Having done this hike three years ago with the Tuesday Trekkers, Bill was ready to share the experience with interested Trailblazers. Six hikers joined in. We accidentally parked north of trail start “THN”. At 9:00 AM were on the move. After a short bushwhack we found the trail near “TH”.

Water was running. The unlabeled trail led us into the canyon with steep walls. Soon the creek was dry. We took a short break at dry waterfall “WF1”. The trail split at point “4”. We took the road on the left. After a slight climb we left the road at “LR” and returned to the canyon bottom. We passed two more dry waterfalls”WF2, WF3” before entering the start of Haigler Creek near point ”1”.

We had ample tree cover of Oak, Walnut, and towering Pines. The trail soon widened into a road. At “RXC” it crossed the creek that was now flowing.

We could hear the sound of a waterfall. Some of us left the road to investigate. It was mostly hidden with bushes. Its strong flow was adding to the creek. We meet two fishermen who were surprised to see anyone.

At “L” we left the road to have lunch near the creek. Thick groupings of Yellow Columbine in bloom delighted our eyes. The sound the water flowing over tiny rapids delighted our ears. And the temperature under the shade trees was perfect. Sound of a car door closing interrupted the near-paradise trance.

Five of us left Jim and Gary and continued down the creek. We passed several car campers along the way. Talking with them, we surmised they arrived via a road from Colcord to an intersection at “ZRX”.

What is a hike without some exploratory segment? Bill offered a choice to some to retrace the route to the cars. Lacking a GPS waypoint for the cars all choose to join Bill. The plan was to take Lost Salt Creek to the spring near FR 411. Then finish hiking on forest roads back to the cars.

The creek was dry and rocky. Along the way we found a pine tree delicately balancing on a rock. Nature’s best teeter-totter. A pool with steep rock walls forced us to go up. Decision time. Working our way back down to the creek had a risk. If we got pooled again, the steep cliffs to the north would not allow escape route to the road waypoints (R2 thru R4).

Plan B. From ”U” we headed up a very steep hill toward waypoint “R2” hoping to join a road. Bill tried to keep spirits high citing we would soon be approaching a flat area big enough for a dance floor. Although the band was on break Bill and Monika did a few polka steps.

At “FR” we connected with a road. It was getting late, so we shelved the route to Lost Salt Spring. Retracing the route back to the cars was uneventful. 10 miles, 1490 feet, 7 hours.