Middle Fork Giants

Back Looking for Giants

2011-11-11T17:06:00.000-08:00

OK, admittedly it has been too long but it's time to get back to our roots of finding trees and capturing history.

When researching the film Dreams in the Wilderness I heard about a "big tree that 6 people could hold hands and barely reach around". Needless to say, I was a bit skeptical. I've had it on my list for two years to go check out but being I haven't come across a descent big tree in a long time, I just didn't do it.

Well, I gave myself a little Veteran's Day gift and got off work about 10:00, then headed up I-90. There is some great old growth up there, even between the two elevated highways in the picnic area.

To my surprise, the big tree is there. In fact, I think it should be called the Humpback Giant. It measures out at 29' 6" at the base, about 9' 5" in diameter and 229' tall. It even still has it's original. Not sure why the loggers left it, it is only about 100 yards from the railroad grade with stumps all around. Maybe they didn't want to cross the stream (most of the logging is on the east side of Humpback creek)?

There, told you how to find it! There's even a nice campsite by it with a fire ring. Have fun! I did.

A New Trail in the Middle Fork?

2011-01-01T16:21:00.000-08:00

Many of us have followed the boot path up to Kamikaze Falls on the South Slope of Mt Teneriffe but DNR has consistently posted signs saying you shouldn't go there (and we all listen, right?). But now the DNR has constructed a nice trail to the falls and it is well worth it.

Park at the school bus turnaround then follow the road. At about 1.2 miles there is an obvious side road, you will see the trail as you start up that road. Just follow it to the falls. (and just when I thought DNR was run by Darth Vader they go and do something cool like this. OK, another chance).

Can you follow this to the top of Teneriffe? Yes, you can but don't count on it being easy. This is the old Mailbox Peak trail times two for steep and not maintained. At about 2,800 feet is the toughest part, a little scramble up some rocks which is easy when dry, a bit scary with ice. But who can complain about something new to try with 360 degrees of beautiful view and about .1% of the crowd on Mt. Si.

Now DNR just needs to construct a parking lot!

Middle Fork Road is Snowy but Open

2010-12-04T19:56:00.001-08:00

Went up the Middle Fork road today (Dec 4th). The road is open (it seems to have been plowed to just past the Taylor River bridge). If you get off the plowed portion it is pretty tough (10-14 inches snow over ice). Cars can make it to the just past the Taylor River bridge (the road is still gated where you turn right to go up to Dingford) but there is not much room to park. Several cars parked on the road and hard to get around.

The walking is tough right now in the snow, you punch through, but worth it as always on a sunny day.

Something New

2010-07-25T09:42:00.001-07:00

Without a documentary to film I was running out of excuses to go out into the woods. I also learned two things about the US Forest Service while filming Dreams in the Wilderness. First, they really care about the forest and are tasked with an impossible network of conflicting interests. Second, they are terribly understaffed. Can't help with the first but thought I could help with the second so I enlisted in the Volunteer Wilderness Ranger Program.

Turns out this is a pretty cool program and one of the good things the US Government does. I never realized that almost all of the backcountry rangers you run into are volunteers. It is also a great way to get experienced people out into the wilderness in an official capacity helping to preserve and protect it.

Two "thumbs up" to the USFS!

Wow! A Full House

2010-05-06T19:15:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday our film on the Middle Fork Valley, Dreams in the Wilderness: stories from the Middle Fork premiered at the North Bend Theater to a packed house of over 300 people. Zach and I were so proud to show the film and overwhelmed by the response. We just want to thank everyone who came out to watch.

Cindy, owner of the North Bend Theater, not only let everyone in for free but also fixed up Blu-Ray so we could show the full capability of our HD film. Then, so many of you bought books and videos that we made over $350 for the Snoqualmie Historical Society.

If you missed the film, head to the website and get the DVD. The best place to buy it now is at the Snoqualmie Valley Historical Museum in North Bend.

