Mallardy Ridge

Mallardy Ridge Trail
(the old one)

Oct 23, 2002

At about 5 1/2 miles up from Mtn Loop Hwy on road #4032 (the Walt Bailey Trail road) near a logged landing, I found the old Mallardy Ridge Trail. It was rather hiding so to speak, as it was not easily identified or for that matter marked and lay somewhat hidden above the road bank. My "sniffing around" confirmed that indeed this was it, so with mountain gear on and backpack I made my way up it.

The old trail took off immediately up hill along the spine of the ridge, through the forest of beautiful tall hemlocks, and had been well brushed out within the last year, probably by a few folks wishing to keep it alive. It showed no signs of Forest Service work. The brushing out of the trail only lasted about a mile and then it became a "jungle" for a spell where it went through dwarfed cedar and the like. But then, almost about the time one decides "to Hell with this noise" the trail becomes again negotiated (though no longer maintained within the last year but well flagged) and once again follows the spine of the ridge, where on occasion one can grasp small views of Three Fingers Mtn. as well as Devils Peak across the valley. The virgin hemlock stands are superb!

At about 2 miles from the beginning, the scant trail rises up to another view (though not much) of the east most area of Bald Mtn. and the very headwaters of Mallardy Creek, "yes that's it, a vertical view straight down there." At this point, one will find an old cable laying on the ground and a tree stump which had been cut many years ago.....no other trees cut down here however, which leaves one to puzzle the why? You are now standing on the high point (est. 3,500') and there is no need to crash downward through the visible "thick" brush ahead, besides there is no further scant trail as it just simply ends.

On my return trek, I could hear a red-tail hawk calling from high above while he circled the Boardman Creek drainage. And as I neared the truck, a blue grouse could be heard hooting.

note: if one wants to hike on a "not well maintained trail" in search for some forest solitude, the old Mallardy Ridge Trail will do.......

KJM