could prove fatal.  After scouting around the area but finding no artifacts I located a geocache and left something behind.  I've included the link below so you can decipher the clue and find it too. 

3.2 miles total distance and 400 ft. elevation gain.  To reach the gate that leads to this lookout take Stossel Creek Rd to pavements end and the Marckworth Forest.  At exactly four miles from pavements end find the locked gate on your left.  There's plenty of room to park without blocking the gate.  A Discovery Pass is required.