OVERVIEW:
- Margaret's Way, West Peak, and Bullitt Fireplace trails to Central Peak
- Down Old Griz to East Side Trail
- West to junction with Bullitt Fireplace
- Up Bullitt Fireplace to close the loop at West Peak trail
- Back down Margaret's Way
Total about 10.6 miles and 2550 feet.
Plenty of parking at the trail head, but beware the huge potholes at the edge of the roadway. Portapotties in good condition.
Most of this route is smooth sailing on very well-maintained trails. The West Peak segment is a little more rugged, narrow and loose than Margaret's Way, and is where I encountered the only trail-blocking blowdown of the day. It's also where I saw an owl perched not very far off the trail. It was staring straight at me, and I was surprised it stayed put long enough for me to change lenses on my camera and take a few photos.
Old Griz is like a different world, which I didn't know existed (though there are some excellent previous trip reports; I just hadn't done my homework). Along this trail, extensive swathes of large mature trees were blown down by the bomb cyclone in November 2024. Maddy's report of May 26 has photos that show the scale of damage better than mine. But thanks to heroic efforts by I don't know how many people, the trail is clear. It's definitely more rugged than the rest of today's route, but quite hikeable. Note that if approaching it from the East Side trail, the junction is no longer at the old sign post on the East Side; it's about 50 yards west of there and marked by orange tape.
Comments
Flargensnoogen on Margaret's Way and Debbie's View, Central Peak, Bullitt Fireplace Trail, Old Griz, East Side Trail, West Peak
What a wonderful photo of that barred owl!
Posted by:
Flargensnoogen on Sep 13, 2025 05:12 PM
DRDana on Margaret's Way and Debbie's View, Central Peak, Bullitt Fireplace Trail, Old Griz, East Side Trail, West Peak
I feel privileged I had the opportunity. I came upon the owl kind of suddenly, and was surprised it didn't immediately fly away. When I saw it was staying still, I turned my back, hoping that would make me less intimidating while I fumbled with my pack to pull out and install my long lens. I turned back toward it, took one exposure, and that's when it turned its head to look for a better perch. It gave me one more direct stare for a second (shown in the photo), then flew off. If I were quicker I might have gotten a great shot of it in flight, but the next exposure was just some blurry wings on the edge of the frame. Still a thrill. I don't know much about owls but this one seemed smaller, perhaps younger, than others I've seen.
Posted by:
DRDana on Sep 13, 2025 11:28 PM
WifeHusbandPuppy on Margaret's Way and Debbie's View, Central Peak, Bullitt Fireplace Trail, Old Griz, East Side Trail, West Peak
That is an incredible photo. I stared at it for a long time.
Posted by:
WifeHusbandPuppy on Oct 17, 2025 05:16 PM