I've wanted to do the entire section from the Middle Fork trailhead to the Dingford Creek trailhead for a very long time, and now I've finally checked that box, just the one tick for this one mind you. I have hiked part ways up the valley many times but the entire out and back is over twelve miles and the upper section is lonesome territory - you're a long way from cell service, best done with a friend, or at least an InReach.
With a warm day forecast the trail offers lots of shade so it's a great choice for a hot day. Parking at the large middle fork lot just a few cars, out house decent. The first 3 miles of trail offers some of the best features, the rushing Middle Fork, views of Garfield mountain and Stegosaurus Butte, lots of great built trail, trail side flowers and ferns and when you reach the rocky creek crossing (Nine hour creek?) spectacular granite cliffs. This rocky creek crossing can be quite a challenge when the creek is high, but right now the flow is low enough to make it a safe rock hop. All other water crossing are bridged. Decks of bridges further up the valley are deteriorating with some boards looking sketchy.
About half way along the MF to DC trail section there is an unsigned and easily missed trail split. You need to stay to the right to stay on the main trail (pictured). What looks like the main trail is the "spur loop" that goes down to the river's edge then back up rejoining the main trail at a signed junction further east. We ignored this loop on the way out, and took it on our return (it does add mileage). It's an obvious trail with an amazing campsite view point, quite a few blow downs (easy overs), and a couple of decent sized mud pits. The choice is yours.
Beyond this half way mark the trail feels a lot lonelier, We passed three piles of bear scat each one fresher than the last. Just a couple of trail runners here and a pair of backpackers heading out. If you do skip the loop spur you will get your chance to see the river again in this upper section as the trail goes close to the bank before veering away for the easy climb to the bridge over Cripple Creek. The bridge here has seen better days with some handrail damage but it's solid and the creek is just gushing. After that it's a long mile to the signed junction for the Dingford Creek trail head. We must have been tiring as on the way out we failed to notice we were now hiking through a stand of massive trees, just gorgeous. It's worth noting that you drop gently down to the bridge that takes you to the DC trail head, but you climb quite steeply up to the trailhead parking lot. We even busted out the map to make sure it hadn't moved itself after we started our hike lol.
After admiring the small lot (three cars), we retraced our steps and we took our break at the signed campsites found about a half mile back to the west/down stream. We took a very leisurely boots off lunch at the campsites which are right by the river and come with impressive fire rings, but no back country toilet. Then it was time for home. The forest is really lovely with moss, flowers and ferns all along the way. If you've read the Chronicles of Narnia it was the epitome of the wood between the worlds. Although the afternoon warmth had built the shade kept us from overheating and we were able to keep up a steady pace.
It took us about three hours each way. Bugs were present, but not biting (we sprayed before we set off) and the only challenge was sections of trail that are now quite overgrown - over my head and could barely see the tread. In the morning they were wet and then so was I, later on things had dried out.
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