Today was National Trails Day (which started in 1993)! On this day, Boy Scout Troop #594 from Maple Valley, WA consisting of 6 scouts and 2 adults volunteered as part of a work party for Washington Trails Association. They spent the full day improving the trail by shoveling gravel, building trenches, moving logs and large rocks to create a safe and beautiful trail for all hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. The trail head for the work party was located off I-90, exit 34, approximately 10 miles down SE Middle Fork Road (Forest Service Road 56). It is not clear if the trail they were working is actually named the CCC Truck Road Snoqualmie Pass -- North Bend Area as identified here but they were definitely working on the CCC Road Trail. As reported by the WA Trails Association, the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) Road Trail was built in the 1930's by unemployed men who worked in the woods building trails, national park lodges, and roads. In the 1960s the CCC road was used to give clear-cutting loggers fast access to the Middle Fork's forests. Today, the road has been reverted to a trail and the forests are regenerating resulting in a beautiful setting for all to enjoy. Our boy scout troop would like to also recognize the other hard working volunteers assigned to this same trail as well as all volunteers who took the time to give back to their communities around the country on this special day. The troop had such a fun time volunteering, they are already talking about volunteering again for the Washinton Trails Association or at least make National Trails Day an annual event.

Followed directions, trailhead wasnt marked with road sign, just a fence. we went 2 miles and never intersected the CCC road, but came to a logging type weighing station, where it says not to trespass. so we turned around to head back. It was raining pretty hard, but no snow was on the ground. It wasnt a very scenic hike... i wouldnt recomend it

In past years, I've hiked most of the CCC Truck Road trail, but the easternmost section between the Bessemer Mountain road and the Middle Fork road had eluded me--until today. Now that the Middle Fork road is open, it seemed like a good time to have a look around. This part of the CCC Truck/Road trail proved to be pleasant and scenic to hike. The trail gradually climbs through woods to an impressive vista point, marked as "Tall Mossy Cliff" ( A Harvey Manningism) on the Green Trails map of the area. Much of the way, the old road is blasted out of solid bedrock, which forms a mossy, fern-draped wall on its uphill side. Seeing all of the blasted rock made me appreciate the hard work accomplished by the Civilian Convervation Corps in constructing the road in the '30s. Beyond the vista, the path descends gently to a junction with the Bessemer Mountain logging road, about 3 miles from the trailhead. I chose to turn around at this anti-climatic spot. The previous winter's harsh weather has left its mark on the CCC trail. Two major landslides have covered the trail with rocks and logs. Not too difficult for hikers to cross, the landslides do have the benefit of keeping jeeps and motorbikes from using the trail, a problem that has been festering for some time. Excepting the landslides, the CCC trail is in decent condition, with some eroded, washed-out areas, a bit of brush, and a few blowdowns. Since the hike to the Tall Moss Cliff vista was rather short, I also explored another short hike, called "Bessemer Toe Ledge" in this website (look in the "informal trails" section). http://www.midforc.org/fram?url_id=12 Just before the first big landslide, about a half mile from the trailhead, a logging road veers right from the CCC road and heads up the hill. This is start of the route to the Bessemer Toe Ledge. After a short climb, turn left onto an incredibly rocky road, which climbs steeply near the creek that suffered the landslide last winter. Eventually the road/trail veers left and does a climbing traverse up the slope to the east. Nearing the ledge, the road levels out and fades away. The final approach to the ridge is essentially cross-country travel. Ignore the scattered unhelpful ribbons, make a level traverse to the east as best you can, and just follow the map and your nose. When you finally arrive at the Ledge, you will know it...the sweeping vista of the Mid Fork valley is impressive. The spot looks like it is someone's favorite haunt: elaborate stone benches have been built and there even is a stash of camping chairs under a tarp. Perhaps these same users also are the jeeper engineers who have been driving up the old road, cutting trees and logs with chainsaws, and even trying to open a new road up the slope. The Forest Service is well-advised to keep an eye on the CCC road to make sure that the motorized intruders don't return. The big ditch they dug at the start of the trail may not keep the jeeps out for long.

With the Middle Fork Road closed to all users at least theoretically, the CCC road is the only legal way into to the valley. Today seemed like a good day to check it out. Since it was midweek, I drove all the way from the end of Mt. Si Road to the big blue DNR gate that marks the west end of the CCC road/trail. There is very little parking there, and if you drive to the gate, discretion is advised in order to avoid annoying the natives. In particular, don't block the gate. To avoid problems, many people park at the bus turnaround at the start of the Mt. Teneriffe road and walk up from there. The drive to the gate from the end of Mt. Si Road can be a bit confusing. The most important trick is to take the right-branching road at the complicated junction at the top of the hill. The left-branching roads are private drives. Several inches of new snow had fallen in the area. I walked my bike up the initial steep climb, then it was easy (though muddy and slushy) riding on top of a 1600' high plateau, a remnant of a river delta deposited during the Ice Age. I was able to ride my mountain bike all the way to the start of the Green Mountain road/trail, where heavier drifts of snow blocked progress. The Green Mountain Road was also very snowy. It looks like a week or more of melting is needed before the CCC road is usable beyond the Green Mountain junction. In past years, I've managed to ride a bike all the way to the Bessemer Peak road. The CCC road gets rough in places, but it's doable on a bike. On a topo map, you may notice another road that loops back from the Green Mountain road/trail to the main CCC road, joining it at the point where it first tops out on the plateau. This road is little-driven and pleasant to walk or bike. Unfortunately it still has a heavy snow cover, and I could not check out its condition today.

Only one rough spot on the CCC trail. A slide of clay washed out a spot of the trail, but it was being fixed by a group of WTA volunteers (who were up to their knees in mud). The crew created a short detour around the wash-out. The rest of the trail was smooth sailing. Lots of gnat-like bugs and mosquitoes, so be sure to use insect repellent.