Hike Stats:Distance: 15.68 Miles RT
Elevation Gain: +/- 1370
Duration: 13 Hours Trail Time
Weather: Sun and Rain
People Encountered: 0
Weird Happenings: 2
Far up the Silver Creek valley is an old forgotten area known as “Mineral City.” Once the center-of-the-universe for mining up that way, it now lives on in name only. While there is still plenty of mines and mining history in the mountains around the area, almost every trace of the town itself is long gone.
My goal on this particular hike was to check how the route fared the winter months, and get some waypoints to add to my ever-growing list of interesting things up this valley to use on mine-hunting trips in the near future.
Waking up at 4:30am, I timed the day so that I would just reach the Index/Galena road washout area (aka “The Crossover”) when there was enough daylight to go up and over the ½ mile of destroyed road without the aid of flashlights.
I slung my pack on and hit the trail at 6:10am, ascending the short but steep first section of the Crossover. While following the muddy trail, I kept an eye out for a Jeep that stupidly tried to drive (yes drive) up the portion of the Skokomish River that split from the main and took out the road. Another fellow mine hunter (“Kent” of NWUE fame) took some shots and posted them on NW-Hikers. But alas, the jeep was gone. I would have paid good money to see how they got it out of there!
After completing the two crossover sections, I regained the road and headed up to the main concrete bridge about 3 miles away that allows access to the other side of the river and the start of Silver Creek “Road” (in name only).
Having been this way a dozen times before, I noted again several mining claims along the river, the jump-off point for the Kitanning Mine, and what I now know is the “Pelton Claims” - an area the road cuts through with a BIG pile of rocks and more quartz than you can shake a stick at. Interestingly, a smaller road cuts above the main road above the rock pile. Hmmmm, gonna have to check that out one day.
Soon I was at the bridge crossing, and I still had the whole place to myself. This being the Gold Show weekend at Monroe, I would not have expected too many other explorers to be out. Plus, the weather looked iffy on the reports. But to my surprise, the sun started to come out and stayed out for most of the day. Yay! After crossing the bridge, I turned and started to ascend up Silver Creek proper.
The road took me past familiar landmarks and features I had seen many times before. But, I was not keeping my eye open for new things as well. One new “thing” I found on this trip was a mysterious old road in the early part of the route that lead uphill and away from the main road – but in an unusual direction. Most side-roads are oriented so when you come down them, you are entering the main road going downhill. This one was the opposite – when you come down you are heading up hill (as in up-stream). Intrigued, I took a little detour and followed it up a ways.
It was not long before I got to the “top” and found a flag line heading off to the left (uphill). Finding a flag line when you’re a “Mine Hunter” is an exciting thing since at the end of the flags you usually tend to find something. Unfortunately, this was not the case here. I followed the line up into the rough only to find it ran out after 4 flags. Bummer! Oh well, another area to come back to and check another day………
A little father up the road and across from another mining claim (the “J.J”. I think) were the sign says it is “protected by 357 magnum” (pu-leeezzz), I noticed a pipe sticking out from the hillside to the left. Upon closer examination, it was a modern PVC pipe (rather new too) stuck into an old rusty pipe. This PVC was gushing out a good stream of water. There was nothing else around the area, so one could surmise that this is a natural spring that people use when they camp up here. As for me, I will skip testing that theory. With my luck it would turn out to be someone’s gray water drain… or worse!
Back on the main road again it was not long before I came to the Magnusen Adit, and then the cutoff for the Bonanza, and then the landslide area. Checking the rope line was still in good shape I climbed down the hill and made it to the rock-ramps with little trouble. The trail across the slide was almost unnoticeable, but the there was indeed still a little path there and the rocks were holding steady. The sun had come out full force by this time making the crossing very pleasant!
Coming off the slide area, I was immediately greeted by my old friend the “Betty Adit.” Having been in that mine many times I skipped it and continued to Henrietta Gulch and the second “obstacle” – the climb down into the gulch and up the other side. The IS a bridge there, but the planks were removed in anticipation of the wintertime snow load. Now the only was down was to say a pray and climb down the old ladder, cross, and then climb the rocks up the other side.
