What a difference a year makes! The trail has been sawn out all the way to Tumble Creek and probably beyond, thank you for all the hard work. Very easy to follow. The tread still needs some work in places, I'd like to go back in a month or so and take care of it. The lower 1/2 of the trail heading towards the Clacky is still flagged but is much more vague and difficult to follow.
I found some larger tires abandoned in the woods but couldn't fit them in my car due to family and camp equipment, so if anyone is around that area please pick em' up. They're at the road crossing of Rho Creek.
A great place to camp and spend a couple days! Really feels like wilderness back in there. This trail needs to be used and appreciated.
I totally agree with your sentiments about this trail. I hiked it again last Thursday and was pleasantly surprised by the clearing that had been done up to Tumble Creek and well up the hill beyond. Thanks to everyone who worked on that! Getting those logs cleared really makes a huge difference, which becomes quickly apparent once you get beyond the point where the work ended.
I hiked it as far as the Rho Ridge trail and then returned. Not far from the Rho Ridge trail there is an old signpost and a trail that goes off at an angle downhill. Does anyone know where this trail leads? The signpost is so weathered that there is no hint of any lettering left on it. I followed it for a short distance, but it's a bit overgrown and I wasn't sure if it would be worth the effort.
Also, does anyone know the location of the Rho Ridge shelter (or its remains) which appears on some maps in that vicinity?
I tried to follow the flagging down to the Clackamas, but lost it after a while. I'm sure I could have bushwhacked my way down to the river, but I was running out of time so I didn't. Does your flagging follow the actual historic trail route?
I think the trail you mention at the signpost goes to Bob Meadow (?) but is yet unexplored. The collapsed G.S. is very close to there along the trail (near former "Rho Meadows"), but not sure about the shelter you mention.
The flagging does go all the way to the Clackamas but it's pretty tough to follow in a couple places. I hope to have a winter project and head out there! Yes it follows the historic route which is blazed all the way.
Thanks for posting, I'm happy to hear someone is enjoying this trail. I'm sure once it's "done" many more will follow.