Five of us hit the trail at about 0900 this morning. After crossing the marvelous suspension bridge we made our way east. This trail is in great shape. Our thanks to the WTA and job corps folks working on the trail. The trail didn't seem to need much work but I guess there is always room for improvement. We hiked about 6 miles to the junction of the 1003.1 trail where we took a lunch break. We then crossed back over the river and hiked back via the 56 road. Even though this made it a loop hike it wasn't worth it. The scenery was much nicer on the trail. Next time, we will stick with the trail. No bugs. No blow downs (they have all been cleared) No more snow. No washouts. No mud to speak of. This trail is in great shape!

First time for me hiking this trail. Very worthwhile. Shane's report sums it up (see 5/19/08). Nice peakaboo views along the trail of Mt. Garfield, Middle Fork Snoqualmie River, Stegasaurus Butte, and other nearby mts. The Gateway Bridge is crossed almost at the trailhead after which there is an option of left or right. I went left (east). I soon passed a WTA work crew of about 6 to 8 people. Very nice folks, thanks for the great work! The trail did not have any blowdowns the first 2 miles plus. There is a stream crossing just past 2 miles (easily negotiated by stepping on rocks). After the stream was a sign of another crew working trail maintenance from the Pacific Northwest Trails (a youth job corps?). I didn't see them until after 3 miles in. The trail goes back down by the river at around 3 miles. I noted blowdowns from about 2 1/2 miles to 3 miles. I chatted with the leader of the job corps, he had some great stories about time he spent in Alaska. I went up to a small waterfall (with bridge) at around 5 miles give or take. I went another 1/2 mile or so past this and then turned around. I had an interesting encounter at that point. I heard a large crack sound and looked up the slope. I shouted to anybody up there (thought maybe another work crew). No answer and seconds later a large crack and down comes a small tree with birds scattering. Did not come near the trail. Now that was a first for me. Wasn't windy out either. So the question is, If I had not been there, would that tree have made any noise? Ok, enough bad humor. I returned and came upon the job corps group. They were just finishing up clearing the last of downed trees, etc. That was also a first; encountering some blowdowns on the way in, but having a cleared trail on the way out. I later came upon the WTA crew. I spoke with a lady on the crew who asked about the trail ahead (she was thinking about coming back and hiking it). I would really recommend it. No snow to worry about, and you can literally go as far as you like. The other crew came in at Dingford Creek which I believe I probably hiked about half way (or a little further) to. This trail would also eventually take you to Snow Lake or Goldmeyer Hot Springs etc. The lady left me her card. I'll have to do my part and volunteer some time. Thanks so much to both crews for 1) clearing the trail and 2)the nice conversation. Good hike to do now with so many higher elevation hikes still snowbound. Only downer was the chuckholey road. I'll be back to check out Stegasaurus Butte and points to the right next time.

This is one of those trails you know about, but don't always consider because 1) it's not challenging enough or 2) the road is too rough to get there or 3) you're saving it for a rainy day. Well, I say, what are you waiting for? I, too, have passed this trail up several times on the way to Goldmyer, the Taylor Fork or the road's end (back before the gate). But, I have to say I was pleasantly surprised after hiking this little gem. The trail starts out by the river, then swings up and away from the water, but then around 3 miles in, the trail works its way back to the river. At this point (3 miles)--at the first nice cobbly beach-- we turned around, after picnicking along the river. A few notes if you are currently planning a trip out to the Middle Fork... The road has a notorious reputation for being rough, rough, rough. And, the reputation is somewhat well-earned. I found that after the pavement ends, the county portion of the road is actually in worse shape than the Forest Service portion further in. Just take your time and be attentive; some pot holes are forgiving and some are not. Since this trail follows the river, be aware that spring runoff is in full-swing and the river is moving rapidly; use caution when approaching the river bank. On the trail, there are a number of blow-downs beyond mile 2, but none of them are enough to impede experienced hikers. (There was evidence that a trail crew had been through recently and the first couple of miles are in excellent shape.) There is one stream crossing that we found somewhat difficult with the high water of late. Luckily, a large log has fallen across the stream and it's large enough to provide a safe crossing, providing the water doesn't get any higher. During low water, this crossing would be quite easy to splash across. And, finally, the rewards... I was surprised at how scenic this trail can be. There are some nice views early-on of Garfield Mountain across the river. The imposing south-facing granite slopes were mostly free of snow and provided a couple of nice photo ops. I already mentioned the gushing Middle Fork; the amount of water (and the sound) was impressive and that energy could be nearly tasted in the air. Also, a number of spring wildflowers were out in nice displays: trillium, skunk cabbage, salmonberry, Canada violet, miner's-lettuce, bleeding heart, Hooker's fairybells, plus a couple of others I have yet to I.D. Birds were present along much of our hike: ravens, Steller jays, robins, hummingbirds (going after salmonberry blossoms), and towhees. Although we did do this hike on a Monday, we only saw two other people most of the day. As we neared the trailhead, we passed several others heading in for late afternoon strolling. I would hike this trail again, especially going further upriver. It could make a nice long approach to Goldmyer. But, long or short, this is a nice trail if you're itching for a dose of the wild close to Pugetopolis. What are you waiting for?

