We almost drove right by, but saw the sign. Space for just 1 or 2 vechicles, no more, not far past the Lost Creek Ridge trailhead (which had many cars, some parked along road by river). It's almost looks like no trail is there, but once started the way is clear.
The cedars are enormous, and a surprise as they loom out of the undergrowth. What's that huge thing doing there? Looks almost out of place, until you realize where you are and keep finding more of the huge old trees. Several pathways branch off the main trail, taking you to other stands of gigantic cedars, some in a nearly straight row from an ancient nurse log.
Noticed wild ginger, piggyback plant, bleeding heart, red elderberry, very tall Devil's club, and some Pacific Silver fir among the cedars and Douglas firs.
The trail to get to the river is short, but was obstructed by a very recent treefall. Looked like a huge Doug fir fell on its own, taking down with it also the top half of an alder, splitting the alder like firewood. Looks like it might have just happened, within weeks -- maybe during that heavy rain we had in early September. You can push the downfall aside and get past easily, but looks almost impassable.
The river has a nice little sandbar and was the kind of place you could sit around at for hours, if you felt like it. A recent rock cairn shows someone did just that. Views of the rounded mountain to the north - possibly Spring Mt, mentioned on my new map as named for Ira Spring.
The plaque on the tree tells about Harold Engles: District Ranger for 34 years, from 1924 to 1958. Per the forest service: "The grove is named in honor of the legendary early Darrington District Ranger, Harold Engles. The story goes that he refused to include this grove in a planned timber sale because he would not stand by and allow these majestic cedars felled."
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mbs/recarea/?recid=17752
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