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The Monte Cristo Range just north of Willard offers quiet forest, and miles of solitary rambling. There are a myriad of ways to access this trail network, including this one, which starts in the middle of the mountains.
From the trailhead parking area, which intersects DNR's loop Buck Creek Trail, the trail stretches north towards Monte Carlo ridge, offering hikers a long out-and-back. Starting here eliminates the climbing necessary from the Forest Service's Monto Carlo Trail #52 trailhead off of Oklahoma Road in the Little White Salmon River valley and shortens the distance by about 2.3 miles each way.
The solitude found here is nice, too, but it also means these trails see infrequent maintenance. Be prepared for brush reaching across the trail corridor and fallen trees to climb over or go around. Although the Buck Creek Trail was designed as a long-distance loop for hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers, the brush and logs deter most horse and mountain biker riders.
From the trailhead, hike north about 0.3 mile, then descend into a remnant stand of oldgrowth Douglas-fir and western red-cedar trees to cross the Middle Fork of Buck Creek on a sturdy bridge. Although the Green Trails map suggest a camp exists here, no evidence is visible from the trail. This is the only water on the hike.
Climb out of the Middle Fork drainage and traverse a ridge through various ages of timber before descending down into the North Fork Buck Creek drainage. The trail reaches an unsigned junction at Road B-1500 in about 1.7 miles. Turn left and walk about 0.2 mile to see the trail continuing on the left at another unsigned junction.
The trail climbs steeply, soon crossing from state land onto U.S. Forest Service ownership and traverses a steep, open slope of wildflowers at 2.4 miles. The trail switchbacks up through the wildflowers and re-enters forest. Still climbing steeply, the trail reaches the ridge top and a junction at 2.8 miles. The trail to the right is the continuation of the Buck Creek Trail down Penny Ridge on an old jeep road.
Go straight ahead here for about another mile to enjoy the wildflower meadows of Monte Carlo in a ridgetop walk. Views of Mount St. Helens and Mount Adams are visible from the north end of the ridge. Turn around where the trail begins to descend steeply down to a junction with the Monte Cristo Trail #53.
WTA Pro Tip: Note that the Department of Natural Resources land traversed by this hike is a working forest, and sometimes logging activity may affect the accessibility of this trail.
Trailhead
