[whitebark]

In past years, I've hiked most of the CCC Truck Road trail, but the easternmost section between the Bessemer Mountain road and the Middle Fork road had eluded me--until today. Now that the Middle Fork road is open, it seemed like a good time to have a look around. This part of the CCC Truck/Road trail proved to be pleasant and scenic to hike. The trail gradually climbs through woods to an impressive vista point, marked as "Tall Mossy Cliff" on the Green Trails map of the area. Harvey Manning named the place in his classic "Footsore" guide of the area.

CCC truck road trail

CCC truck road/trail

Pratt River Valley from CCC trail

Russian Buttes, CCC trail

Much of the way, the old road is blasted out of solid bedrock, which forms a mossy, fern-draped wall on its uphill side. Seeing all of the blasted rock made me appreciate the hard work accomplished by the Civilian Convervation Corps in constructing the road in the '30s. Beyond the vista, the path descends gently to a junction with the Bessemer Mountain logging road, about 3 miles from the trailhead. I chose to turn around at this anti-climatic spot. The previous winter's harsh weather has left its mark on the CCC trail. Two major landslides have covered the trail with rocks and logs. Not too difficult for hikers to cross, the landslides do have the benefit of keeping jeeps and motorbikes from using the trail, a problem that has been festering for some time. Excepting the landslides, the CCC trail is in decent condition, with some eroded, washed-out areas, a bit of brush, and a few blowdowns.

Landslide damage on CCC trail

Landslide along CCC trail

Blowout Creek

Since the hike to the Tall Moss Cliff vista was rather short, I also explored another short hike, called "Bessemer Toe Ledge" in this website (look in the "informal trails" section). http://www.midforc.org/fram?url_id=12 Just before the first big landslide, about a half mile from the trailhead, a logging road veers right from the CCC road and heads up the hill. This is start of the route to the Bessemer Toe Ledge. After a short climb, go left on an incredibly rocky road that climbs steeply near the creek which suffered the landslide last winter. Eventually the road veers away from the creek and does a climbing traverse up the slope to the east. Nearing the ledge, the road fades out in brush, and the final approach to the ridge is essentially cross-country travel. Ignore the scattered unhelpful ribbons and just follow the map and your nose.

Bessemer Toe Ledge

Camp at Bessemer Toe Ledge

Bessemer Ledge route

When you finally arrive at the Ledge, you will know it...the sweeping vista of the Mid Fork valley is impressive. The spot looks like it is someone's favorite haunt: elaborate stone benches have been built and there even is a stash of camping chairs under a tarp. Perhaps these same users also are the jeep-driving engineers who have been driving up the old road, cutting live trees and downed logs with chainsaws, and even trying to open a new road up the slope. The Forest Service is well-advised to keep an eye on the CCC road to make sure that the motorized intruders don't return. The big ditch they dug at the start of the trail may not keep the jeeps out for long. This part of the CCC Truck Road would be a great choice for someone looking for moderate hike. The trail is on the sunny side of the valley, making it an appropriate destination in spring and fall.

[gone]