Fish Creek Trail #8W10

Dogs Unknown

Features Geological Significance · Historical Significance · River/Creek · Spring · Views · Waterfall · Wildlife

This is a tough route, not to be underestimated. Be well prepared with survival knowledge and equipment, as well as a companion if possible. If starting from Lupine Campground, pit toilets and picnic tables may be available. Note that the road to Lupine is not generally passable to low clearance vehicles even in the best of conditions.

To be clear, this trail is overgrown and the experience will be closer to off-trail hiking after crossing Pine Mountain Ridge. Few visitors come this way outside hunting season, and it likely has not seen maintenance in multiple decades. Buckthorn and fallen trees have reclaimed the majority of the official trail bed, where it still exists.

Despite all this, the Fish Fork trail gives unique and spectacular views of the local mountains, ridgelines, and drainages. The north face of Mt. Baldy and Iron Mountain, east face of Mt. Baden-Powell (spectacular in the sunrise), and more await. In wetter periods, Fish Fork and other drainages can be heard in the quiet, with waterfalls visible even from afar. Finally, the Little and Upper Fish Fork campgrounds (though horribly overgrown) can be accessed from this trail near its lower western end, as it connects and ends at the Dawson Peak Trail #8W32 .

The trail officially begins just slightly northeast of Lupine Campground with a sign for Pine Mountain Ridge and Fish Fork Trail. One can also begin from in the campground on one of the lesser trails beginning at the campsites. Either way, climb past a small spring and derelict water collection tank up the old logging road as it ascends the ridge. Eventually, a long switchback turns east to gain the Pine Mountain Ridge. A sign once existed to mark the location Fish Fork trail splits downhill to the south, however at last visit it was only a pile of rocks with the signpost laying sideways on top. From here there are many, many spur trails used by hunters and their prey. Take caution not to drift onto the wrong one--climbing loose scree to avoid overgrowth on the trail is tempting but rarely worth the trouble. Approaching the second major ridge, one can choose to go around the western side on a lower route or go over the top with some steep climbing. This GPX track follows the upper route, but both are about equally viable. Very shortly after the two options rejoin however, the trail crosses a draw and becomes lost in the thick growth of the creek. Fight your way through to meet up with the end of the Dawson Peak Trail #8W32 and find the Upper Fish Fork Campground, or explore for the Little Fish Fork campground.

One may find relics from logging days along the trail if they look hard enough. Sadly, it is more likely one will find trash in the vicinity of the campgrounds from lazy hikers and hunters past. Generally however, the rest of the trail is secluded as can be.

The area has seen a few wildfires in the last 50 years, and in upper areas this is very clear. Burnt, fallen trees abound. Climb over these with care. Buckthorn is particularly present throughout, on and around all sections of the trail. For this reason thick pants, tall boots, and tough gloves are recommended at minimum.

As the area is named Sheep Wilderness, they can be found here. Bears are also to be expected, as well as regular deer and small critters. Solo hikers consider some form of noisemaking to avoid surprise encounters.