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Middle Fork, Iron Gate, Boundary Trail, Loomis Washington


4th Of July Weekend, such a very long time ago. We decided to venture in on the same trail as the year before, Middle Fork, which intersects with Iron Gate, Boundary trail, which then leads to Sunny Camp and Horseshoe Basin. Even though it had been pretty tough with all the downed trees last year, we felt like we were more mentally prepared this year for it. Once again we brought the pack horse to help shoulder some of the extra load, and because he's just fun to have around. When we reached the parking area for the trail head it was pretty full with camp trailers and folks already set for the long weekend. We headed off down the trail, A lot easier this year. Not a single downed tree we had to cut, hike around, trail the horse around on the whole trail. Made our hike in so very pleasant and about half the time as the year before. Weather was grand, the mile up hill stretch felt simple, just a mild work out to reach the intersection of Middle Fork Trail and Iron Gate Trail, then we were heading to Sunny Camp to pitch our tents. The flowers were perfect, I made plenty of stops as you can see. Into Sunny camp we hiked, set up camp, woke up in the night to a light rain on the tent. Beautiful start to a two night stay in the woods. We choose to hike Middle Fork Trail once again, due to the road into the Iron Gate Trail is not really good for horse trailers. It is rather rough and a very narrow single road in, I think I would have a panic attack on that road if I ever met anyone. Middle Fork Trail adds about 4-5 miles to your trip in, but its a fairly easy hike, if it is clean of trees. Only one fairly steep section about a mile of up hill to reach the Iron Gate Trail. Lovely views, lots of flowers, and not a lot of folks on this section of trail. Who every cut the trees on the Middle Fork Trail are awesome folks, made for a beautiful hike in. I will return someday with day two of this hike. We are just about four weeks from moving into our new house, I can't wait. It's seemed like ages, so many little projects to finish up in these final stages. Winter is still hanging on around here, Chilly mornings, no snow, with day time temperatures in the 40's. Spring is slowing happening.

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