Great Old Growth

2010-04-24T11:31:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it's great to just take a picture. I saw this tree while up on Martin Creek with Cathy McDonald, a freelance journalist for the Seattle Times. I didn't have time to get the right angle, so I went back the next week. Now I have the angle, but need blue skies. That will be another trip.

BTW: Check out Cathy's article on the hike: Northwest Weekend article

The New Pratt Trail

2010-04-24T11:25:00.000-07:00

The new Pratt Valley trail, which will connect from the Wilderness Gateway Bridge at the Middle Fork Trailhead, is going in. The WTA has sign ups to help if you would like to contribute to this work:

http://www.wta.org/volunteer/trail-work-parties

The Road is Really Open (ignore the signs)

2010-04-10T17:58:00.000-07:00

It really puzzles me why these two signs are on the Middle Fork Road because it is open for 12.5 miles (to the Taylor River Trail, the road to Dingford is gated). Here is my theory:

Yellow Sign: This is the county and is referring to the upper road that is washed out. The lower road is actually the Lake Dorothy Road.

White Sign: The distance refers to the distance to the gate at the USFS boundary that was put there when they were doing work on the Taylor River bridge (that gate is most definitely open). My guess is that this sign was put up by DNR (they own the land at Mailbox Peak) and either just haven't taken it down or would like to think the road is closed (so that all of Washington will only use the Mt. Si trail).

Pratt Valley Hiking, Now's the Time!

2010-03-22T07:46:00.000-07:00

One of these days the USFS is going to put in the new Pratt Valley access trail from the Middle Fork Trailhead. In some ways that will be nice, in others we will lose a bit of a hidden gem. If you want to go into the Pratt while it is still "wild", I have created a fairly extensive set of instructions starting with this page:

http://www.middleforkgiants.com/Hike%20Pratt%20Valley.html

You will note there are four pages on the Pratt with different ways to get there and some things to see while you are there. There is certainly more, so look around. The Pratt does not give up her secrets easily!

With the low water, this might be a good year to go in there. So give it a try, haven't you always wanted to see the Pratt?

Middle Fork Road is open and in good shape

2010-03-22T07:41:00.001-07:00

The Middle Fork Road is open all the way over the Taylor River to the trailhead. There is still a gate at the road to Dingford Creek. The 12.5 miles of road to there is in pretty good shape and may have even been graded.

If you want to bike the Middle Fork/CCC Road loop, it's in great shape as well. Not much water so the streams are either dry or easy crossings.

Yes, I know there are some signs that say "Road Closed" or "Road Closed in XX miles". Not sure who amongst the many agencies involved forgot to take them down. My guess, though, is it is not the USFS. Quite frankly, they seem to really care and are doing their best to make the Middle Fork a great place to go.

Go to the Middle Fork!!!

2010 is THE YEAR for MiddleForkGiants

2010-01-17T14:44:00.000-08:00

2010 is going to be a very exciting year with the release of Dreams in the Wilderness: Stories from the Middle Fork (a documentary film) and The Middle Fork: Finding Significance in a Forested Valley (a book). In preparation for those big events, I am completely updating the website. This is a good time to look around and more "new" will be there over the next couple of months.

www.middleforkgiants.com

Road Open for 12.5 miles (not 5.2)!!!!

2009-12-28T07:24:00.000-08:00

It's the perfect after Christmas place to go! The Middle Fork Road is open all the way to the Dingford Road. You can access the Middle Fork Trailhead, the Campground, and the Taylor River Trailhead. The picture above shows the new gate.

Ignore the sign that says "Road Closed in 5.2 miles", it's really open for over 10.

The Gate is Open!!!

2009-12-15T05:32:00.000-08:00

The gate is finally open at the Forest Service Boundary. You can get at least as far as the Middle Fork Trailhead and across the Taylor River. There is still a sign by the Mailbox Peak trailhead that says "road closed 5.2 miles" but the gate was open all last week including the weekend.

In spite of any frustrations I might have over the road being closed I would have to commend the Forest Service for repairing the road, the bridge over the Taylor, and the new bridge just past the boundary (no more saying "this sure is a ratty little bridge, I wonder why it never washes out?").

