Reached the trailhead around noon. The final 3 miles on the Chiwawa River Rd were unpaved and a bit rough, but would have been fine for most cars.
Headed ~3mi up the trail to the junction with the Rock Creek Tie trail. The first mile or so was slightly overgrown. Crossed three small streams with dry feet, and stepped over (or ducked under) a dozen or so good-sized blowdowns. There was a short section about 1.5mi in where the trail was narrow with steep drop-offs, culminating in a washout that had been bridged, but had since filled up partially with loose rocks and dirt. Falling off the trail here looked fatal; fortunately everything felt stable. A shovel would have been useful.
The trail never got close to Rock Creek, and views were limited to a few glances up towards Estes Butte, but the forest was quite pleasant. Many fairy-slipper orchids, one chipmunk, lots of deer tracks, and two piles of bear scat on the trail.
Didn't encounter a single person in the 5 hours we ended up spending on the trail.
Comments