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NoonDay Ridge, A Hike in the Park

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Hiking, the Hard Way

Her I am getting ready to head out on my latest hike with my trusty companion, Pepper, 150 pound Labrador with Rottweiler and Mastiff on his dad’s side.  He also had growing pains when a puppy and has not grown completely out of it yet, but he does not hesitate in coming along and it good for him as I have not IMG_5411been able over the last couple of years to excersize him properly.  Little did we know that this hike was going to be almost as bad as my walkabouts in ‘Nam.

At any rate the trail starts to the left at the first hair pin to the right of the Noon Day Trail.  About one quarter of a mile from where the Noon Day takes off from Champion Creek Road.

IMG_5431Here is a section that looks easy and is the start of the trail.  The trail is not an improved trail and does not get any upkeep from the Forest Service.  It is also not on any maps that I have found.  IMG_5388You can see the log across the trail and it only gets worse.  At the far end of this one you can see some stuff we have to climb through.

 

This next one is some of what we were experiencing and this not the worst section.  You can see more of everything we climbed through by clicking on any picture which will take you directly to the complete album.IMG_5428

Leaving the Bohemia Mines area we passed over Champion Saddle and on down Sharps Creek which is other wise known as Hard Scrabble Grade.  If you travel into this area please make sure your car (better SUV) is in good shape, tires are good and have standard emergency supplies available.  If you are going down your brakes will get hot and going up, engines will get hot as well.

Where does the trail end up at?  The trail stays pretty much level, and ends up at Grass Creek about a 0.7mi from where we started.  Took us a little over an hour to make it that far.  It is an old miners trail that probably went on up the river to other mines, but due to the building of Grass Creek road on the other side of the river there was no way to tell which way it went.  On our side of the river the trail went no further.

Back to the beginning of the trail where it takes off from Noon IMG_5437Day Trail which is designated a jeep, atv, horseback and hiking trail on its own.  We are at this point about a quarter of a mile from Champion Creek Road.

Champion Creek and Champion Mines

IMG_5471On our way home we stopped to look at the Champion Mine and here are some concrete piers that held the stamp mill equipment that serviced the mine.

More pictures of the mine area where the Forest Service is IMG_5478reclaiming the land.  A hard thing to do as the water coming out of the mine has arsenic in it which leaches iron out of the ground and also the iron work used in the mine making everything it touches look rusty.

IMG_5480Up above in this picture are two mining shafts from the Champion and actually two layers (galleries) above the main entrance which you can see just barely off to the right.  I met the last care taker of the Champion mine before all building were torn down, circa 1964, and he mentioned that their were something like 7.5 miles of tunnelling in the Champion Mine.  Can’t get their now as the water comes in faster than you can pump it out.

As with all of my posts here please click on any picture and you will be taken to the full album.  Please leave a comment impressed or not.

Thanks for Looking,  Ken

 

 

Bohemia Trail Head, China Saddle

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China Saddle

The trail starts here at the China saddle.  Originally built to provide access into the Bohemia Mining area from Oakland, Oregon.  Unknown if the trail is still viable from here to Oakland.

Bohemia Trail Head

IMG_5067The trail was also part of the High Divide Trail in this area but so far I have not been able to find any information on it.  the Bohemia Part of the trail was built around 1866.

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When I do find information I am sure it will show up going in both directions from China Saddle.

 

 

Orchids

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The above picture is of an Orchid.  Found a lot of these along the trail and below is a different one which were in abundance during our trek along the trail.

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the next few are of the scenery along the trail.  The trail had long steep sections and took a lot of energy and stamina, although the trail itself was well taken care of.  On my part my own stamina and energy is getting better, although my agility is still stiff, read that as mind over matter and comfortable strength.

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IMG_5214Below is yours truly and as always, please click on any picture and be taken to the full album.  Please leave a comment as well if you are so inclined.

Thanks for looking: Ken

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Hiking, Cascade Mountains

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Lund Park

Parking area is here at Lund Park, also camping facilities as well.  Lund Park was actually a stop over for miners going to the Bohemia Mines.  A hotel and Inn were here until after 1940.  As late as 1960 a family still lived here in the last building standing.  Hardly any evidence any more as to what was here.IMG_5297

Marten Flume Creek

The Marten Flume Trail head is at Lund Park on Brice Creek Road in the Bohemia Mining District.  the flume carried water down from Marten Creek to a catch basin that in turn ran an electric generator to provide power to the local Hotel and road side inn at Lund Park.  The flume was built in the 1920’s and snow destroyed it sometime in the 1950’s at which time it was not rebuilt.  The buildings are all long gone now, the last building standing, had a family living in it until sometime around 1960, possibly later.

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The trail is rated difficult and we were on it just after it rained, which made it more difficult due to the wet and muddy conditions.  Very steep portions with no gravel making it slick in spots and other locations with debris to climb over.

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Trail was cut into the side of the mountain, which was very steep when getting off of the trail.

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The trail eventually will come to a cross trail you can take to connect to Knott Trail or continue on back to Lund Park.

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Some of the scenery available along the trail.

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This is actually a caved in mine.  I do not know how far in it went at one time and it also is possible that it was used as a cellar for the local inn and hotel.  I remember seeing it back in the mid 60’s and at that time it still had not caved in.

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Yours truly with hiking buddy.  If you are thinking of finding this trail and trying it out, please remember that it is bear country.

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My sister with her trail pal.

The trail is through what looks a lot like old growth forest but I believe that it is old second growth.  The trail loop is around two miles, and exited about 100 yards east of where we started, at Marten Creek.

If you would like to see the rest of the album please click on any picture.