Bruce's Trails

Bruce's Trails

An album of the trail system I have installed on "Pretty Mountain" on the East side of the creek since purchasing the Cowiche Creek property in 1986. Contains 64 images.

The trails start at our bridge over the creek and consist of the Lowland, Midland, Highland and Mountain Top trails, along with many connecting trails. All the trails join together via connecting trails or merging. Parts of the trails follow the tracks made by my ATV, primarily from the bridge to the Pine Grove.

Looking at the fence at the Northern Property line from the Lowland trail. The trail does not go beyond this point North, which is private property.

This post marks the start of the North connecting trail from the Lowland trail.

The Center connecting trail post at the Lowland trail as it climbs up the mountain through the large Douglas Fir trees.

The Center connecting trail meets the Midland trail at the post and continues on up to its junction with the Highland trail, where it ends.

The South connecting trail takes off from the Lowland trail in the Western Larches and goes to the Midland trail.

The South connecting trail continues uphill to the Midland trail and ends close to the user trail that goes to the Highland connecting trail.

The Midland trail begins near the Pinyon Pines in the Pine forest and goes through the Thicket to merge with the North connecting trail.

A user trail goes from the Midland trail near the South connecting trail to the Highland connecting trail in the Lodgepole Pine area. I primarily use this in the Winter to take food and water to the upper animal feeder in the Pine Grove.

Heading North along the Midland trail as you meander through many large rocks.

The Midland trail at the junction of the Center connecting trail, before entering the Thicket just ahead.

Next to the Thicket is one of the three animal feeders I keep up with food in the Winter and fresh water year around. Taken with my trail camera.

The Midland trail crossing the Thicket, which is home to many of the critters and birds of the area. Taken with my trail camera.

As you leave the Thicket, you walk along many large rocks along the West side of "Pretty Mountain".

The Midland trail continues along a flat area loaded with large rocks looking North.

Winding your way around many large rocks, you cross over to the North side of "Pretty Mountain".

The Midland trail then winds down to the North connecting trail in front of a big rock and merges with it, then on to the Highland trail a short distance to the East.

The Highland trails starts near the post in the Western Larches as you head uphill using the ATV track as the trail into part of the Pine Grove. Just prior to this, the Lowland trail heads down to follow Cowiche Creek to the South end of our property.

Part way up the hill to the Pine Grove, you'll see a second animal feeder on the left in the brush. Marmots really like the green Rabbit pellets as do Porcupines. Taken with my trail camera.

The Highland trail continues uphill through the center of the Pine forest. It is the longest trail that I have.

The Highland Connection trail starts on the Northern Peninsula of the Pine forest and connects to the Highland trail at the birdhouse in the distance. It's only about 50 feet uphill from the end of the Pine area North end.

As you get near the top of the Pine Grove, off to the left you will see a third animal feeder near the Sagebrush. Here Nuttall's Cottontail Rabbits and other wild mammals feed, along with many birds. Taken with my trail camera.

A mature Coyote using the Highland trail just before dawn. Taken with my trail camera.

The Highland trail as it starts heading West along the Southside of "Pretty Mountain".

Walking West meandering through the Tall Sagebrush along the Highland trail.

Some large rocks that you encounter as you walk West along the Highland trail. These big rocks rolled dawn the mountain many millenniums ago.

The post that marks the short walk to the Pine forest along the Highland connecting trail. This is the first post you encounter as you head West on the Highland trail.

The second post is the trail down the Lowland connecting trail that goes all the way to the bottom near the bridge. It crosses the Midland trail along the way.

Continuing North on a fairly level Highland trail along the Westside of "Pretty Mountain".

You finally start to head quickly downhill as you head North on the Highland trail and lose some altitude fast.

You will find the Mountain Top trail post on the right just ahead of you as you stop going down for a brief period.

Some more downhill walking as you intersect the North connecting trail that takes you back to the bottom if you like.

The Mountain Top trail leaves from the South side of the Highland trail and returns down the North side to the Highland trail.

The Mountain Top trail is a fairly easy way up as it winds its way around basalt rocks to the top of "Pretty Mountain".

It kind of meanders around all the rocks and is narrow in places, but is a good walking path.

The Mountain Top trail continues up the South side of the mountain heading West and gains altitude fast.

A short user trail helps access all the areas on top of "Pretty Mountain" as the main trail heads back down the North side behind me.

The view from the top looking back at the Highland trail that runs on the East end of our property.

A view of the Pine Grove from the top looking South. You can see the Northern peninsula of the Pine Grove from here on the right side of the picture.

The Mountain Top trail heads back down the North side of the mountain, heading West at first.

This post marks the end of the Mountain Top trail as it meets the Highland trail on the Northwest side of "Pretty Mountain" as you head down.

A Google Earth view of the trail system I have on "Pretty Mountain". There are four main trails with connecting trails between them. I set up the trail system to help me get to places on our property easily, especially during wildflower season. Some of the user trails that I use as shortcuts may not be marked.

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