Now that it is open, I tried the new Garfield Ledges trail. It was wide and wonderful, short and steep with some very nice stairs and an excellent viewpoint as a reward at the end. (And end it does: there is no additional bootleg trail that continues past the viewpoint.) I returned the way I came but wanted more so I cut thru the closed-for-the-season MidFork CG, went on the CCC trail and then up past Nordrum Lookout, up Quartz Ridge and Vista. Those narrower Quartz Ridge (bootleg) trails are a bit of a contrast to the new Garfield Ledges which looks like it is built for the masses. Don't get me wrong, I love Quartz Ridge and someone has done a lot of work and should be proud of it. With just a bit of snow lingering, I got up to about 3000' before stopping. I came back down to the valley floor the way I came but then went to the MidFork TH and then took the new Middle Fork Connector along the Taylor river. Wow! there are some great viewpoints along there, looking up at Garfield. I crossed over the bridge again and got back to the van at the TH.
For next time: Repeat the same route but add in Stegosaurus Butte for a trifecta.
Comments
Nordique on Garfield Ledges, Middle Fork Connector Trail, Nordrum Lookout, Quartz Ridge
Dave, thanks for the trip report! My hope is that we are now just at the beginning of hiking trail development up the Middle Fork! The old fire lookout location is now very overgrown but a view could be developed at that location, as a way to spread out hikers now going only up to Garfield Ledges. There is so much potential up the Middle Fork!
Posted by:
Nordique on Oct 11, 2019 07:35 PM