9/30/19 15.26 miles with 3261ft elevation gain in 10hrs 18 mins total time and 9hrs 23 mins moving time only stopped for a total of 55minutes.

Started at the Trapper Creek trailhead at 6am solo. Took the Dry Creek trail 194 (pretty flat with some small inclines, trail is in good condition in dense Forrest.) going in. Then took Big Hollow trail 158 (uphill trail in good condition till less than a mile from the bear camp trail junction where there is thick bushes covered in snow on a narrow trail. I had to crawl on my hands and knees to get through these, also could be easy to loose trail in the bushes. Snow starts a mile or two from bear camp junction.) Bear camp has a couple of good camp spots. At the trail junction I took the Observation trail (in good condition gradual decline with some snow on ground and some treewhacking) south to Trapper Creek Trail 192 (trail starts out with a gradual decline then turns steep, narrow, switchback decline with obstacles on trail. Hiker only trail.) On the Trapper Creek trail in the steep area there is a beautiful waterfall in a huge slide area, it is a must see! None of the Creek crossings have man made bridges (rock hopping and log crossings) in place, one Creek crossing had a washed out bridge. Lots of shrooms on the trails. Several good camping spots next to water sources on the trapper Creek trail. Couple of bridges over small creeks on the Dry Creek trail.

Would not recommend this big loop hike for small children and the trails are not handicap friendly.

Saw no one on the trails till I was close to the parking area (heard people on the dry Creek trail).

Made it back to my car at 4:04pm. Someone from a previous day had not secured the lid on the trashcan at the bathroom, so critters got into the trash. I picked up the majority of the trash and secured the lid back on.

My partner and I headed out for a 3-nighter in the Trapper Creek Wilderness over the long Holiday weekend.  We hoped to do some sort of loop and began our trip at Big Hollow Trailhead East of the wilderness boundary.  Our main hopes for the weekend were to get some time out of the city, and hopefully avoid the crowds on memorial day weekend.  We were also hoping that higher elevations wouldn't be too snowy and that mosquitoes wouldn't be too bad.  For less details and important take homes see the last paragraph.  

Day 1: We left the trailhead (Big Hollow) around 3:00 PM, and our car was the only one there.  We saw one party camping on Dry Creek Road (road 64).  We decided to hike north up trail 158, then planned to hike south from the junction on the wilderness area boundary (on the west leg of the triangle) and find a place to camp.  We climbed and climbed!  We didn't realize that we'd be gaining 2200' of elevation in 3.8 miles, but I think it was better that way.  On they way up we saw prints of bear and dog, and blooming wildflowers (dogwood, bunchberry, Oregon Grape).  Perhaps 2 large trees across the trail were easy enough to navigate around, but did require some thought with heavy packs on. We got to the wilderness area boundary, which was followed by the trail junction. At the top of the "triangle" (this is 3 trail segments that form a triangle, each leg on average 0.4 miles in length) there was a good camp spot, but we passed it up because we were hoping to get further off the trail.  We encountered 2-3 patches of snow on the trail but it wasn't an issue for passing/trail finding.  There is a flat and wooded area south of the South junction of the triangle with several flat and secluded spots large enough for a 2 or 3-person tent.  That's where we set up for the night.  This area also was right near a small creek.  On this day we might have seen 2 parties tops, but no other backpackers.

Day 2: Hiked North and East on the bottom leg of the triangle to get to the non-primitive trail to Observation point.  This was a bit of a climb but nothing compared to our prior morning.  The view was obstructed by the heavy mist/fog but we weren't disappointed; it's a good excuse to come back.  The landscape was beautiful with grasses, low alpine plants, and wildflowers.  The trek up is undoubtedly "worth it."  We then headed down to trapper creek via observation ridge trail and big slide trail (#132 and #195 respectively).  Although trail 195 is considered "primitive" it was easy to follow.  very steep at times as reflected on the map.  This was the wettest day, so we found a spot rather quickly.  Several good spots are available on trapper creek trail ( #192) west of the junction with bid slide trail (#195).  On day 2 I believe we only saw one party in the morning.  That evening we saw 3 other tents near ours, but not in sight and I think all their occupants were in for the night by 5 PM.

