Headed north for a part trail/ part bushwhack adventure through mostly off the beaten path woods to an obscure set of ledges on a SW flank of Harrington Mountain in the Wilcox Lake Wild Forest. Early fall conditions were nearly perfect with no humidity, temps in the upper 50's, and the foliage beginning to put on its annual display.
Got started from an unmarked parking area off the east side of Route 8(Elevation 1367 feet), and jumped onto the red blazed Oregon Trail, which sits just a few yards from the pull off. As I entered the woods, the sounds of passing cars quickly dissipates.
The trail follows an old tote road generally east, then southeast, arriving at a pretty clearing along Stewart Creek after about 7/10 of a mile.
The next stretch of trail is both picturesque and quite flooded, with a large beaver dam causing one to leave the marked trail and (briefly)detour into the woods to keep dry feet.
A short distance beyond, comes a snowmobile bridge crossing and a wonderful, sprawling view south across the flow.
Snowmobile bridge over Stewart Creek.
The next stretch of trail hugs the east banks of the flow, but set back far enough that views through the trees are limited. Unfortunately the trail conditions quickly deteriorate from here, with blowdown obliterating several stretches.
After fighting my way through and around large sections of deadfall, I decided to abandon the trail and bushwhack down to the outskirts of the flow, with far reaching views being my reward.
Stewart Creek meanders through these wetlands, with fall colors popping along this particular stretch.
Eventually I headed back into the woods, finding my way back to the trail and the next bridge crossing.
From the bridge, looking northeast across a spot known as Rathburn Swamp.
The bridge was my chosen spot to leave the trail and bushwhack northeast, slowly ascending and contouring around a small summit bump on my way towards the open ledges that I was heading to.
A short, steep bushwhack from the col brought me up to the open ledge views around 2150 feet. Views from here are quite nice to the south.
SW views towards Smith, Georgia and Moose Mountains.
Instead of descending the same way I came up, I decided to continue north through the saddle and head down to a chain of gorgeous beaver meadows.
Making my way over to a spot where a couple of bumps on Harrington Mountain's west slopes form a beautiful backdrop over the placid water in the beaver meadow below. Exploring these large beaver meadows may have been the true highlight of the day.
A surprisingly scratchy bushwhack west dropped me back down to the trail, where I was able to capture one more view across the flow, this time in the afternoon light.
It was smooth sailing back on the trail to the car, as I took my time soaking in the perfect fall conditions. Covered a little over 6.5 miles total, with 1100 feet of combined ascent-and didn't see another soul in the woods all day.
Map below. P=Parking Blue Star=Began bushwhack from Rathburn Swamp. Blue Dot=Large Wetland. Ledges Noted in Blue
glad I did that one in the winter
ReplyDeleteYeah, I was thinking about that several times walking through the wet areas
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