Although I'd hiked from the Tarbell TH to Hidden Falls, and returned on L-1210, I had not hiked the end of the Tarbell or Silver Shadow trail. So, set out with one of our dogs to do the Silver Shadow loop clockwise. Was glad I'd worn a bright orange t-shirt when I passed two hunters with rifles on L-1100 on the way to the TH.
Chatted with two mountain bikers, preparing to ride to Hidden Falls in the parking lot. Saw one other car, and a pickup truck with horse trailer as well. The vine maples sported bright red and orange leaves as we set out on the the beginning of the Tarbell. Mt St Helens displayed snow on her upper reaches when we paused to admire the view from one of the picnic sites.
Turning left at the Tarbell trail signs, we went up the north side of Kloochman Butte, enjoying the crisp 41F temps and clear skies. Had good views of Spotted Deer and Bells Mountain as we passed in and out of clear cuts, older forest patches, and replanted areas. Crossed L-1121.
About 1.1 mi from the parking area, we turned right at the Silver Shadow sign. The trail headed W, then SW through a recently reforested clear cut, switchbacking gently down the hill. Enjoyed the older trees in a wooded area next, with more switchbacks before we crossed L-1210. The trail was clearly marked on the far side.
We continued south through 10-25 year old trees. The dog got a little spooked when she scented something. I saw bobcat prints in some of the trail's softer areas for a little bit. Emerged into a larger clear cut. Right near the bottom Silver Shadow sign, I admired the young giant sequoia, now taller than I am, growing among the firs. The homage to trail workers. We'd walked 1.8 mi from the first Silver Shadow trail sign at the Tarbell.
As we continued, we crossed L-1123 and one of its offshoots. At one point, the trail emerged onto a logging road, and I saw no trail on the far side. We walked farther north on the logging road, and looked down a west-headed side road, before finding a sign that said 'Horse Trail' just past some black plastic protecting a small creek back on the first logging road. Appreciated two bridges, with horse fencing, one across a low area, with large logs, and another across a deeper ravine with a creek.
As we climbed closer to the trail's end, I saw the gate blocking L-1120/L-1210. Was tempted to just head for the gate, but wanted to complete the Tarbell trail end. So, I crossed the road and headed east along the Tarbell until we came to the two Tarbell signs with distances to Rock Creek and Hidden Falls. Turned left, back west, retracing the morning's first path. This last stretch measured 2.2 mi. which included my detour looking for the trail continuation after that logging road crossing.
Total mileage: 5.1 terrain miles. If you subtract the .2 mi from the parking area to the Tarbell signs, traversed twice, that would give 4.7 mi for the loop itself. The dog and I, with many picture/water breaks/dog treat stops took 2:22 hrs for the loop and stub to/from parking lot. Tread was in good shape. Some areas had been recently brushed. A few areas on the last section of the Tarbell have some enthusiastic bracken ferns crowding the trail now.
Comments