Weekend Gem-Illinois River Loop

Boat Eater Rapids from Pine Flat.

I went down south to visit my friend Cassandra and do this 21-mile loop along the Illinois River and high in the Kalmiopsis Mountains.  We spent two nights at Pine Flat along the river as it was not affected by the 2002 Biscuit Fire and still quite nice with some of the most bio diverse plants and trees in the Northwest.  We also spotted tons of rattlesnakes, black tailed deer and a curious black bear along our way. The trail up to Bald Mountain starts after the Pine Flat intersection and is quite overgrown which obscures the trail at some times, it mostly follows the ridge to your left when climbing. Wear a long sleeve shirt and pants to avoid the dreaded poison ivy that goes in profusion along the trail and enjoy this windy summit with views out to one of the least visited wilderness areas in the Northwest. If this trail sounds lame, I recommend setting up camp at Pine Flat and exploring the river trail further in. The bio diversity, open views and wildlife should keep you intrigued to explore more in this wild country.

Pine Flat

View from near Bald Mountain