If one takes their time, watches their step and is careful on the rocks it’s no big deal. But, it can still be a little intimidating. Since that hiker fell last year from the bridge in this very gulch and eventually passed away just before the slide area I have taken extra time at this spot – not only to make sure I keep safe, but to say a little prayer for him also.
Now that the two major obstacles were behind me, I increased the pace and quickly passed by more interesting spots along the way – eventually coming into the Monte Carlo Cabin area. With all the Devils Club, Vine Maple, and bramble bushes out of commission, it was nice to be able to see up draws, down hills, and other sights that one would not normally get to see.
Finally, I reached “Lake Gulch” where the bridge is no more. It was here several years ago, but Mother Nature and time took it’s toll and the remnants of it are now spread all down the valley. The only way to cross this little jewel is to climb down the hill towards the river to the right (look for the red flags), cross at the bottom (easy in low water), and huff it back up the other side.
Easy if you are not dog-tired already!
For some reason I was just dragging a** that day, and I could not seem to summon my energy reserves. I figured I would get it back after I had lunch in Mineral City. In hindsight, I should not have waited that long.
The rest of the trek up was uneventful, and the route was relatively open. Coming into Mineral City (you can’t miss it – the name is carved into a log on the way in), I was met with some snow on the trail. However, by the time I got into “downtown” MC, it was all gone.
Now I would LIKE to say that the area is rich in artifacts, building foundations, and interesting things to see. But, the reality is just the opposite for the town site. The West fork of Silver Creek comes in from above the town, and when it floods all that water runs right through the area – pushing huge logs and debris in its path. The power of the water, the battering-ram force of the logs, as well as time and weather have taken its toll on the area. Because of this, hardly a trace remains. However, if you have a good eye, have done your homework, and are willing to exert some additional energy, there are things up there you can see – including lots of mines!
So, I found a nice log, cracked open the pack, and took out my humble PB&J sandwich, fruit cup, and drink – just as it started to rain. Figures!
And here’s were it gets a little…. weird.
While sitting there quietly contemplating my next move, with only the sound of Silver Creek off in the distance, I heard something. Now I have been coming up to the mountains for years, and I know most of the sounds that naturally occur up there. This was not one of them……
What I heard sounded like a truck - a large, gas powered, low rumble, and throaty-type sound about 40-60 feet through a stand of tress that went on for 30 seconds or so and abruptly stopped. What the hell?!?
I froze, listening for anything out of the ordinary – but there was nothing further. I started running through my mind possible explanations, but came up with no plausible ones. It was not a plane overhead, it was not an echo, and there certainly were no trucks up here.
Just when I was about to get up and investigate, I heard voices, two people, about in the same location. Again I froze.. listening intently. After another 30 seconds they stopped. I could not make out what they were saying, but it was coming from the same area for sure. More curious than nervous, I got up, made my way around the trees to see what I could see.
Nothing.
I looked around the whole area for any sign of people, but no one was around. I even checked further than were I thought I had heard anyone – but there was no one there, and the snow in the clearing had not been disturbed.
I went back to my sandwich, still looking and listening for anything that might explain what I heard. But, nothing came to mind and no other strange or out of place sounds were heard. Weird!
Finishing my 5 star dinning experience dining experience with an elegant and tastefully prepared desert (Snack Pack Pudding, chocolate swirls), I threw my pack back on. The rain had abated and I figured I had about another 40 minutes before I had to start back down. I crossed the West fork and picked the road back up. This is farther than I had ever been up this valley, and my only regret is I did not have more time.
Eventually, I came to a bridge crossing just before the Seattle-Cascade mill site. This bridge also has seen better days, since most of it has broken apart. Here I decided to stop, take some pictures, and turn around.
It took me a good 4 hours to get back to the truck, and I only had to use my lights on the crossover (bonus!). Leaving early so you can take your time and check things out on the way are very nice – even though I loath getting up before the sun.
It was a fun hike, and at least I know what lies beyond Mineral City (to that point). My goal over the next few months is to explore area around Mineral City and higher up the valley. To do that when hiking in from the washout on IGR AND having ample time for exploration upon arrival may take an overnighter and then some. But either way, the trek is worth it…. even with the “haunted” truck and people noises. (-:
Pictures of this hike can be seen here:
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