BURNT GRANITE TRAIL

WHERE:     From the Portland area take highway 224 east out of Clackamas to Ripplebrook campground about 30 miles east of Estacada.  Follow highway 46 about 5 miles until it veers left then follow another 6-9 miles (I wasn't really watching the odometer) to forest service road 4650 on your right.  Follow this road as it goes around a bend near a bunch of telephone lines.  Keep going so you are on the road about a total of 3 miles while looking on your right for an opening that used to be a road but hasn't been used in years.  The opening does not continue but you will notice a trail as you walk in.  I missed this one a few times before finally finding it. 

THE TRAIL:  There are many Western White Pine trees as well as Western Hemlock, Mountain Hemlock and Douglass Fir.  There are a lots of areas that had been burnt or cut in the last 50 years but the trail goes about 6 miles starting at 3200 feet elevation and peaking at 4500 feet before dropping back down to the other side.  Not the best views in the world but it is a trail that you won't share with other hikers and I did see Mountain Lion tracks in the snow at the higher elevations.