Nice and clear day at the N.Fork SG river. Headed up the road armed with Brennan's beta for lower Soilder Creek, taking a couple shortcuts not worthwhile. Started down the steep hillside as described and into the creek. Minor amount of graffiti and beer cans at a small waterfall. Creek itself had a nice glow although for the rest of the trip, although avoiding the creek was a major part. Finally a very nice section at the ending into Lewis Falls. A use trail into a gully avoided a rappel, however there was a significant obstacle in the gully requiring a serious downclimb. Some more creeking and then a trail with a cabin. The rest of the cabins remain burnt from the Curve fire and the trail quickly headed uphill. Looked like some maintenance was taking place, and soon enough the trail turned into a discontinued road.
Eyeing a shortcut I thought I should have taken on the way up, I took that ridge down to Coldbrook creek, as I had been told it was well worth visiting...and was promptly introduced to the wild creek by a patch of poison oak. Insult to injury was a short hike out of the creek.Returned to the parking area via the discontinued road. Start 8:15am return 2:30pm
Then drove down to Lost canyon exit to explore the drainage from Smith mountain. Didnt think too much of a trail to the Lost canyon wash, but picked up the trail soon thereafter. Trail was too well built for me, unless this hike is often visited(yeah right), so turned around. Trail likely goes all the way to the base of this drainage, which was untravellable(too much brush) and had water.
All in all a nice day, and thought of visiting Crystal Lake when some snow falls.
Solider Creek,Coldbrook Creek, Lost canyon 1-1-08
If interested in more photos, 6 more can be found temporarily at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/13833920@N03/page2/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/13833920@N03/page2/