The Middle Fork trailhead is reached from I90 exit 34, some 12 miles along FS Road #56. This pot-holy road is currently not too bad, however suggest take it easy. Trail begins at the bridge crossing; turning right will take you to Pratt River trail, our group turned left with great views of the craggy Garfield Mountain, currently flecked with snow. Aside from a couple of downed young trees, this trail is in very good shape and showing signs of extensive recent maintenance. We ambled along this beautiful river for about 4 miles in misty, cloudy and rather chilly weather. With patchy snow/mud underfoot (gaiters are good),we turned around after a quick hot drink with lunch. While returning to the trailhead, we heard rapid gunfire coming from a location across the river. The unexpected noise continued for probably a very uneasy 30 minutes. Stats; around 8 miles RT with minimal gain. Maps, GT 174 and 175 Northwest forest Pass required

I returned to Red Pass with the intent of further reconnaissance of the old Cascade Crest trail. The snow that was blocking safe access to this trail three weeks ago was completely melted out. Descending from Red Pass was straightforward, although I was briefly alarmed to hear rocks spontaneously falling from Lundin Peak above. They were small and none hit me...this time. Heading down, I was well aware of the “Grand Canyon syndrome” – aspiring to a destination downhill without due consideration of the return. In this case I was hoping to find exactly where the old Crest trail came out on the Middle Fork Trail, some 3500 feet below. The downhill leg went easily but without much view owing to the low cloud cover. At the bottom I came up to Burntboot Creek and turned left (downstream) thinking I had yet to come upon the Middle Fork Trail. After a half mile I realized that was what I was walking on! I had given some consideration to making a loop down the Middle Fork to Rock Creek, then up and over Snow Lake and out to Alpental and back to the PCT. This seemed just too long and would not have saved much elevation gain, so I turned around and headed back. Finding the old Crest trail from the Middle Fork might be tricky. Where the Middle Fork Trail crosses Burntboot Creek (to get to Goldmeyer Hot Springs), don’t cross the creek. Stay on the south bank and follow an ambiguous tread upstream through a jumble of downed logs and brush. Within 50-100 yards the path turns away from the stream and immediately becomes clearly defined. For an abandoned trail the old trail is in great shape and delightful to walk on. It obviously gets little use, and there are sections where the tread is returning gently to the hillside, but it’s always easy to follow and someone has been cutting out blowdowns and keeping the trail clear. For a long while it switchbacks up a forested slope with some huge old-growth trees. There is a view of a nice waterfall on Goat Creek. Eventually the trail comes to a more defined ridgetop and there are views that get better as you get higher and into more alpine territory. The trail climbs at a steady uphill pace most of the way. I must say that the return up to Red Pass was grueling, and I stopped often to pick berries and get a breather. At least the weather had cleared some so I could appreciate the views. I don’t plan to hike all the way down to the bottom again, but hiking part way down the ridge and back would be fine. Or one could just hike up from the Middle Fork, but now it would be a walk of almost 6 miles from Dingford Creek just to get to the start - and from there I’d estimate it’s 4 miles up to Red Pass. Estimated 17 miles, 5800’ elevation gain (ouch). Lots of berries, just a slightly on the tart side of ripe.