The Road may open on November 30th

2009-11-28T11:40:00.001-08:00

I was up by the gate on Wednesday, Nov 25th and spoke with the guy guarding the gate and later a representative of the Forest Service. They said the work on the bridge is done and they were grading the road. Said the gate would probably be opened on Monday the 30th.

I went up the CCC road and spent the day poking around, could hear equipment grading the road all morning. Maybe we'll be able to finally get in to the Taylor area next week!

A New Resource on the Web Site

2009-11-28T11:38:00.001-08:00

I have added a new resource on www.middleforkgiants.com . It is a set of downloadable photos that I specifically give permission to use in almost any public or private media use. You can find them here:

www.middleforkgiants.com/MFpictures.html

I find that all too many news articles have photos from the Middle Fork that just don't capture the essence of the area. They are usually not taken deep within the main valley. With emphasis coming due to the road opening and perhaps even the Pratt Valley trail being put in next year, I hope these can be used for articles, papers, and reports on the Middle Fork Valley.

Middle Fork Road is Closed at the new 5 mile Gate

2009-09-11T05:23:00.000-07:00

As of Tuesday the 8th the Middle Fork Road is once again closed at the new gate just past five miles (near the USFS boundary). This is for road maintenance and to repair the Taylor River Bridge.

The road is completely closed to all use for the first four days, then there are mixed messages on whether or not we can bike or hike past the gate.

My guess is that it is like any other USFS closure, tight for a while but low budgets and little staff mean the gate isn't going to be guarded for long.

Middle Fork Road is Closing Again

2009-09-03T06:57:00.000-07:00

The Middle Fork Road is going to close again at the Forest boundary (new gate at mile 5.6). I have heard from two sources this will be a complete, enforced closure starting Tuesday, September 8th through the rest of the year.

There is some conflict in message, though, the USFS website only says closed Sept 8-11. We will see, but my bet is it is closed for balance of the year.

Good news is the closure is to allow the USFS to fix the bridge across the Taylor and restore access.

Is This The Tallest Tree in the Middle Fork?

2009-08-24T21:32:00.001-07:00

That is an interesting question for a couple of reasons.

First, it is the tallest tree I have measured to date at 249'. That is after 3 measurements from three directions and then averaging. It is a leaner and hard to measure. It is about 9' in diameter. Painfully, it is essentially the same height as the big tree in Twin Falls State Park. I really want to find a bigger tree in the Middle Fork (Twin Falls is in the South Fork of the Snoqualmie). It is as large as the Pratt Giant before the top blew off.
Second, is why I am posting this. Some sincere, concerned big tree fans have contacted me worried that I am posting the locations of all of the big trees. I have assured them that I am posting how to get to some to visit but not all of them. One person sug

gested I never publish the "biggest", "tallest", or "most interesting" because people would flock to it and harm it. Reasonable concern.
So, generally, here is my thinking on what to publish:1. I post interesting trees or groves. I try to draw attention to trees that make good visits or to unlikely groves.
2. I do not publish everything, both trees and historical sites.3. I do not publish GPS coordinates, but I have been taking them at key sites and big trees.

So where is this tree? Guess I'll leave that as a mystery for a while. It is in an unlikely site, one I never would have looked in (there are stumps all around). I heard about it third hand and put a

couple of pieces of information together to find it.

I hope it's not the tallest tree in the Middle Fork!

Crossing the Taylor River at the Washed-Out Bridge

2009-08-24T21:30:00.000-07:00

If you are looking to get across the Taylor River there is no better time than now (except maybe when the bridge is "in"). Crossing at the bridge is easy, hop on rocks, walk under the bridge and finish up on a log. I did it with my bike and didn't get my feet wet.

Great access to Quartz Creek, Taylor River Trail, or the road to Dingford. The road to Dingford is rough, lots of washouts (probably about 10-12). The guys from Spruce properties have done some work so they can get their quad along there so it's not too bad. Leave about an hour to get to Dingford trailhead on a mountain bike.

