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Weekend Gem- The Quartz Loop

Posted by eriksoltan on Aug 24, 2015 in Uncategorized | No Comments

Need a little break from the crowds or a little bit of solitude? Well, the Dark Divide is the answer, with miles of lonely old growth forests and quiet ridge lines abound. Over the last couple of years, I have been exploring this wilderness area’s trails and discovered abundant wildlife, huckleberry fields and marvelous views in all directions along with a distinct lack of human contact. Most of the Divide’s trails are open to hiking, horse packers and the dreaded motorcycles, that have carved up the trails into rollercoasters of deep trenches rutted deep with rocks and broken roots. So, why go then? In my experience, it seems that the motorcycle craze that has seemingly scared away most hikers has faded out, and left a vast expanse of iconic landscape mostly barren. This is area embodies what most seasoned backpackers consider to be a untapped commodity, a true wilderness experience. Take I-5 north to the Woodlawn exit and follow Rd. 503 to 90 as it follows the Lewis River east to the Quartz Creek Trailhead on your right, about a 1 hour and 45 minute trip.

This 34 mi. trip starts out motorcycle-free on the Quartz Creek as it climbs and falls crossing Platinum, Straight (dangerous in early season) and Snagtooth creeks as the trees get bigger and the canyon walls steeper. Stay left on TR. 5 and climb again to a great viewpoint of the valley while enjoying the big cedars, pines and firs that line your way and provide ample shade. Drop down to an intersection with TR 5C, and follow the little traveled French Creek Valley through 3.5 miles of even bigger old growth specimens before climbing up to the Boundary Trail #1. The last bit of the French Creek Trail is a bit brushy, when you hit the wall of slide alder, fallow the dips in tread as the trail slowly climbs switchbacks to an old road before the intersection. Make a right on TR. #1 up to pass with spectacular views of Mt. Adams, Juniper Ridge and Dark Meadows below, your camp for the night at 13.7 miles. Good camps are rare here, follow TR. 261 for a 100 ft. of so before a big meadow on left to a side trail on the right that drops to a nice meadow and levels off, make a sharp right to a nice sandy area.

The following day, take the Boundary Trail to Summit Prairie TR 2 and make that left to follow the tread along Quartz Creek Ridge. This gentle trail rides the ridge with great viewpoints of the surrounding valleys and peaks before dropping down to a old road. Make a left on the road and find TR 5B dropping down steadily 1.5 miles to a crossing of Quartz Creek on an old tree and make your camp under these wooden giants for the night, a 12.5 Mi. day. On your last day, soak in the forest as you climb the side trail back to the Quartz Creek Trail, make a right and follow it back to your car. For folks that want an easier trip to swallow mileage wise, camp in French Creek Valley and make it a four day trip. Discover the Dark Divide this fall when ridges are fiery red with ripe huckleberries, the air is crisp and the trails are quiet.