Attemped to reach the middle fork trailhead but turned back just before reaching it when it looked like my sub-minimal clearance car might high center on the 6-8 inches of snow on the road and decided to do the part of the ccc road I hadn't done, the section west from the bessmer spur road. Crossed the creek with dry feet and enjoyed what must be one of the few snow free hikes possible in Western Washington in February. Nice views of the Snoq. Valley. At the high point of the road-trail, right before it heads down steeply to the western access, ran into 2 dogs and no people, (saw no one all day). One was big with very long and thick white fur, and one looked like a boxer puppy (very short fur). They seemed a long way from any houses and seemed nervous but also anxious for human contact. Hope they find their way home. The little one wanted to follow me but I discouraged him from getting away from what I am sure is a source of warmth essential to his survival.

We dropped 2 cars at the Mt. Tenneriffe TH at the school bus turnaround on the Mt. Si Road and then headed over to the Mid Fk Snoq Rd. Five miles past Valley Camp is the Bessemer Rd (gated this time, but not 2 weeks ago) and our starting point. At 1.1 miles up this road is a cairn in the middle at a sharp right hand turn. If you want to do the section that goes upvalley, follow the road to the right a short distance and find the CCC Truck Rd Trail heading off straight at a left turn about a half a mile up. This section is more trail-like with a very rainforest feel to the woods. Our journey, however was to the left and across Blowout Ck which was running high enough for some of us to wade while others more nimble of foot and balance managed to hop over on rocks. The route continues for about 3 miles along the old road with many open spots for views across and up the valley. We even got to sit in the sunshine in Feb! The trail/road merges onto an old logging road ontop of the moraine that blocks the Middle Fork Valley. Another 3 miles along that road through an old clearcut with trees growing up and down off the moraine brought us to another gate and a paved road down to our cars. This is a very nice winter hike, especially the section farthest up the valley. I recommend starting at the east end and hiking west as far as the spirit moves you. The first 3 miles or so has plenty of tree cover for a rain break and the next few miles have lots of open spots for views.

This is a great winter hike. The combination of rain forest/moss-draped old trees and the more open spots with views out to snow-draped mountains is great. We started out on the east end (2.3 miles past the Bessemer Road off the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Road) and headed west intending to do a one-way hike of about 9-10 miles to the other end and our cars parked at the Tenneriffe trailhead. However, the Middle Fork Road's potholes slowed us down enough that we didn't have enough daylight, so we shortened this to a loop: west along the old road, now a nice trail to the Bessemer Road and then down to the Middle Fork Road and back along the road to our cars; probably a little under 6 miles. The trail is in pretty good shape with some small trees/logs across that are easily climbed over or under. There is snow along most of it, but never more than a few inches deep. We'll be back to do the other section. We'll also be back to explore more of the valley and especially for any trail workparties that might be planned to brush out the lower portion of the Middle Fork Trail down to the Pratt River Trail.

The First Lady being on detached duty, I snagged a climbing classmate and we... met this morning to figure out where to go. Bessemer it was, and off we went. All is dandy with this closed-road hike. Nice salmonberries out on the lower trail! Was a little surprised at where we found snow... just below reaching the saddle. The last big bits to the top was largely snow travel. Well consolidated, with big moats to watch out for. After traversing east on the road, makes more sense just to go up the ridge as opposed to (trying to) follow the road to the summit. Snow up to 6-8' deep in places on top (5100'). Nice to make the summit this time. Actually saw a small fleeting sucker hole of blue sky, and a peek over towards Quartz Creek and down into and across the Middle Fork. Briefly.

The CCC Road was one of those projects during the Great Depression. It's a very impressive route up the Middle Fork valley. Seems that we owe many of our highways, roads and trails to the CCC, back when America had money to invest in people and people programs during the Dark Ages before they found a much more noble necessity - corporate welfare and paying Ken Starr to peek in people's bedrooms. We started at MP10 of the Middle Fork Road. It's always a fun drive down the Middle Fork because we use curse words that have been long forgotten. The trailhead is at point 959 on the topo, where the Middle Fork Road curves sharply right. The CCC Road goes back to the left. There are a few windfalls over the trail and two of them lie across the trail. This was a well-built roadbed because there are only a few muddy spots. After nearly three miles, the CCC Road intersects an active service road. We headed up this road, marked by switchbacks, to a waterfall (marked on the USGS topo), heretofore unnamed, but now dubbed MacGyver Falls. The weather was overcast with occasional showers, with wet snow above 2000 feet. Trillum, yellow violet and salmonberry are in flower. There is a very spooky part of the trail where one could probably see lions and tigers and bears, oh my.

The Elanthian Ranger Corps joins some really stressed out people to attempt climbing this substantial hill to the north of the infamous Mailbox Peak. Getting there: Drive up the middle fork of the Snoqualmie River, 1.6 miles past the big cement bridge over the river. On your left, there's a yellow gate. Park, or blow up the gate. Hike or drive up the road, respectively. After a bit, you'll run into 'the CCC road' and follow it for 1/4 mile easterly.. and then turn up the hill again. Being there: Nice just now, salmonberry blossoms out, promised gloriously sunny days.. hmm. Snow was at 3000' (and up) and -very- slushy. Deep, snowshoes were good to have, woulda really been icky without em. Promised days turning to glop we couldn't see in and legs turning to glop we couldn't walk on, we turned back at the saddle at 4000'. Nice view to the North from there, great around the valley views, up the Pratt valley to Granite Mt., etc etc, starting at around 3000'. Advantage of hiking on closed roads and wide trails: you can hike next to your sweetie holdin' hands. Good long hike, worth checking out. Nice waterfalls by the road. Bet the views from the top are quite nice. -Navigator in Chief, Elanthian Ranger Corps