I enjoyed a very pleasant hike/trail run to Brawling Creek on the CCC road with my dog. This route takes a left on the CCC Road about a mile from the trailhead and soon crosses Blowout Creek. All of the very numerous stream and runoff crossings were fairly easily managed, though the larger ones did require a bit of attention and care to avoid some extremely slippery rocks and keep the shoes dry. While not the most exciting trail, this route does afford some lovely views and it was interesting to observe all the variations in the forest and foliage while ambling along. There were a couple other cars at the trailhead when we arrived early afternoon on a Saturday, but those hikers must have headed a different direction as we met no one on our hike. A most welcome afternoon of solitude after driving past scores of cars at the Mailbox Peak trailhead.

This is a trip report for CCC trail going east from the Blowout Creek TH (as opposed to west in the hike description). There was a stream crossing that we chose not to cross at the beginning of the west bound route. My son, dog, and I hiked this on a Saturday, arriving mid morning. We did not see another soul entire we returned to our car, where another group parked and set out! Driving past the very crowded Mailbox Peak TH, we were glad not to have to find a place to park there. But Middle Fork road past the MB TH is really bad. We were in a 4X4 pickup and got jounced around quite a bit. It took us about 30-40 mins to get to the TH which was only about 6 miles up the road from MB TH on the left (see photo). You're not supposed to park in front of the closed gate so we parked about 50 feet up Middle Fork road from the CCC TH, on the right. After passing around the gate and proceeding up the side road, the CCC TH is about a mile up a gradual hill. You can't miss the signs. The trail in the description goes to the left (west) at this point, with a dicey stream crossing at the outset. We chose not to to attempt the crossing--deep rushing water, slippery rocks, novice hikers with backpacks, and a timid dog! So we went to the right (east), up the road. After about a mile the road bends to the left and the trail, again clearly marked with a sign, continues straight. After that it continues with a mix of trail and logging road indefinitely. We chose to turn back an hour and a half after we parked. Trail had very gentle hills and was in mostly good condition, with occasional boggy areas and washed out stream crossings where we had to pick our way and got our feet soaked anyway. The weather was beautiful so it didn't matter. This is not a trail in the purist sense of the word since so much of it is on a logging road, but it was beautiful nonetheless.

The trail creek crossing at one mile was very difficult, so we just walked up the road a ways then turned back. The forest road beyond the Mail Box Peak trailhead is awful. Huge pot holes. If you don't have an SUV or similar type vehicle don't attempt it. My SUV did fine but I'm sure I loosened a couple of fillings in my teeth.

A few years ago high water forced me to head east rather than west on the CCC Trail. This time the water was high, but just managable. We hit the trail around 10 and there were no other cars. The hike up to the CCC Trail was problem free. The hike west along the CCC was gentle, but involved lots of water crossings. In a few places it would have been difficult to make the crossing if there was any more water. Still we had a nice time enjoying the rain, the greenery, and the views as the clouds moved around. The snow level appeared to be 1000 to 1500 feet above us which would have put it at 2500 to 3000 feet. The Middle Fork Road was in much better shape than I remembered it, but I still think it's best taken in a higher clearance vehicle.