I ran from the Middle Fork Trailhead along the upstream length of the Middle Fork Trail to the Dutch Miller Gap Trailhead. I returned down the road (Dutch Miller Gap "trail") then cut back over to the Middle Fork Trail at the Dingford Creek Trailhead. This is a 29 mile lollipop route.
The Middle Fork Trail is generally in great shape thanks to some recent work.
The blowdowns are all cleared except for a ~2 mile stretch starting at the Dingford Creek Trailhead going upstream to the beginning of the road (rail?) grade. Based on the evidence of recent clearing elsewhere, I'd bet this stretch will be cleared soon.
Burntboot Creek was surprisingly easy to cross; I was sure I'd be getting quite wet, based on a tricky crossing at the end of last July. When you get to the creek, climb down onto the big log, then drop left onto the 12" log, follow it until it gets wet (and VERY slippery), then hop to the right through the shallower water, getting one foot 3/4 wet and sparing the other one. I didn't see a good way to cross without getting wet feet. There are such nice bridges on all the other creek crossings, it's a bit silly that this one hasn't been redone.
I decided to try out the loop halfway between the Middle Fork TH and the Dingford Creek TH; the trail looks nice from either end, but it's very brushy with quite a bit of blowdown to navigate in the middle. I'd recommend staying on the main trail.
There is a bit of brush in spots, especially at the very end of the trail where it approaches the road to the horse camp. None of it was too stabby.
There's plenty of water along the trail, but it's a bit sparse along the road.
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