The Pratt is Tough Going

2009-07-22T07:44:00.001-07:00

We went into the Pratt filming this last Saturday. Definitely tough going. Lots of brush grown up, especially in the area where the trail leaves the river and connects with the railroad grade (area between "Halfway House" and "Big Trees" sign). Might want to consider long pants if going up the Pratt. After the Big Trees sign, it's clear going.

If you cross the river you are going to find some really rough brush to get to the trail. The trail is hard to find that goes to the river. We did not go on the section between Gateway Bridge and the Pratt but suspect that last mile (old logging road) is probably pretty brushy as well.

Whole thing kind of speaks well for fall and winter Pratt expeditions.

Middle Fork Trail is Accessible

2009-07-12T08:50:00.000-07:00

The road is in great shape to the Middle Fork trail. Graded and smooth, it hasn't looked this good in a long time.

The Middle Fork trail is a great hike right now. There are a few stream slide outs that you have to get through but nothing unreasonable. I did the stretch from the Gateway bridge to Dingford Crossing and it was great. Get out and enjoy!

BTW: The worst stream wash out is the first one you come to. The pink flags are a little sparse, so work your way across the sand and rock and remember the trail out is about the same level as the trail in.

Summer is Film Season

2009-07-08T06:49:00.001-07:00

For project Sand Shed, now is the time to start filming. We may have a shorter window than we thought with some rumors that the MF road will be closed in mid September for more repairs through December.

Expect more news on filming and film dates in July and August.

The Road is now Open to the Campground

2009-06-07T06:18:00.001-07:00

The Middle Fork Road is now open to the Campground. There is no easy way to cross the Taylor river yet (the bridge is really out) even on foot but the Middle Fork trailhead and the gateway bridge are all accessible.

We've started filming for Sand Shed

2009-05-17T08:32:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we shot about 35 minutes of film for the documentary. This is our first real film. It took all day. Morning was up in the Middle Fork getting some solid "B-roll" footage while we spent the afternoon shooting the truck going to the Valley.

The most exciting thing though is Jan Hollenbeck, of the Forest Service, found ten tapes of loggers who worked for the North Bend Timber Company in the 1920's and 1930's being interviewed in 1989. I was able to digitize half of them on Friday and they are great. I have to get back to get the other half. Thanks, Jan, these are outstanding!!

Road is Open to 7.5

2009-05-17T08:24:00.000-07:00

Middle Fork road is open to MP 7.5 (about 1/2 mile past the Bessemer mountain road with the blue gate). The road is in great shape and there are tons of people in the MF.

The new gate is at the boundary of the National Forest. Rumor has it the Forest Service is going to open to the road to the campground by Memorial Day.

The next step is to fix the bridge over the Taylor River. It's in pretty bad shape. This link on the Forest Service website shows the problem (this is the North bank of the river:

http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/local-resources/images/MFSnoqRoadDamage.jpg

Same rumor says the USFS is going to go in to do the repairs in August.

Middle Fork Road is Open

2009-05-09T07:02:00.001-07:00

Just got word (second hand) that the Middle Fork Road is open to about Mile 7.5. This is about a half mile past the Bessemer Road with the blue gate.

Sand Shed Receives a 4Culture Grant

2009-05-05T06:26:00.000-07:00

We just received the exciting news that we have received a History Special Project Grant from King County 4Culture. This will allow us to do more on the film and apply some higher end film techniques.

Middle Fork Road is Really Closed

2009-03-26T08:35:00.000-07:00

King County has posted the following message on their website:

"Southeast Middle Fork Road will be closed east of North Bend for three months, while the King County Road Services Division repairs landslide damage from winter storms. The road will be closed for three miles east of the intersection with Southeast Lake Dorothy Road. The closure will begin at 6 a.m. Monday, March 23, and is expected to last through mid June."

http://www.metrokc.gov/kcdot/roads/roadalert/default.aspx

Second-hand information tells me there are now barriers and serious "you can't go in there" kind of road block. More to come after I investigate it personally.

