Ascended Little Ranger Peak via the Ranger Creek trail, descended via the Palisades trail. The upper part of the Ranger Creek trail in the burn zone is beginning to see some bad trail erosion on the switchbacks, probably due to bikers and poor soil conditions. There are numerous places where travelers have cut the switchbacks - which only exacerbates the problem.
When you reach the burned section near the top, the major obstacles begin. Fallen trees over the trail abound, the last portion of the Ranger Creek trail to the Palisades trail junction, and on the Palisades trail from the junction to the point just below Little Ranger Peak proper. It was a very difficult journey over the rubble that lasted about an hour or so. There must have been a big blowdown last winter, because I don't recall it being this difficult last year. Photos of the obstacle course included.
The rest of the hike was snow free and beautiful.
Comments
bentley-edelman on Little Ranger Peak via Ranger Creek, Palisades
Thank you for the report and excellent pics showing the conditions. You're so right about the trail devolution going up from the Little Ranger Peak side. I'm pretty sure it's bikes, which is too bad. A sad contrast to other bike-and-hike trails that are carefully and responsibly maintained by bike groups.
Posted by:
bentley-edelman on May 21, 2023 09:09 AM
jimclass on Little Ranger Peak via Ranger Creek, Palisades
It is indeed a shame the way that trail has deteriorated. The washed out switchback up high was originally caused by a fallen tree/rootball. It took that whole section with it. In the fire zone the trail has been undermined and thinned by the burn which makes it much harder to hike/bike. It needs a rebuild. I have worked(in conjunction with the Evergreen bikers group) the last 3 years logging that trail and trying to keep it clear.
There is absolutely no excuse for the cutting of the switchbacks on the lower trail. Every time I go up or down that trail I throw debris and sticks and any logs I can manage to deter this behavior. When I go back, it's been removed. I don't know who is doing this but I've also brought it up on some of the biking sites. It is indeed a blemish. I would love it if whenever you are on that trail you would help remove these shortcuts. And if you would happen to put a couple big trees across them, well that would be great.
Posted by:
jimclass on May 21, 2023 11:57 AM
bentley-edelman on Little Ranger Peak via Ranger Creek, Palisades
Thank you for all the work you do to maintain the trail(s). I will indeed do what I can when we hike there. It seems as if the most degradation on the switchbacks between the Little Ranger viewpoint and the junction with Palisades, has happened in the past three years. . .
Posted by:
bentley-edelman on May 21, 2023 12:02 PM