M216G’s Trip Reports

[JULY 1, 2019] To be clear, this review only covers the first 1.5 miles, from the trailhead parking area to the campsite at the south-eastern tip of Middle Fork Trail. I was looking for a relatively easy hike for my 10 year old's first true backpacking trip, and this was as perfect as you could hope for. All the way down to the campsite, it was either flat or a very gentle decline. That said, there were plenty of fallen trees we had to climb over. That first campsite is superb perfect for a 2 person tent + a second, smaller tent. Water is right there, just a few steps away. There is a second site about .2 miles further west on the trail, but it is only accessible by a STEEP descent from the trail to the creek. It isn't far, but it is VERY steep. Not for a novice. Please be aware, this is a black bear sanctuary. From wilderness.net: "Cranberry Wilderness is contained within the Black Bear Sanctuary. Black bears are abundant and share the Wilderness with white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, grouse, rabbits, mink, bobcats, and foxes." I didn't see any traces of bear, but I was very alert for them.