1.9 hr
Overview
Monte Carlo, a mile-long ridge in the Monte Cristo Range, can be accessed from several directions and yet remains relatively unknown to the hiking public. This route, keeping mainly to Washington Department of Resources land, involves negotiating clearcuts and secondary forest but also a stand of magnificent old-growth trees at the Middle Fork Grove. The slopes and ridge of Monte Carlo itself offer a brilliant wildflower display in late spring, and viewpoints along the way offer glimpses of Cascade peaks and the spine of Indian Heaven. The trail heads down from the east side of the trailhead on an old road past a line of boulders. Shortly, it leaves the road and goes into a clearcut. Wind down among vine maples and young cedar, hemlock, larch, and Douglas-fir. Switchback down into the Middle Fork Grove and to a new footbridge over the Middle Fork of Buck Creek, the old one having been destroyed by falling timber. Enter a realm of ancient Douglas-firs in a leafy patch of woods. Wood fern drapes over the creek. Tarry a while to savor this relic stand of quiet giants among the patchwork of clearcuts. Hike up out of the old growth and cross the end of an old logging road to wind up through a clearcut. Lupine will be blooming here in late spring. There are a few trees left standing here and there, and young Douglas-firs, grand firs and ponderosa pines are coming up. Pass a sign showing you are entering a corner of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Vine maple and huckleberry have taken over from the clearcutting. Currants are also abundant in this open area: red flowering, sticky, prickly, and pioneer gooseberry. At the edge of a Douglas-fir plantation, pass a sign, and then head into the woods. The trail descends where, in spring, different fungi are emerging from the ground. Reach gravel Road B1500, and cross it near the headwaters of the North Fork Buck Creek. The trail descends and then rises to recross the road. Head up in woods with lots of scrappy blowdown. The trail ascends steeply and switchbacks, th
Trail Stats
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566 m
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Photos
400px-MonteCarloMiddleForkMap
400px-MonteCarloMiddleForkMap
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250px-Shrubby_penstemon_%28Penstemon_fruticosus%29%2C_Monte_Carlo
250px-Wildflower_inspection%2C_Monte_Carlo
250px-Wildflower_inspection%2C_Monte_Carlo
250px-Jos_and_Douglas-fir%2C_Middle_Fork_Buck_Creek
250px-Jos_and_Douglas-fir%2C_Middle_Fork_Buck_Creek
400px-Mt
400px-Mt