Day 3:  We hiked south to Trapper Creek Trailhead and then North along the Dry Creek Trail (#194).  As a runner, I loved this trail.  Sarah and I appreciated it's flatness and the full under story lit by sun after 2 days of rain and showers.  The trail is relatively flat compared to other trails in the region and in places you can see it extend more than a quarter mile ahead.  It mostly parallels "Dry" Creek, and we settled on a campsite just off the trail about 2 miles north of the trailhead.  For Memorial Day, the Trapper Creek Trail wasn't too busy at all; this is definitely a great choice for a weekend that might be busy in other spots. We didn't see anyone along Dry Creek trail.  We took a dip in Dry Creek and it was freezing.  This creek offers several wonderful swimming spots (4+ feet deep).

Day 4:  We woke up early and hiked out.  North a few miles to the Big Hollow trailhead.  We encountered the same creek crossing that we did on day 1.  Easy to walk on logs and not get wet, but for those with poor balance or a large pack and sore legs it is worth getting your shoes wet- that's the choice we made.  We got back to the trailhead and there was only a single other car, on Memorial Day!

Take homes:  Snow on the trail was almost nonexistent and where it was present it was easy to navigate around.  Bugs not an issue.  Definitely a good place to beat the crowds.  Self issue wilderness permits are FREE and at each trailhead.  NW Forest Pass required.  Observation point is definitely a trip highlight even if it's cloudy...  The wilderness area offers a variety of landscape and trails.  If you hope to hike a loop, expect some considerable elevation.  Possibilities exist for an overnight as well without as much elevation gain.  Overnight temps were probably in the high 30s at higher elevations.  Water access abundant.

This trail can be accessed from 2 locations. The south trailhead is shared with the Trapper Creek trail and has large parking lot with a toilet (NW Forest Pass required). Access from the north is just off rd 64 at the Big Hollow Trailhead and has limited parking. From the south, the trail splits almost immediately from the Trapper Creek trail and travels through a mossy forest of big leaf maples. The dry creek bed comes into sight with a couple nice viewpoints of it in an area that climbs above the riverbed somewhat. Later, the creek or a tributary has water which can be accessed at a couple different points to relax along the pebbly banks.  The trail climbs only slightly overall and ends at the intersection with the Big Hollow trail 3.8 miles from the start.

Hiked to Big Hollow Creek and back. An easy going 7.5 mi round trip hike. Ran into a mountain biking couple and one solo hiker, so a peaceful trail as well.

Crossing at Bourbon Creek was easy - fairly low and there is your choice of rocks or downed log to use. 

Around the trail intersection for Dry Creek Trail #194 and Big Hollow Trail #158 there are active yellow jacket nests. Dog got stung a few times and I got stung once, so be cautious and keep tightly on trail while hiking through the open areas before heading back into the tree cover. Then it seemed quiet again.

A good winter trail that is an easy hike and nothing to ford.  Most of the walk is sheltered in a tall canopy forest of (secondary) Douglas and Hemlock fir - in a narrow valley with no scenic views.  The trail begins at the Trapper Creek Wilderness parking lot and heads due north, parallelling Dry Creek (inaptly named as it was swift, more than waist deep, and full).   The trail comes close to the stream about 6 times.  The second mile is along an old rail bed and straight.  The third mile is along Dry Creek.  The final trail meanders more and some snow remained on the trail near the end.  Rain was mild, on and off, dripping constantly off the trees, and the temperature in the 50s.  Five fallen trees across the trail are easy to to go around or under.  Stump remnants of old growth Cedar from an earlier cut abound.  The total up and back is 8.0 miles.