Marckworth Forest — Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020

After seeing a picture of a curious gorge that I was told was "outside of Monroe," I began the hunt. Nothing quite like a lowland second growth scavenger hunt. McCoy creek was the likely suspect, but thanks to Brian's site I located a pictureless entry of a gorge just a mile away. Well, it wasnt McCoy, but it was coincidentally the northern trailhead of Marckworth forest, a place I've had on the backburner for a winter day. Since the front edge of a storm was about to roll in before dark, I figured it was the perfect scouting time. Looking at a few trip reports I found the Elwell Cliffs to compliment the drive out (thanks mato!). The last few miles of road require a recreation pass (discover) as it is private property with an easement or something. Also very active logging, six trucks ripped around me.

Walking to a clearing in the trees, I was surprised to find myself on top of a significant cliff that appeared to stretch the entire half mile of the west edge of Elwell Hill.

I'd looked at a relief map prior and noted three possible outcroppings, on the north, middle, and south edges. The northern one was the best - a view north and across the monroe valley to Pilchuck, Three Fingers, and the Mtn Loop. The middle outcropping was not so great. The southernmost outcropping just before going downhill and back was a pleasantly large landing that had evidently seen lots of use. Bizarrely, there was what appeared to be a van in the woods at the bottom.  This outcropping had views across the Elwell Valley but was not particularly high up, so you couldn't over the opposing hill west. It did have faint views of Bellevue, and the Issaquah Alps were prominent in the background. Supposedly Rainier peeks out too.

The road walk back was long and not particularly interesting.  Jogging back to beat the rain, I startled a grouse. I did spot what I believed to be the footpath, and even the flagging at the end of the CAT track which was much closer to the main road than I thought. Id recommend forging NW into the woods just after a steep (ish) incline from the first triangle when the road bends south. 

Nothing to write home about, but the solitude was nice and the parking lot was beautiful. I'll probably be back to check some more high points in the winter.