My friend Monty and I went on an off trail old growth exploration near the CCC trails.  It was a beautiful sunny day which is pleasant but makes for difficult forest photography.

We started at the Cliff trailhead and ended at the Bessemer Rd trailhead with a 2 car shuttle.  First we explored an impressive old cedar grove with the largest tree measuring just shy of 13 feet in diameter! Using my new  Nikon Forestry Pro measuring device it was approximately 190 feet tall.  There were several other cedar in the grove that measured 8-12 feet in diameter.

We scrambled back up to the CCC road and after about a mile headed back off trail to scout out an unusual grove of old Spruce and Big leaf Maple.  This area was very brushy and travel was slow and exhausting.  The Maples were old and huge and covered in moss.  As we got close to the Bessemer Rd we stumbled on a very interesting multistemed Cedar that was 11 feet in diameter.  On the ridge near Bessemer Rd there are several impressive Spruce trees with largest measuring 10 feet in diameter.

Only 5.2 miles and 1000feet elevation but felt like almost double that.  

Our hiking goal was to find the Spruce-Sitka unmaintained trail, which would take us to the middle of the CCC trail and to the Green Mountain, and then to hike to the beginning of the CCC near the Teneriffe trail parking lot. 

We drove out the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River just past the new parking lot for Granite Creek. We crossed the Snoqualmie river and parked our car. The Sitka-Spruce trail starts right at the end of the bridge on the left side of the road and drops about 10 feet to the trail. The first creek to cross does have a few rocks to step on, but can still be tricky.  This trail is about 1.3 miles to the CCC road/trail.  (The Green Mountain trail starts from the CCC trail near this point.) Enough hikers use the Sitka-Spruce trail that even though there was some snow, the trail was mostly bare and pretty easy to follow. The last 1/4 mile had several inches of snow.

Upon reaching the CCC we turned right to hike down to the Brawling creek, which is where we left off on our last hike. We turned around there and headed to the west end of the CCC. The CCC had about 4 inches of crunchy snow, which was a little hard to hike in. We also had to cross one set of downed trees, but they were pretty easy to get over. Just after the downed trees was the CCC road, with a right turn that heads up to meet the Green Mountain trail. If hiking when the road is clear of snow, then from here on, the hike will be on a forest road which is sometimes used by vehicles. After about 1 mile we came to tire tracks. Hiking became easier since the tire tracks had worn down the snow to bare ground. The last 1/2 mile or so was snow free.

With warmer weather much of the snow should be gone this week-end or next.

We met a guy who said he is the mountain man, as he lives part time at the end of those tire tracks.

Technically, I did not hike here today. But I wanted to. Because I was uncertain of avalanche conditions, I was opting for Middle Fork of Snoqualmie River instead. However, I'm writing this to alert folks that the pass required is NOT the NW Forest Pass, as indicated. It is the DISCOVER pass. I know this because I was trying to get to the Snoqualmie trailhead and the road conditions were not suitable for my 2WD vehicle so I opted to turn around. I did so at this gate junction and the sign posted required a DISCOVER pass. I'd just hate for someone else to come here and be stuck without the proper pass. Hope to come back when conditions are more stable and do this hike...with the Discover Pass!

It snowed up the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie river area yesterday. Today was a partly to mostly sunny day with the temperatures running around 37 to 42 degrees along the trail and hence was a good day for a snow hike. We did not use nor need snow shoes. Note: I flagged this hike as being "intermittent snow - not hard to cross" because none of the other options fit. The trail was snow covered but was not hard to hike. We did not need micro-spikes nor snow shoes. Walking in the snow is harder than with no snow, however.

The middle fork road was not snow free but by the time we left, most of the snow was gone. We did not encounter any ice on the road, but if it freezes then expect ice due to most of the road being wet.

We parked at the Bessemer trail head and went up the Bessemer trail for 1.1 miles to meet up with the CCC lower trail at Big Blowout Creek. The trail was snow covered from little to 8 inches in some places. Expect the snow to melt off in a few days as it was already a little slushy as we were hiking out.

We crossed Big Blowout and headed west. The creek was difficult to cross but we managed, even though we got our boots wet. We hiked about 2 miles along the CCC to Brawling Creek and returned. We crossed many small creeks, but only 2 were a little tricky to get across. Our dog also managed to cross but she too had a little difficulty.

During the time of year, there are some great views of the mountains on the other side of the Snoqualmie River, such as the Russian Butte.

 

This seems a likely spot to post a report for a trip I've dubbed Blowout Falls.  Needing a Scout hike I picked this one for it's close proximity and sense of adventure.  Though the forecast for North Bend was 45 and partly cloudy we received a little rain and a little snow but no blue sky to be seen. 

Follow the Bessemer Road to the CCC Road - Blowout Creek junction but instead of turning left follow Bessemer Road right.  Where it meets the continuation of the CCC Road going West turn North instead as you would to approach Bessemer Mountain.  Further up passing the quarry the road goes left, makes a switchback right and up, then another switchback left and up.  About three quarters of the way up this segment and before you meet another switchback, the road bends right and levels somewhat.  Here you'll find a water bar that drains between two large boulders into the forest on your left.  Go off the side of the road here and drop down ten feet and start traversing to the East.  You'll find flat areas among the numerous stumps and snags that will carry you on a mostly level path.  You'll hear the falls, just keep heading for the sound.  There's a spot by the river just below the falls where you can drop down to a rock shelf and approach it.  The rocks here are slippery so be careful.

I think this would be a great place to build a trail.  The scramble and the 1400 ft. elevation gain to get to the turnoff would keep it out of the range of most children 6 or under though that depends on how adventurous your child might be.  As always you're the best estimator of your children's ability.  For an adult it could be a quick afternoon hike.