Getting There
Coming from Chelatchie (MSHNVM/USFS HQ), take WA-504 to Lewis River Road. About a mile west of Cougar, take FS-81 toward Merrill Lake. The road becomes Merrill Lake Road. Continue for another 3.7 miles to Kalama Horse Camp.
I met two other MSHI/WTA volunteers. They hopped in my car and we continued to the Blue Lake Trailhead. Keep heading northeast on NF-81 for 2.7 miles and take NF-8123. The trailhead is another 1.5 miles.
The Hike
Elev. gain: 968 ft
Moving time: 4:22:43
Avg pace: 31:31
Calories: 2,658
Total time: 5:06:25
The purpose of this hike was to scout the Fossil Trail for an upcoming trail work party. It was good to hike with fellow MSHI/WTA volunteers and explore a trail I've never been on. In early July, Rod and I had hike the Toutle + Cinnamon Trail out of the Kalama Horse Camp and had quite an adventure navigating through an obstacle course of blowdowns and an eroded trail.
We only encountered one hiker that was doing an out-n-back hike from the Kalama Horse Camp to the "Rusty Creek" bridge, and back. He mentioned learning about WTA from their website and being turned off by the call for "young & energetic" volunteers. He was surprised to learn that most of the folks are retired and older than 60.
He also reported that most of the remaining trail was in good shape except for an overgrown stretch. Overall, the trail was in good shape but there were definitely some sections that were in-need of brushing and treadwork.
It was an easy hike coming from Blue Lake, east to west. It looks like the elevation gain is double if you hike the other direction, west to east.
After we got back to Kalama HC, we scouted the forest road that volunteers would use to get to the work site in the middle of the 8+ mile trail, too far to hike with tools from either trailhead.
Unfortunately, the road becomes heavily rutted about 1/2 miles from the where the crew leader wanted to reach. Therefore, the Fossil Trail project was scrapped/postponed.
