If you remember back in June, I attempted to get to Squire Creek Pass via the official Squire Creek Trail and was turned back by a precarious snowbridge (and time). So, when some friends and I were looking for a shorter hike that wouldn't take all day, I suggested heading to Squire Creek Pass via the Eight Mile Trail
The trail from the parking lot started out relatively mundane, following yet another decommissioned forest road gradually up about .4 miles and with 250ft of gain. The trail has some fantastic drainage work, someone has moved a ton (literally) of rock to mitigate water's erosion of the tread.
Soon after, the trail started up the fall line on what feels like more of a climber's path than an established trail. There was even flagging indicating a more official trail was being developed. The trail alternated between braided roots and rocks on the fall line to a smooth carpet of pine needles on the contour as we made our way up through the forest.
At .62 miles we passed the Boulder River Wilderness boundary and soon after broke out into a brushy drainage socked in with low laying clouds. Thimbleberry was ripe and crowded the rocky trail as we continued our way up. 3 O'clock Rock soon rose to our left, a popular slab climbing wall. We admired its layered surface as we made our way underneath and continued on tight switchbacks that snake up on its righthand side. With only 900ft of gain so far, we still had some ascending to do.
For the next mile and 1,000ft, the trail alternated between forest and solid granite slab drainages, evidence that the soil we were walking on was not deep.
We broke out onto more open and gradual terrain at 1.9 miles, the huckleberries and heather was prolific and slowed our progress (well, at least mine). We could see the tips of Three Fingers and Jumbo as the fog had lifted and blue skies we hadn't seen in days due to wildfire smoke were a welcome surprise.
The trail traversed more and more granite until we reached the summit at 4,074ft and 2.54 miles. Three Fingers was out on display with White Horse and Mount Bullen partially obscured in clouds to the right. You could even see the lookout perched high on top. It was surprising how close the cliff walls of Three Fingers appeared from the perspective of having been on the Squire Creek Trail a few months ago. I guessed the summit would give me a higher view but it felt like I could reach my hand out and touch the mountain!
We rested at the summit and enjoyed the fair weather (70 degrees and blue skies!) for a while before heading down. I filled my nalgene almost to the top with berries and plan to return for more and to spend more time exploring the nearby summits, such as Higher Squire. What a beautiful spot and so close to town!
Additional pictures and GAIA in link below. :)
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