Heading North

Got up a little earlier today and headed north. The paved road stops at the Harlequin Bridge and it is unpaved road for about the next 6 miles to High Bridge. The road is washed out not too far above High Bridge, so that is the end of the line unless you want to walk; for the most part beyond High Bridge it is too steep to bike, at least for me. The High Bridge campground has a lean-to shelter, pit toilet, table, and fire pit.

View of High Bridge from Trail

The view off the bridge is impressive, and the river is still coming up. They had a lot of snow this past winter, so depending on how quickly the snow melts, flooding could be possible.

View From High Bridge

Just past High Bridge you can pick up the Agnes Creek Trail. I stopped by to visit the guys rebuilding the bridge that was knocked down by a tree a couple of years ago. They are building the ramp, and the 60' steel span is being built in Spokane and will be brought up by helicopter. A pretty big job.

My main destination was the Agnes Gorge Trail which is a little past the Agnes Creek Trail (confusing isn't it? too many similar trail names). I went about .75 miles when I hit too much snow to continue and started back. Lots of Yellow Fawn Lilies, a few Trillium, some OK views, and a fungus that looked like a brain coral.

"Brain Fungus"

Headed back down and briefly explored the Bullion Campground looking for the Loop Trail to take up to Coon Lake. No lean-to at Bullion. Found the lower end of the loop, but not the upper, which should be closer to the Coon Lake Trail. Needed to head back down to meet the boat for groceries.

Mule Deer

While waiting for the groceries I met a resident who said she had an old cabin on her property with some history behind it, would I be interested in photogaphing it. I agreed to go on up after lunch. It was mostly broken down, just parts of some walls are left. She is going to get more details from an 80 year old member of the Buckner family, who started an orchard there in the late 1800s. Coming off her property a mule deer was browsing. The deer are very habituated to people and let you come pretty close.

I have been invited to "social lunch" tomorrow with the Park Service. Looking forward to the social time and someone else's cooking.