4.3 hr
Overview
A short, steep downhill trail is not everyone’s idea of a pleasant day hike, particularly since the Eagle Creek Cutoff Trail #504 was built in the days when switchbacks were switchbacks and not lazy meanders along a slope: the 20+ tight switchbacks on this trail could easily translate into 40 or more (or 20 much longer switchbacks) on a modern trail gradient. In the good ol’ days, before logging roads came up to the South Fork Saddle, this was a connector from the Old Baldy Trail to the pristine bottomlands of Eagle Creek. You can hike down and ford the creek to reach campsites in the upper Eagle Creek area (see the Eagle Creek Hike ), use it as an extension to the Old Baldy Hike , or do a hike/bike (leave the bike at the Old Baldy West Trailhead ) with the Fanton Trail to Tumala Mountain Hike . Rhododendrons bloom here in late June, a viewpoint offers a glimpse into the trailless upper Eagle Creek valley, and a number of springs near the beginning of trail support lush mid-elevation bogs. You can also begin this hike at the Upper Fanton Trailhead or the Fanton Trailhead to make it longer.
Trail Stats
7.7 km
622 m
1234 m
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Photos
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