Loving The Pratt

2009-02-17T17:44:00.000-08:00

The Pratt has a strange allure to it that just seems to draw me in. On Sunday we tested Pratt Entry Technique #3, that is launching a canoe and landing at Halfway House site. Ellie and I camped there then went up the Valley on Monday.

The trail is remarkably clear and we made it all the way to the beaver pond (about 6 miles up trail).

The road is drivable to mile 9, we didn't go past there. Muddy, potholes, and you have to drive slow. Not many canoes, though, and a very peaceful couple days in a rustic area.

Road Status

2009-02-15T08:33:00.000-08:00

I went in last week to about mile 8. It is drivable with snow and lots of potholes.

(hearsay) I have some very reliable information, this week, that work has been done to grade the big washout near the campground. I have also heard that the bridge over the Taylor has some washout damage and an evaluation is being done to see how to make it drivable.

All in all, good news.

Middle Fork Road Status - Jan 24, 2009

2009-01-25T07:45:00.001-08:00

I did a recon up the Middle Fork on Saturday, January 24th to see what the floods have done. This road closed sign is right at the Mailbox Peak Trailhead (mile 2.5).

First the goods news, someone has fixed the two streams that had carved into the road by the river at about mile 3, they are passable.

The road becomes predominately snow and ice at about mile 3.

At mile 4.5, just past the river gaging station there is a washout from the river below. You can see that it cuts pretty deeply into the road but still passable. This is one of those washouts that goes all the way to the river and is going to cause some problems repairing (I would guess). If anything else slides, the road is cut here.

After that there is little or no damage for several miles. There is snow and ice on the road and you will need high clearance to get over it (my guess is trucks OK, Subarus are going to bottom out).

At about mile 9, just before the CCC road, there is a tree down. It has blocked the road and only one jeep seems to have driven past it.

The real damage is at mile 10 (where the washout was last November). The river has torn out a couple of hundred yards of the road. These two pictures are taken from the middle of the washout looking each way. There are several streams running through the road bed and, in general, there is not road.

I ditched the bike just past here because the snow got too soft to ride on and walked to the Middle Fork Trail. The trail is in great condition.

So, what next? We shall have to see what the repair situation is going to be on the road and if that washout at mile 4 does anything more.

Once someone goes in with a chainsaw, road should be passable to the CCC road. That being said, you don't want to be over that washout if it lets go and it is against the law to drive past a "road closed" sign.

Middle Fork Road is Messed Up

2009-01-19T08:21:00.000-08:00

The rain, floods, and Biblical weather has taken its toll on the Middle Fork Road. We hiked Mailbox Peak last Saturday, road is good to there although you can see the damage just before the houses. The upper road is closed but you can get through the lower road.

Just past the Mailbox Peak trailhead, where the road gets to the river, there are some major washouts. High clearance 4WD will get you through the first two. I am going to take a look further in next weekend but it looks bad.

I spoke with a guy who said he had called and was told no repair until August. Hope it's sooner than that.

Project Sand Shed

2008-12-31T15:46:00.000-08:00

Well this has all certainly taken a new turn. Zach and I were discussing some of the materials we had put together lately when we started thinking about videos. After talking to Bill Walker who produced a video on the local train line, we thought it might be a good idea to make a video. Then, in a discussion with Gardiner Vinnedge, he pointed out that something was needed on the history of the Middle Fork.

So I met with Gardiner, kicked some ideas around and Zach and I are now looking at the next steps to create a documentary. Looks like a lot of work but a lot of fun as well. For now, we shall code name it "Project Sandshed". Don't tell Spielberg, he'll want in!

History of the MF

2008-12-16T05:37:00.000-08:00

With the cold weather and holidays, I have been concentrating on researching the history around the Middle Fork. There is remarkably more than I expected with little documentation that I have found so far. I have recently spoken with two very helpful people, Dick Kirby who was the summer fire patrol technician for the Forest Service in the Middle Fork from 1965 to 1997 and Bill Davis a long time member of Search and Rescue.

