The weather was so nice today that I had to sneak a hike before work today. I decided on a hike/bike loop starting at the wildwood recreation area and ending at the Bonanza Trailhead. I stashed my bike at the Bonanza Trailhead and hit was hiking by 815 or so. I hiked past the wildwood gate to the trailhead parking area. Turn left here and cross over a large wooden bridge over the Salmon River. It was a crisp morning & a SLICK bridge!
After crossing the bridge stay on the paved path towards boulder ridge trail. The boardwalk is closed right now anyways due to storm damage. This path has some big stumps but no old growth:(
The pavement ends after about 1/4 mile or so at a sign marking the begining of the boulder ridge trail. The trail begins climbing steeply. This section was HAMMERED by the recent wind storm. I crawled under, climbed over, and shimmied around roughly 30 down trees in 2 miles... Some snapped some uprooted. There are several sections of trail tread that have been lost.
Snapped like a twig.
This big fella was among the fallen but he had a tag...
Into the sun
The trail continues to climb through numerous switchbacks and scattered viewpoints.
Hood, The tiny spec in the middle of the photo was a farmhouse
Eventually the trail starts to slow its ascent a bit. Rather than switchbacks it rides follows just off the top of a ridge slowly gaining elevation.
South view from a saddle
The trail eventually runs into the old Plaza trail. The abandoned section is almost invisible now. Turn right and follow huckleberry ridge. Make your way along a nice ridge top with a lot of rhodies and a few viewpoints. The trail had a bit of snow on it at this point.
This survey marker was a nice surprise:)
After one more final uphill section reach a beautiful open ridge and this rocky point with some pretty awesome views!
Pano
One happy chubby kid;)
Great sky
The wind was really blowing up there so I continued down the ridge. After a half mile I reached the intersection with the Bonanza Trail and started the long walk down.
I really enjoyed this trail. The tread is smaller, there are a lot of interesting rocky areas and it just feels more remote.
After a couple miles the trail flattens out and the treat widens a bit. Shortly after I discovered the bonanza mine. The wind had been pretty loud all day and right before the mine everything went silent. It was terribly eyrie. I was certain something was going come out of there
Lose a bit more elevation and then hit the real hidden gem of this trip. Cheeny Creek is really beautiful!!! My pictures are mostly crap so I won't bother but this is a must see. The trail along here is rugged but at one point the creek splits with a moss covered rocky island in the middle. One each side the creek goes through a series of small waterfalls. One of the prettiest creek sections I've seen this year.
Only pic that isn't blurry as heck from this section
After a couple miles cross cheeny creek and take the first trail on the left (it's a small trail that doesn't look like you should go that way). The trail really seems like it should go straight here but you must turn because the old trailhead is being blocked by the property owner. After a couple hundred feet this trail hits an old logging road. Turn right and head down to the bonanza trailhead. I hopped on my bike and made a slow ride back down to the wildwood parking area!
I missed about a half mile before I turned on my GPS so total around 11.5 miles hiking and 3.5 mile bike back.
Another wonderful day in the woods!
Dan
PS sorry for the giant pics I'm having photobucket issues the last couple of days...
