www.middleforkgiants.com
| Home MF Trees MF History BT Lovers BT Hunters BT Art Video Hikes Brad Site Map Contact |
|
|
www.middleforkgiants.com
|
The West Garfield Grove is visible from the Middle Fork Road, note the big trees on the skyline: |
|
Marten Creek Grove
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 are some big cedars here both along the creek and on the ridge to the West. The tree Ellie is standing by here is the second giant you see coming up from the trail. It is 9 feet in diameter and has a distinctive burl low on its South side. It measures out at 160 feet. The largest tree I have measured in this grove thus far is East of the big tree with the burl. It measures 200', a very large cedar!
|
West Garfield Grove (Wonderland on a Lofty Perch)
|
Grove 1114
Grove 1114 is truly a beautiful place to visit, and not too far up the trail. It is a nice expanse of old growth with numerous large Douglas Firs. In fact, I highly recommend it for a picnic or other passionate outdoor activities.
Go up the hill and you will run into some big cedars at about 1500'. Enjoy these for a moment, although they are only about 160' tall, then traverse to your left up the hill. You should be aiming to be above the next major stream to your West (left) at about 1900'. When you get to about 1700' you will start seeing big Douglas firs and they go all the way to about 2200'. In the creek to your left is a beautiful waterfall at about 1900'. You have to approach it from downhill.
There are a number of big trees here, so take your time to enjoy them. I measured several over 200' with one around 225'. A giant indeed! The real joy here is in the middle. In all directions, old growth. For a moment, you can imagine what the whole Northwest was like years ago.
|
Marten Creek Grove is a moderate off-trail hike with easy navigating back to the trail. You can get there by walking up the Taylor River trail 2.3 miles to Marten Creek. There should be a trail to the left going to Marten Lake but erosion damage has made it a bit hard to find and the sign is nothing more than a half buried post. Hike up the little hump, keeping the creek in sight, until you see the big trees to your left in steep territory. Harvey Manning calls it a 'mean little trail' but it's worth it for these trees.
CAUTION: Although there used to be a trail here it eroded and is grown over. Take caution and only proceed if you are experienced in off-trail navigation and travel.
The West Garfield grove is up on the NW flank of Mt Garfield just below the start of the main cliffs. To get there, park just past the junction then hike directly East up the ridge that extends to the trail. At 1600' head North while contouring up to hit 1850' above a large cliff (there is a beautiful viewpoint here). A narrow gully up hill from the view ledge leads to the Grove at 2000'.
WARNING: This is an extremely hard, cross country approach. It is steep, slippery, and there are many opportunities to get lost. Do not do this unless you are very experienced with off-trail travel in Western Washington!!!!
