We first tried the CCC Trail in the northeast direction (towards the Middle Fork Campground), but 0.3 miles in, the stream was raging with recent snowmelt and rain water and we found it impassable. We searched upstream and downstream, but could not find a safe crossing for our group.
Started from the trailhead that is 9.4 miles down Middle Fork Road from 468th Avenue (also known as the Pratt Balcony trailhead); this where the CCC Trail meets the Middle Fork Rd for 0.1 miles. The parking area is big enough for 6 or 7 cars. There is no bathroom here, but there are some along the way on Middle Fork Road.
We first tried the CCC Trail in the northeast direction (towards the Middle Fork Campground), but 0.3 miles in, the stream was raging with recent snowmelt and rain water and we found it impassable. We searched upstream and downstream, but could not find a safe crossing for our group. So we returned to the parking lot and took the CCC Trail in the southwest direction (Towards Blowout Creek/Bessemer Road). This was a nice trail with lots of moss-covered trees and ferns. It had a gentle grade, rising 500 feet over 2.1 miles. The forest was mostly deciduous for the first mile with occasional views of the distant mountains. It then converted to a dense evergreen forest that was lush and green with moss and ferns.. The most notable things to mention are the stream crossings. We encountered 20-30 stream crossings on our 5.0 mile round trip trek. There were two that we found particularly challenging due to wet, slippery, widely spaced rocks, and some of our group ended up with wet feet. Trekking poles and careful scouting of the best route were very helpful. In addition, there were several sections of the trail with standing or running water. I would recommend waterproof boots and good socks (and a change of shoes and socks in the car). We traveled almost to the intersection with Bessemer Road when we got hungry for lunch and found a picturesque spot to stop for lunch. The rain had fortunately been light all day, but worried about the forecast increase and higher water levels in the streams, we returned.
No tree blow downs; thanks maintenance crew! Also, there had been substantial brush trimming significantly widening the trail. Some areas had not yet been trimmed and were a little overgrown.
Delwin Elder
