Loved this hike! I actually came all the way up Golden Eagle trail before doing the full Hilborn loop & then Dragons Back (16mi total), but I'll definitely repeat this "shorter" loop again for the truly amazing vistas! After coming down from the mountain (definitely fairly steep requiring taking your time, but easy to follow the spine trail w/ plenty of moss), I started up the south side Hilborn trail staying on the lower grade which follows the stream to a split to see the nice cascades. Didn't realize how fast the main grade (veering right) climbs the mountainside, but I was able to eventually scale the steep slope to get back to the grade. Would recommend just back-tracking on the actual grades though (especially if not winter).
Chose to hike a bigger loop starting from Golden Eagle (Bonnel Run trailhead),up to Ravens Horn (always amazing views), then quick side-trek to Pine Cliff vista, then back on to GET up Wolf Run (loved the cascades, and even better once reaching the Hemlock forest). Continued north to Beulahland & Bonnel Run vistas, then up to Twin Mtn vista, around Hilborn Trail to those 2 vistas, down to rail trail before back up other side of Hilborn trail, then onto Dragons Back trail w/ Slate Run vista, before backdown to rail trail & the 2miles to start. Most ambitious and rewarding hike with all the spectacular vistas!
Included Pine Cliff vista as a quick side-trip from my Golden Eagle/Hilborn/Dragons Back super loop. Took a shortcut down from GET (since coming down from Ravens Horn), across a big downed tree over Wolf Run, & up to the Pine Cliff trail where it turns back towards Pine Creek. Easy to find vista off the main trail - excellent views and unique in that it's not as high up the mountain as most vistas, so you feel so close to Pine Creek! Thank you Dave & Dustin Riehl, as I wasn't aware of this vista before!
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