Another hike I haven't visited in over 5 years, I drove up the Foss River Road to see how far I could get. The forest service website said open and I was taking them at their word.
For February, it was the barest I have seen. I was able to easily drive to the East Fork TH with just a few patches of rutted snow. You could turn up towards Tonga if you wanted to but based on West Fork I am guessing you would not get far without high clearance and 4x4. Like the previous trip reporter, I did continue past East Fork to check the road and although I could turn on West Fork Foss Road, I did not continue far as the snow started promptly both in depth and ruts. I had zero desire to get stuck today. The scariest thing, though, was the failing culvert at the junction. The road is eroding and staying on the inbound side would be judicious.
Anyway, I had a 5 mile RT, relatively snow-free walk on East Fork Foss as far as Alturas Lake before turning around. I had hopes when a few patches of snow appeared at the wilderness boundary but they were short lived. The trail was in good shape other than a few trees down, including the large one near the beginning that has been there a while based on the boot path around it. The tread had ice forcing its way up from under the debris of fall and the bridge over Burn Creek was also icy.
Although there was plenty of water running over the trail, it was interesting to see that the expansive moss wall did not have any water dripping through its greenery. I would have thought there would at least be a hint of moisture. I love this section as it follows the old road, leaving it to rise and lower around creek crossings. The first campsite was bare and I imagine the second one after the "lakes" is as well.
This was the first time I had seen Alturas Lake labeled on GAIA, more of a marsh these days. But it was a nice break from the forest, being able to look out at the ridge of Bald Eagle Peak.
The only evidence of others I saw today were prior footprints in the rare patches of snow and the trucks parked at the trestle with ramps for off road vehicles.
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