I was ready to leave the Middle Fork of the Salmon River to see new terrain. Just before we took a new trail we talked to two backpackers and also the outfitter rafting gear for clients. 

Later in the afternoon we talked to a trail crew supervisor on horseback horse. He told us that trail crew was going to work on the trail starting tomorrow, but wouldn't have time to complete the Marble Creek portion of the trail. We asked lots of questions about trail up Marble Creek because it has a reputation for being washed away, sketchy or brushy.

Marble Creek is in a canyon that burned so we are climbing over downed trees. Flooding scoured out the creek bed taking trail out too. Brush has grown taller that head heighth. This adds up to slow, difficult hiking. Sometimes we give up and walk up the creek as an easier option.

What does this section need? I’ve heard that the Forest Service wants to wait for several years for all the snags to fall after a fire before trying to cut logs. Some trail crews seem to cut brush and others just cut logs. I think about that as I hike. My fast and easy solution is to bring in a Borax Twenty Mule Team but as a string. (I think I read in Death Valley that the team is two horses and eighteen mules) Eighty hooves would take care of the brush. Outfit the drivers with saws and the trail is restored with one pass though the canyon. I laugh when I think of the resulting “horse apples”.

Actually, the day is pleasant and the flowers are spectacular. We have the background sound of running water. We found a small gravelly site that will hold our tent for the night. I have second thoughts when I see bear scat but decide that a bear isn’t a danger.

Whew! We made our way up Marble Creek, past the beaver dams and ponds, and out onto forest trail.

When we got back to the trail from our camp site we found trail crew equipment. We are about two days too early as they clean trail to where we hiked yesterday! We followed their cleaned trail down to Big Creek and saw their camp.

I am glad that Big Creek isn't an inch deeper or a yard wider. The wade, or ford, took a long time. In the deepest, swiftest part the water turned and pushed me downstream. I was going to change direction and exit farther downstream but Ken called to me to hold on to his staff too. So we finished at the same place at the same time with aching feet, chilled legs and wet shorts.

We made our way to the trail above us and were on good trail for the rest of the day. The junction at Coxey Creek was tricky...old trail on the left bank and new open trail on the right. The day was so sunny that the narrow canyon turned into a sauna. Climbing out in the the sun was even hotter. When I dropped into the next drainage Ken was already filling bottles with creek water. I stood in the creek and used my hat to pour water over myself.

Our first couple of miles were 1000' ascent per mile and took about an hour each. Then deadfall slowed us. After we ate blueberries we couldn't find trail in the hodgepodge of steep terrain covered with both bushes and downed trees. We finally found trail and rain was getting us, packs and gear wet so we stopped for ponchos.

The fun part of the day was the visit with George Case at Sheep Hill Lookout. His tower was only 2 stories and very low tech. He works with a large sighting compass and map.

The best part of the day was that trail crew has cleared trail from the lookout to Dry Saddle. With such good trail we can look around more and enjoy the scenery.

More rain threatened so we stopped a little early at a great site among the pines.