Serene hike if you're looking for a peaceful day on the mountain with a good workout! Beautiful, green meadows, wild flowers and lush green forests - follows a lovely creek that beckons your feet for a refreshing soak on the way back to the car. This trail might not share the same beauty as it's nearby neighbors but makes up for what it lacks in scenery with solitude (saw 6 people total, 4 of them on our way down).
Well graded, gradual climb with switchbacks for the first 1.5-2 miles and it's all trickery since the quad burning hard work is yet to come. Once you reach the ridge line look for the pole with a string tied to it, that's your marker to go left. If you continue straight (which was a happy accident for us) you'll end up on the De Roux spur and should you intend to use it as a connector/loop, know that it gets narrow and unmaintained pretty quickly. If you want a peek-a-boo view a of gorgeous green meadow, take this detour for a few hundred feet before heading back up the ridge and going left toward Koppen.
Now the trail gets steep and you'll need to navigate some downed trees - it's a matter of assessing footing, looking for a way around or climbing over. Next you'll reach another ridge with stellar views of the Stuart Range that makes for a welcome lunch/rest spot before heading up again. Here you''ll meet another semi-short steep (in parts) climb on your way to the summit. The last bit is windy & chilly so you might want to put on your hat & jacket before making your way to the top. I will say the final ascent/descent was not enjoyable with the steep grade, heavy winds and loose gravel so take that for what it's worth; I was.Not.A.Fan. Rarely does my fear of heights kick in and here it did, so if you suffer from the same problem, make your own risk assessment knowing you have to come down.
P.S.Google maps will not get you all the way to De Roux TH/campground so continue on past the point it tells you "you've arrived" about another 1/2-1 mile, you'll see it and the TH sign on your left. Nice, maintained bathroom there too.
Comments