Name: Bowman Fork Trail #007
Rating: 4.2

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Features River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers

There is a $5 per car fee to access Millcreek Canyon, payable upon exit (credit cards only, no cash). It is also possible to purchase an annual pass for $50 ($30 for seniors). This trail is West of (before) the Winter Gate, and is therefore accessible all year round. The Terraces Picnic area, where the parking for the trailhead is located, is closed and the road is locked from 10 pm to 8 am, so plan accordingly.

Description

If starting from Millcreek, the trailhead is shared with the Terraces: Elbow Fork trail, so you'll want to stay to the right but it's well marked. The parking at the trailhead is shared with a picnic area accessible via a twisty single lane 1/4 mile road. On weekends/summer it may be easier to park off of the main road and walk up. The entire trail except the very uppermost section is within the Mount Olympus Wilderness, so mountain bikes are not permitted. Dogs are allowed and plentiful, especially on "off-leash" days which are odd days. On even days, dogs must be leashed. For the first mile, the trail follows a gentle creek with a handful of basic bridged crossings. Once the trail departs the creek, it climbs along the hillside with just a few switchbacks. At White Fir Pass, there is a flat spot to take a break on some logs. The trail then takes a 90 degree turn to the Southeast and continues to climb. There's a brief reprieve at Yellowjacket Gulch before the trail starts climbing steeply again. Just below Gobbler's Knob as the trail reaches the ridge, it junctions with Desolation Trail #19 and the Mill A Basin. This trail accesses avalanche terrain so due care is recommended in winter and shoulder seasons.