This area can get quite hot, so I waited weeks for the 90+ temperatures to abate, and almost waited too long. When the forecast finally dropped to a high of 79, I drove over Chinook Pass from the west, and was met by a wall of smoke visible in the air. I didn’t know it, but there was a fire being fought in the Bumping Lake area.
I got lucky; the wind was blowing the smoke away from where I would be. Exiting SR410, I drove past Indian Flat Pond (reportedly stocked with trout) to the dirt parking area just 500 feet from the highway. Mine was the only car in the “parking lot”, which is within sight of cars whizzing by on SR410.
I had the trail to myself. It was in good condition, with nothing worse than pine cones getting underfoot in a few places.
The rock formation at 1.3 miles fascinated me. I spent some time angling for photographs. When I continued on to the junction with the West Quartz Creek loop, there was ample evidence of logging there. Many slash piles remained. I couldn’t help but think of the Bumping Lake fire and how those slash piles would just fuel a fire if one came this way.
I explored to the right briefly, then returned and went left. At 0.4 mile from the junction, I was able to look east across the valley and see the rock formation. At 1 mile from the junction, I found views to the south and pleasant enough walking. Some of the mature pine trunks are a gorgeous red color. Delightful.
I didn’t encounter any mountain bikes or motorcycles, but there were tracks in the soil. I found the water bars to be interesting. They are made from a flexible material, reminding me of steel-belted tires. I imagine they are quite effective at diverting water off the trail, without causing rubber tires to skitter away dangerously, as rocks or logs can sometimes do.
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