The Middle Fork Giants started as this blog then transitioned to a website, MiddleForkGiants.com.  Years ago I shut that down and shared much of the source materials.  Some of it is on MidForkRocks.com.  During the past few months I have been out hunting for big trees again and have put some of the material here:  AditNW.com/middleforkgiants

For now, that is the place to go until I figure out what to do with all this.  Let me know if you have some feedback:  bradkentallen@gmail.com

Back Looking for Giants

OK, admittedly it has been too long but it's time to get back to our roots of finding trees and capturing history.

When researching the film Dreams in the Wilderness I heard about a "big tree that 6 people could hold hands and barely reach around". Needless to say, I was a bit skeptical. I've had it on my list for two years to go check out but being I haven't come across a descent big tree in a long time, I just didn't do it.

Well, I gave myself a little Veteran's Day gift and got off work about 10:00, then headed up I-90. There is some great old growth up there, even between the two elevated highways in the picnic area.

To my surprise, the big tree is there. In fact, I think it should be called the Humpback Giant. It measures out at 29' 6" at the base, about 9' 5" in diameter and 229' tall. It even still has it's original. Not sure why the loggers left it, it is only about 100 yards from the railroad grade with stumps all around. Maybe they didn't want to cross the stream (most of the logging is on the east side of Humpback creek)?

There, told you how to find it! There's even a nice campsite by it with a fire ring. Have fun! I did.

A New Trail in the Middle Fork?

Many of us have followed the boot path up to Kamikaze Falls on the South Slope of Mt Teneriffe but DNR has consistently posted signs saying you shouldn't go there (and we all listen, right?). But now the DNR has constructed a nice trail to the falls and it is well worth it.

Park at the school bus turnaround then follow the road. At about 1.2 miles there is an obvious side road, you will see the trail as you start up that road. Just follow it to the falls. (and just when I thought DNR was run by Darth Vader they go and do something cool like this. OK, another chance).

Can you follow this to the top of Teneriffe? Yes, you can but don't count on it being easy. This is the old Mailbox Peak trail times two for steep and not maintained. At about 2,800 feet is the toughest part, a little scramble up some rocks which is easy when dry, a bit scary with ice. But who can complain about something new to try with 360 degrees of beautiful view and about .1% of the crowd on Mt. Si.

Now DNR just needs to construct a parking lot!

Middle Fork Road is Snowy but Open

Went up the Middle Fork road today (Dec 4th). The road is open (it seems to have been plowed to just past the Taylor River bridge). If you get off the plowed portion it is pretty tough (10-14 inches snow over ice). Cars can make it to the just past the Taylor River bridge (the road is still gated where you turn right to go up to Dingford) but there is not much room to park. Several cars parked on the road and hard to get around.

The walking is tough right now in the snow, you punch through, but worth it as always on a sunny day.

Something New

Without a documentary to film I was running out of excuses to go out into the woods. I also learned two things about the US Forest Service while filming Dreams in the Wilderness. First, they really care about the forest and are tasked with an impossible network of conflicting interests. Second, they are terribly understaffed. Can't help with the first but thought I could help with the second so I enlisted in the Volunteer Wilderness Ranger Program.

Turns out this is a pretty cool program and one of the good things the US Government does. I never realized that almost all of the backcountry rangers you run into are volunteers. It is also a great way to get experienced people out into the wilderness in an official capacity helping to preserve and protect it.

Two "thumbs up" to the USFS!

Wow! A Full House

Last Sunday our film on the Middle Fork Valley, Dreams in the Wilderness: stories from the Middle Fork premiered at the North Bend Theater to a packed house of over 300 people. Zach and I were so proud to show the film and overwhelmed by the response. We just want to thank everyone who came out to watch.

Cindy, owner of the North Bend Theater, not only let everyone in for free but also fixed up Blu-Ray so we could show the full capability of our HD film. Then, so many of you bought books and videos that we made over $350 for the Snoqualmie Historical Society.

If you missed the film, head to the website and get the DVD. The best place to buy it now is at the Snoqualmie Valley Historical Museum in North Bend.

Great Old Growth

Sometimes it's great to just take a picture. I saw this tree while up on Martin Creek with Cathy McDonald, a freelance journalist for the Seattle Times. I didn't have time to get the right angle, so I went back the next week. Now I have the angle, but need blue skies. That will be another trip.

BTW: Check out Cathy's article on the hike: Northwest Weekend article