Another fantastic morning on the Big Creek Trail. Trail is in great condition as usual; dry (except for one very small, easily stepped over patch of mud) and clear of blowdowns. There have even been some new benches put in since the last I was there. Huge thanks as always to the Mount Rose Trail Crew for all the work they put in on the trails in this area!
We got to the trailhead around 8:30 AM and nabbed the last defined spot in the parking lot. Both the privy buildings we checked in the campgrounds were locked, so plan accordingly.
Trail is snow free up to the look out on the trail up to Mount Ellinor, though there was weather moving in and a chance of snow is in the forecast so not sure if this will change. There were a couple off trail patches of snow left on the way up to the look out point.
Also wildflowers are starting to come out! Beautiful trilliums and yellow violets leading the way (even a trillium nurse log).
Per Gaia, starting at the small parking lot on the road side of the locked gate I had 7.46 miles and 1721 ft total elevation gain for the Big Creek loop plus the Ellinor lookout (this includes walking through the campgrounds to get to the actual TH).
Overall it was a great way to spend the day!
Comments
lkray on Big Creek
Hello, how far is it to the Lookout from the Big Creek Trail, and about what is the elevation gain? Thanks, I couldn't find this information in any of the trail reports I looked at. lkray
Posted by:
lkray on Apr 13, 2021 08:01 PM
glucas on Big Creek
From where the Ellinor Connector trail departs the Big Creek Trail to the lookout is roughly 1 mile and 726 ft elevation gain (per Gaia), so roundtrip you're adding about 2 miles to your total hike.
Posted by:
glucas on Apr 13, 2021 08:37 PM
glucas on Big Creek
Per Gaia, starting at the small parking lot on the road side of the locked gate I had 7.46 miles and 1721 ft total elevation gain for the loop plus Ellinor lookout (plus walking through the campgrounds to the actual TH, which is where the WTA mileage starts).
Posted by:
glucas on Apr 13, 2021 08:45 PM
lkray on Big Creek
Thank you. That info was just what I needed.
Posted by:
lkray on Apr 14, 2021 08:48 AM
glucas on Big Creek
Happy to help!
Posted by:
glucas on Apr 14, 2021 12:20 PM