They have been providing me information which I am trying to figure out how to capture. I am thinking that I am going to start a MF Map Project where I create a master map with all of this information.

I must say, it felt a bit odd this last weekend to not go to the MF Valley for the first time in ten weeks. I think I am getting hooked.

An old-growth Forest

2008-12-07T19:24:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday Ellie and I started at Dingford Creek and hiked the Middle Fork Trail to Goldmyer Hotsprings. The first two miles is all old-growth. This was my first time in this section and it is impressive. If you want to photograph, picnic in, or just see old growth, this is the place to go.

The old growth starts as soon as you cross the footbridge at the trailhead and goes East (West a little, but not much). Big cedars sit along the trail immediately but big Douglas firs come later. One footbridge has a giant just on the other side. The top is blown off, but it's a great picture. I didn't get it right, not enough light and a lot of shake. Guess I'll have to go back.

Changing role of the Blog

2008-12-07T19:19:00.000-08:00

I am definitely changing the role of the blog. It started as the main content, but that is now on www.middleforkgiants.com. I think I will use this more to just pass out thoughts.

Ever considered where all the wood from the old growth we logged went? Most was used for buildings and structures which have since been torn down or destroyed. Sure, some are in nice studs in old house but the vast majority were in mills, factories, bridges, and trestles which are now made of concrete or steel. We mowed them down in order to have cheap wood. What did it gain us?

Maybe we should consider this as we discuss mountain-removal mining and other permanent scare type impacts. Is it worth destroying a mountain range in order to have cheap coal and a few jobs?

I had committed to keep middleforkgiants as a fairly factual endeavor but can't seem to control myself this evening. I guess that's the advantage of a blog.

middleforkgiants.com

2008-11-09T16:42:00.000-08:00

I am shifting the role of this blog, it is now simply my tree hunting blog. The main site for Middle Fork Giants is www.middleforkgiants.com. Although still under construction, the grove information, videos, and more are on the website. So head to middleforkgiants.com!

Scouting the Upper End of the MF Trail

2008-10-30T20:03:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday (October 26th) Ellie and I drove up to the Dingford Creek trailhead (the road was a lot less potholed than I expected) and did some scouting on that end of the Middle Fork Trail. There are some great trees just West of the trailhead in an area I have called "Pleasant Surprise Grove".

The reason for the name is that we actually went up off the trail first and, to my frustration, did not find a lot of old growth in areas I had high hopes for. Found two areas I called "3 big trees" and "4 big trees" but nothing that was notable enough to recommend. Then, on the way back, we walk into this group. Pleasant Surprise!

An Easy Giant to Visit

2008-10-19T16:34:00.000-07:00

If you would like to visit a Middle Fork Giant without a killer cross-country (ok, you will have to go 100' off the trail), the 9-hour Giant is for you. Note the 'average-sized' trees in the picture on each side.

It is located along the Middle Fork Trail #1003 about 2 miles from the bridge across the river. To get there, hike East on the trail. It is flat, easy and well-maintained. There are two places where the trail makes an 'S' up slope. Past the second one is a long straightish stretch. You will cross a couple of minor streams then cut into a rocky, mossy ravine just before a major crossing (rocks in Summer, a log in winter). This is the creek from 9-Hour lake. You passed the tree.

Go back about 150 yards before the rocky ravine and look North (towards the river). You will see a large Douglas Fir in the woods about 100' from the trail.

I measured it as follows:

Survey measurement (at 200'): 230' tall
Circumferance (measured above the obvious bulge): 29' (or about 9' diameter)

This is not anything special as far as Douglas Firs go but it is the tallest tree I have measured. As you go on to 9-hour creek you will see more old-growth near the creek up and down hill. The Land of Giants is up hill a long, hard way, but that's another story.

