East Bee Branch Trail
This unofficial 1.4 mile trail is on the Backcountry Surveys map but not the Carto-Craft map. However the trail is probably the most beautiful in the wilderness and also one of the best known. It is a good hike to get there in one day, the easiest way being from the Thompson Creek trailhead. The trail goes north and south ending at TR204 on the north side and TR209 on the south side. The trail is described from south to north.
The trail starts at the entrance to the Bee Branch off of TR209. The trail is not marked, but it should be fairly clear if you are looking for it. The trail winds up on the east side of the creek past large boulders and a few nice campsites. Shortly the trail branches off and follows the east Bee Branch up to it's end. The maps show waterfalls up the West Bee Branch, but I haven't ventured up there yet. The end of the branch is surrounded by rock walls from which two lovely waterfalls cascade. It is very impressive. You can walk around here and see the oldest tree, a huge poplar which a bunch of children have carved into.
The trail goes up the cliff on the east side of the waterfalls. The trip up is fairly easy. At the top the trail follows the stream for a short distance ad then branches off again to find TR204. This is a lovely trail that I highly recommend. Four stars and east to moderate.
Last Hiked: December 2000
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Last Updated: April 2003
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