Time was short today but we needed to get out. It was really nice to see how well the gentrification of the Middle Fork has gone. Twenty five years ago this area was potholes, meth labs, and squatters. Some of the potholes are still there but numerous day use areas and a serious road rebuild has really improved the situation. 

Garfield Ledges has long been on my list. I climbed Garfield itself a couple of times and perhaps wanted to rekindle some memories there. I was a little disappointed as I thought that there would be views of Garfield itself but ultimately it was pretty awesome. A smattering of wildflowers and every shade of green imaginable in the mosses, ferns, and extant stumps.

Combined with Oxbow Loop trail it made for a nice half day. Ox Bow deserves to be looked at on a map. The lake is nearly a mile long yet doubled back on itself with the trail encircling it. Really quite cool. There were good views of airy Russian Butte, the Middle Fork itself, and a ravaged forest recovering through second growth. 

These hikes are perfect for children (watch them at Garfield’s ledges) or others without much time.

Many others were enjoying the trails along the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Road on this beautiful warm and sunny day. We meandered the Oxbow Loop Trail from the second and larger parking area. The outhouses were clean and stocked with paper. No wildlife was seen other than a butterfly and one robin. The star of the flower show was the thousands of bleeding heart flowers! Stream violets, salmonberry, trillium and spring beauty were other flowers seen. Some of the many log benches are starting to rot.

The light was beautiful about 5:30 when we hiked the extension and the loop.  The water was glassy and the reflections held our attention.  There were quite a few different wildflowers blooming.  And there were mosquitos!  

On the drive out, we saw a bear foraging its way along a pond.  That was a lovely treat.  On the way in, by Twin Falls Middle School, herd of elk were browsing.  And a grouse was by the side of the road.

The hike was beautiful today. The directions are accurate in WTA description. We arrived at 9am and still 2 parking spots at main trailhead (only allows for 6 or 7 cars, bigger lot down the road). Walked from trailhead to bigger parking lot, it’s a very nice trail walk with great views of the mountains and river, takes about 20 minutes roundtrip for that trail walk. Headed back to the main trail and walked the loop. The trail is in great shape. It’s a fairly easy walk with slow decline at beginning and easy incline at the end. We meandered at the river, the lake, the viewpoints and at big mossy trees. It took us about 90 minutes to complete the loop. If not meandering, probably a 45-60 minute walk. It’s a great, wonderful and beautiful easy trail hike.

Really beautiful trail and starts of with gorgeous views right away. We did the trail counter clockwise. A little more than half way around the loop you can break off to access the river (with a well signed trail). My pup loved getting her paws wet:) 

The trail is on great condition, no mud. Mountains in the distance still have a fresh dusting of snow and look beautiful! 

I think this trail has two trailheads and we parked at the first. If you drive down the road a bit more, the second th has the bathroom