[Now I Fly]

After reading of the plans to decommission the Sitka Spruce trail I wondered what other options for Green Mountain might be found. It needed to be via the Besserman Road. Last week after walking the hound out to the Wise Creek Bridge, along the CCC, the ridge directly to the south of the Wise Creek caught my attention. I could see on Cal-topo that it was actually the same ridge we had taken last month, after leaving the Last Promontory Road, on our trip to Green Mountain. https://www.nwhikers.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8036739 Yesterday's break in the weather was the perfect chance for some exploring!

Parked at the main Oxbow Tral parking lot and walk the road to the Besserman Rd.

Then up the Besserman Road to the CCC, where took a left, and crossed the Big Blowout Creek Bridge.

Hike the CCC to what I thought was the bridge over Wise Creek.

My plan was to follow the ridge directly to the south of the creek. It turns out, the bridge does not cross the branch of Wise Creek that is shown marked on the maps, but one to the North of the branch I intended on using for guidance. So, I happily charged up the wrong ridge. Wasn't long before I realized my error and with a bit of effort got myself on to the proper ridge. So, take the Black track at the beginning! It's much better (and where you really want to be)!

This turned out to be a very fun, very typical Middle Fork, route! The line goes directly to the Last Promontory Road/Trail!

if you follow this road to the left (south) it will take you to the Last Promontory.

Spotted my second cat tracks of the day. Not sure but I think it was a large Bobcat.

From here I picked up the route we did last month. The snow was really starting to pile up so I put on the snowshoes and continue up. Eventually I was knee deep even in snowshoes and called it a day.

After all the work it was heavenly trucking back down in the snowshoes! I kept them on al the way back to the Middle Fork Road! I can't wait to try this again with firmer snow! The End, B.

[Hutch]

Thanks for this. I am still bitter about the "decommissioning" of the Sitka Spruce Trail but good to know this area is still accessible via Bessemer. Lots of snow out there!

[mort]

I think I’ve seen that route.

[Now I Fly]

[Now I Fly]

I can't believe he followed our tracks up that ridge! I can say that because I am SuperHikr's inaugural "Super Hiker"! Ka Kaaaa! https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report-2022-04-16-2438873632

[Fedor]

[Type E]

I tried that route many years ago and had the opposite issue, not enough snow coverage . Almost lost the beagle in the man eating holes in the boulder field I tried to cross. E

[BarbE]

Brian, I’m not surprised, all mighty Super Hiker was impressed by you! 😄 I think I saw your truck at Oxbow trailhead.