Quiet Empty Hardesty and Goodman Creek

After alternating Pisgah and Ridgeline hikes, a farther-out hike in the snow-less foothills (sadly) was the call. I debated between Alpine Tr from Westfir or Hardesty Mt Tr from Lowell area. The weather was about the same – 40-50 and small chance of rain. The 40 min less total drive time to Hardesty won the day with a “V” hike: part 1 TH up Hardesty and back; part 2 TH on Goodman Creek to upper TH and back.

Started at Hardesty trailhead around 7:20 without headlamp in pre-dawn light and went direct up and around Hardesty Mt to the meadow. About half way up Hardesty, there is a small view back over the reservoir and modern timber practices. I can’t remember the reservoir lower recently.

Views to the SE from the meadow in light rain (probably Sugarloaf and Mount Halo to left).

Goodman Creek Trail has sections that are very “rainforest like”; reminded me of Olympic NP up the Quinault River with that thick moss covering everything.

Both trails were very quiet – ravens broke up the silent solitude periodically, but not much else. Along the trail, a couple of oddities for January.

The Route

From Hardesty TH around 7:20 right up to Hardesty, but rather than go to the old watch tower foundation, I swung around on the cut-off trail to the small clearing near the upper Hardesty TH.

Then, immediately back down to the TH and lunch and tea at the car. After eating, up Goodman Creek Trail to the Angles Rest TH and then back down. All stream crossings were rock-hops.

Trail conditions were really good — better than expected wrt mud, as the worst mud was 20 yards from TH. Water from trail-side ferns and grasses were the worst part on Goodman Creek soaking both ankles and knees. On Hardesty Trail there were quite a few blowdowns; for hikers all were step-overs, for MTBs, stop and lift! Recent traffic based on trail markings suggested more hikers than bikers, different than typical Hardesty pattern in my experience.

Other humans = null. For the entire trip I did not see 1 other human.

Data Geek Cellar

• Shoes: Altra Lone TIMP
• Pack: Gossamer Gear GRIT (Full foothills day hike kit)
• Upper Layers: Calpine mid-weigh base layer, SkyGOAT fleece
• Upper shell: none
• Trekking Poles: Gossamer Gear
• Approximate Times: 07:15 – 15:00
• Carbon ratio: 4.25 hours (3 hours driving: 7.25 hours hiking); YTD = 20.25 hours banked
• Miles hiked YTD: 87.30
• Notes:
  • Photos: low
  • Speed: moderate-fast
  • Difficulty: difficult w/ elevation and 20+ m
  • Weather: 45-50 muted grey low clouds, light sprinkle – no sun

All Trails Data is materially different, and if accurate, this was a FAST hike