I haven't hiked much recently so picked this one for our last "spring day", as it has just enough elevation to make you feel you accomplished something! We parked at the large middle fork parking lot and walked the connector over to the start of the ledge trail. Always recommend this as the potholes on the far side of the Taylor river bridge at the ledge parking area are now car eating size. Temperatures were all over the map, 50s in North Bend on the way in, mid 30s at the parking lot - 40s when we returned. As we hiked up the ledge trail things warmed up nicely, and with the sun out the ledge is a nice place to catch a few rays. The view was great and you can see all the way back down the valley to Rattlesnake Ledge. The trail is dry and you don't need winter boots. We stepped over a number of small trees on the way to and from the ledge trail, but apart from that everything is in great shape.
We didn't linger at the ledge but stopped on the way down at the Taylor Rover picnic area (right by the start of the ledge trail), to snack on coffee and Met Market cookies in the sun. Be careful here as the river has seriously undercut the bank and some of the tables are no longer on solid ground. After our treats we wandered back via the camp ground nature trail and CCC trail. Find the turn for that on your right immediately after you recross the bridge. I love that section of the CCC trail, the moss lined path is sublime.
Total mileage was 4.5. Outhouses for both middle fork and ledges were decent, the ledge outhouse was newly serviced and stocked. Was saddened to see road side garbage in some of the pull outs on the road in, but on the way out a forest service vehicle had pulled in to take care of that.
CAUTION - there was a tree down blocking the eastward drive lane before you reach the locals housing. The remainder of the road in was clear but there are two sections that are down to single lanes and have red barriers. Hopefully we are not going to lose the road, that would be a sad day as the valley is such a gem of a place to both visit and hike.
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