In the Land of Giants

2008-10-19T16:27:00.000-07:00

Pretty exciting find this last Saturday (October 18th). Hiked up the Middle Fork Trail past the 9-hour giant (see next post) and then went up hill West of the creek from 9-hour lake. At about 1600' the stumps stop, it gets steep, and there are a whole lot of big trees. I measured a couple and they were in the 180-200' range, so nothing really big but they went on and on. In fact, that group of trees was pretty continuous for about a mile West until you get to the really brushy rock field just before the Rainy Creek drainage.

This is big-time cross country work here. Extremely steep with, essentially, ramps that lead from various 'shelves' (in quotes because they are only flat relative to the other terrain). Crossing the four stream beds is even more challenging with the first two being the worst. I went up to 1800' along 9-hour creek then traversed up to about 2,000'. I crossed into the brush at 2,300', right near a tree with a huge base, but splits into three trees about 30' up (almost took a picture by it but thought it would be misleading).

This was the hardest cross-country I have ever done in my life, taking over 4 hours to go that mile. In retrospect, I probably should have had a helmet. Although I left a detailed route description at home, I'm pretty sure, had I fallen, I would have never been found.

All that aside, this was the longest stretch of large old-growth I have seen in Washington outside of the Olympic NP or North Cascades NP. I think it is the Land of Giants.

I had great hopes for the Rainy Creek drainage but was dissappointed to find it all logged, even into the areas I showed as old-growth. It was a perfect place, you can tell by the stumps!

Searching for Giants, the Serial

2008-10-12T09:16:00.000-07:00

I have recently started a Searching for Giants serial on YouTube. The first installment follows Zach and me on a search through the Upper CCC Grove. Take a look and let me know what you think:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usvRs6F8-U4

Be sure to click "watch in high quality", we all look better without the 'blur'

West Garfield Grove, October 4, 2008

2008-10-04T21:11:00.000-07:00

This is pretty darn exciting. Was going hiking with a couple of friends who wanted help learning compass skills. We were going to the East side but rain on both sides seemed like it wasn't worth the drive. Decided to go tree hunting instead.

Using a map I had put together earlier, we went up the West Side of Garfield. The logged area was well into my 'old-growth' markings on my map but eventually got past them. Then, all at once here we were in a grove of dozens of big trees. A mix of douglas fir and cedar, there were definitely some giants.

Marcus, Zach, and Adam at the biggest tree in the West Garfield Grove

There are two ravines up there, the first one we could get over but the second is deep, steep, and we couldn't find a way across. There are more big trees on the other side.

Marten Creek Grove

2008-10-04T21:04:00.000-07:00

The First MF Giant

In Spring of 2008, my daughter Ellie and I visited the Marten Creek Grove up the Taylor river. The old trail to Marten lake (now very hard to find) goes up the Southwest side of Marten Creek. Follow it up and you will find "a mean little old trail ....(which) climbs to awesome ancient cedars, some more than 12 feet in diameter" as Harvey Manning describes it in his 101 hikes book.

There is some real potential here and I need to go back.

Ellie Allen next to our first giant

What are the Middle Fork Giants?

2008-10-04T20:53:00.000-07:00

This blog is dedicated to locating large, old-growth trees in the Middle Fork Valley of the Snoqualmie River. My name is Brad Allen and I am a local hiker, climber, and lover of the outdoors located in Redmond, Washington. In 2005, while on a hike in the North Cascades, I came across a beautiful valley of old-growth trees. Somehow this set a spark that, combined with a trip to the Redwoods and reading Wild Trees by Richard Preston got me thinking about old growth giants.

As much as I would like to poke around in the Redwoods, Vancouver Island, or the Olympic National Forest, I have a job, a house, and commitments here. While looking at maps of the area, I happened on the Middle Fork Valley which seemed to fit all of the criteria for big trees.

I was already familiar with this valley having spent several outings attempting to climb various peaks in it and taking out of town guests there when everything else was full of snow.

My daughter Ellie and I made a winter trip in early 2008 on the CCC trail and located my first MF Giant, a lone cedar somehow missed by massive clearcuts on both sides. It fit the pattern, down in a ravine with protection from the wind.