3.5 hr
Overview
The Chena Mining District was established around 1900 with about 100 claims. Gold was the attraction although copper, lead, and zinc were also found. The Northern Light and Milling Co. had the largest mine near the mouth of the Salmon River at the Sandy River. This was the northernmost gold mining area in the Cascades, but it was played out in about five years. One remnant of this brief period of excavation is the Bonanza Mine, which can be accessed via the trail of the same name. Continue up the trail on a wilderness slope to the high ridge of Huckleberry Mountain, and go right about half a mile for views from the crest. Lower down, Cheeney Creek has regained its pristine nature and is a burbling delight to experience at both the beginning and end of the hike. From the cable gate at the trailhead, the old road bed heads up to an intersection, where you keep straight and switchback down to an alder-shaded junction. Go right here along a soggy alder avenue (Left is to the old Bonanza Trailhead on private land). This is a fairly lengthy stretch along this road until you come to a wide creek. A cedar to the left bears a sign for the Bonanza. The creek is not such an easy ford because of slippery rocks (poles are recommended). Resume the road bed. Soon you’re on a regular trail above Cheeney Creek. There are a few large Douglas-firs, cedars and hemlocks, as well as views down to mossy boulders and little chutes in the creek. The trail gets to creek level before rising above a campsite and then switchbacking in mossy woods with a carpet of Oregon grape and salal. Switchback again and make a long traverse up, with views to the creek valley, then head into a gully to cross a creek and view the adit to the Bonanza Mine. The trail traverses and drops. There has been recent repair to the trail bench in various sections. Make two switchbacks and you ascend a narrow ridge among lichen-encrusted Douglas-firs with a salad carpet. There are two more short switchbacks and you head up again, making a traverse to three more s
Trail Stats
0.0 km
1062 m
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Photos
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TKO put tools to trail here.png
TKO put tools to trail here.png