Great hike along the Cast Creek - Horseshoe Ridge trail last Friday.
Rhodies were blooming at about 3500’ on Cast Lake Trail. We found avalanche lilies and mosquitoes near the Cast Creek - Zigzag Mtn trail junction.
We did not venture to East Zigzag Mtn but did check out Cast Lake. There is no sign at the Cast Lake turnoff.
There was some snow on the trail around Cast Lake and the trail was marshy on the south side. Camp spots on the north side of the lake looked dry, snow-covered on the south. No mosquitoes.
More snow near Zigzag Mtn above 4700’. Easy enough to navigate, but some snow bridges across the trail. Also blowdown on the Zigzag Mtn Trail.
Great views from the unnamed peak on Zigzag Mtn trail.
Hike mystery: We found two trees with these blazes. Both trees were dead. Both had blazes on the uphill and downhill sides. On the Horseshoe Ridge trail, the blazed tree was just inside the wilderness boundary. Not sure about the tree on the Cast Creek trail. Just seemed odd that we saw no other blazes.
Cast Creek - Horseshoe Ridge Loop
Re: Cast Creek - Horseshoe Ridge Loop
Good to see a report on that loop.
I believe the horizontal blazes are survey markers, so it makes sense the one is on the wilderness boundary (and maybe the other, too). To find others, you would need to go off-trail along the boundary. There were always two, to show they had some intention and import rather than someone taking some random swipes with a Pulaski.
I believe the horizontal blazes are survey markers, so it makes sense the one is on the wilderness boundary (and maybe the other, too). To find others, you would need to go off-trail along the boundary. There were always two, to show they had some intention and import rather than someone taking some random swipes with a Pulaski.
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- Posts: 34
- Joined: September 26th, 2021, 10:52 am
Re: Cast Creek - Horseshoe Ridge Loop
Thanks for the report! How was the Lost Creek crossing on the Horseshoe Ridge trail?
- Sugar Pine
- Posts: 184
- Joined: April 28th, 2017, 12:23 pm
Re: Cast Creek - Horseshoe Ridge Loop
Natmospheric, there was a big log we used to cross the creek. I believe as we got close to the creek the trail split, we went right and then crossed on the log. It was a bit high off the creek, but solid.
Bobcat, thanks for the intel on the blaze. Not sure when I'll be back there, but will definitely look for more blazes on the boundary.
Bobcat, thanks for the intel on the blaze. Not sure when I'll be back there, but will definitely look for more blazes on the boundary.
- retired jerry
- Posts: 14425
- Joined: May 28th, 2008, 10:03 pm
Re: Cast Creek - Horseshoe Ridge Loop
you can cross Lost Creek on the car bridge, into Riley campground, then walk along Lost Creek down stream until you hit the Horseshoe Ridge trail. There's sort of a trail.
Re: Cast Creek - Horseshoe Ridge Loop
Hiked the Cast Creek - Horseshoe Ridge Loop yesterday (8/11/2022).
The unmarked trail head is on the right just past Riley Horse Camp at a wide spot just before the road narrows.
Cast Creek Trail is in great shape. Ran into a forest service crew who said they'd cleared it last year.
Trail to Cast Lake is unsigned but obvious. Hiked around lake, seems marshy section has dried out.
Crew was working on Zig Zag Mtn Trail 775 which is quite over grown and has lots of small downed logs as does the higher sections of Horseshoe Ridge.
The unmarked trail head is on the right just past Riley Horse Camp at a wide spot just before the road narrows.
Cast Creek Trail is in great shape. Ran into a forest service crew who said they'd cleared it last year.
Trail to Cast Lake is unsigned but obvious. Hiked around lake, seems marshy section has dried out.
Crew was working on Zig Zag Mtn Trail 775 which is quite over grown and has lots of small downed logs as does the higher sections of Horseshoe Ridge.
- retired jerry
- Posts: 14425
- Joined: May 28th, 2008, 10:03 pm
Re: Cast Creek - Horseshoe Ridge Loop
thanks for the report
any mosquitoes???
it must be about time for the mosquitoes to dissipate, although what we really need is some freezing nights
any mosquitoes???
it must be about time for the mosquitoes to dissipate, although what we really need is some freezing nights