Table Mountain - Two Chiefs Trail, Feb. 14th, 2017
Posted: February 14th, 2017, 8:02 pm
I wanted to see what was going on at the (formerly) Bonneville Hot Springs resort and also to see if the Table Mt. TH I usually use is still open and un-signed.
--The resort was filled with workmen doing renovation for the transition to a re-hab center. No new signs in the parking area we used to use to access the Dick Thomas Trail in spite of recent reports that there is no access allowed. Nevertheless, once the lodge renovation is finished, I'll check back with them to see what they say in person.
--The Greenleaf Slough TH that goes up the power line road has a new gate but nothing indicating it is off limits for hikers. There is still a wide enough area to the side of the gate for hiker access.
We hiked up the power line road 4/10 mile and entered the forest at the end of the second spur. I call the beginning of this the railroad grade trail as it follows an old logging railway grade towards Table Mt. on what we know today as the Two Chief's Trail. Here is a 1920 map that shows the old Grade. It lacks in accuracy and detail but that's not too bad for the era it was made.
As you enter the forest, this is the sign you will see:
You can see you are on an old fill right after the sign: 30 or 40 years ago, you could still see spikes, nuts, bolts, and rail joining bars along this grade but I haven't seen any in years. They must have finally sunk into the earth or been picked up.
The winter damage to the route is massive and it didn't get any better!
Once out on the main trail/road it looks like this:
As the route skirts Carpenters Lake on the west side it got even worse:
We continued for another half mile past Carpenters Lake but this was really difficult going so turned around and called it a day.
4.1 miles and 747' vertical.
ps, the route we hiked today is covered the entire way (except the power line road) in about 12 to 18 inches of fairly compact snow and ice.
--The resort was filled with workmen doing renovation for the transition to a re-hab center. No new signs in the parking area we used to use to access the Dick Thomas Trail in spite of recent reports that there is no access allowed. Nevertheless, once the lodge renovation is finished, I'll check back with them to see what they say in person.
--The Greenleaf Slough TH that goes up the power line road has a new gate but nothing indicating it is off limits for hikers. There is still a wide enough area to the side of the gate for hiker access.
We hiked up the power line road 4/10 mile and entered the forest at the end of the second spur. I call the beginning of this the railroad grade trail as it follows an old logging railway grade towards Table Mt. on what we know today as the Two Chief's Trail. Here is a 1920 map that shows the old Grade. It lacks in accuracy and detail but that's not too bad for the era it was made.
As you enter the forest, this is the sign you will see:
You can see you are on an old fill right after the sign: 30 or 40 years ago, you could still see spikes, nuts, bolts, and rail joining bars along this grade but I haven't seen any in years. They must have finally sunk into the earth or been picked up.
The winter damage to the route is massive and it didn't get any better!
Once out on the main trail/road it looks like this:
As the route skirts Carpenters Lake on the west side it got even worse:
We continued for another half mile past Carpenters Lake but this was really difficult going so turned around and called it a day.
4.1 miles and 747' vertical.
ps, the route we hiked today is covered the entire way (except the power line road) in about 12 to 18 inches of fairly compact snow and ice.