| |
|
| | |
|
| Hiking | 5.26 Miles |
452 AEG |
| | Hiking | 5.26 Miles | 3 Hrs 40 Mns | | 2.25 mph |
| 452 ft AEG | 1 Hour 20 Mns Break | | | |
|
|
| |
| Linked |
|
none
[ show ]
| no linked trail guides |
| Partners |
|
[ show ]
| partners | | This one lived up to its billing plus it seemed to be primo season for wildflowers and not only that, some of the wildflowers are the same as I saw in Glacier Park  this summer. After a bit of a late start we got the dogs assembled for their first hike and started on our way. The great thing about this hike is it is along the creek all the way so an out and back is a pleasure.
You go by two fish dams with water flowing over so that's pretty cool. You walk on a path in meadows of grass with wildflowers scattered about with the most impressive being the very tall monkshood. Also, there is a great smattering of all sorts of fir trees in all sorts of colors and shapes and sizes  . Yes, there is the burn area off in each direction but you hardly notice.
The trail would get a little mushy in parts due to the rains that frequent the area in the afternoon. We also encountered a few hikers here and there and a few backpackers too. This is a hike that you don't get your speed up or you might miss a wildflower or two. There is such a great variety and I'm one of those that likes to get a pic of each....
We reached the main confluence of the West Fork and that is where we turned around. It was our thot that we would hike back to the cars, have lunch and then drive around and hike the West Fork Trail. The journey back was as wonderful as coming in. We would see new flowers and of course see the creek from a different angle and with different lighting. I took more movies than anything but how often do you get to hike along a meandering creek for 2+ miles and back?!  . Plus it provides an excellent sound track.
As we got closer to the TH, the weather became more ominous and the winds picked up and the sky darkened. Yep, you guessed it: 1) we got back just in time 2) no West Fork Trail today. Ambika and Guru took us on some back roads to get to their place so that was fun. We stopped at the vista above Round Valley and believe it or not, it was darn right chilly. But the views were wonderful and there were lots of Mexican hat flowers around too.
We finished our day at their nearly self-sufficient off the grid cabin with fajitas looking out their large windows and then wine up on the deck. Their views are at Escudilla; very cool! Yep, my kind of glamping for sure!
Video 1 from road to West Fork Trl Jct http://youtu.be/xmuMTxLezTY
Video 2 back from West Fork Trl Jct http://youtu.be/ljNfQaYOaiw |
|
Wildflowers Observation Substantial
sneezeweed, monkshood, brown eyed susans, two western shooting stars, meadow rhue, blue bells and hare bells, larkspur, fleabane |
|
| _____________________
For me, sometimes it's just as much about the journey as the destination.
Oh, and once in awhile, don't forget to look back at the trail you've traveled. |
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Route Editor
Route Scout
