Chiwaukum Creek — Thursday, May. 4, 2017

"I wonder how long it takes burned trees to fall after a fire?" Karen asked today as we drove to the Chiwaukum Creek trailhead. We found out. Three years. This area was burned in a massive wildfire in 2014. When we arrived, an avalanche had knocked down the trail sign. In the first four miles, there were 66 blowdowns - fallen, dead trees across the trail. We climbed over, under and around the black, charcoal-covered trees. Both Karen and I have bruised and bleeding legs and arms. After 3.6 miles of this, Chiwaukum Creek trail was blocked by a giant mass of tangled, fallen trees. "I've had enough of this," Karen said. Back we went over 66 blowdowns. Descending, we cleared branches and rolling rocks off the trail. It was highly satisfying to toss away sharp, broken branches. This made the trail safer and easier for others.