The start to West Side trail at the south was widened during fire fighting. This is the view looking down the Ghost River at the point where the narrow trail takes over.
Two thirds of West Side trail has been thoroughly burned, but the trail for the most part is still followable. Likewise the trail up from Black Rock trailhead towards Hidden Pass. The side creek was a white line running through black cinders. By great good fortune the springs immediately below Hidden Pass and the passage up through the pass was a green oasis. Birds were singing in the trees and insects running around underfoot. It’s a narrow area, though. Slopes to left and far right were scorched.
West Side trail. Trees sprayed with red fire retardant are a bizarre sight.
A lot of West Side trail looks like this.
In a few places on West Side trail grass is appearing. This photo shows one of the steeper uphills
A mix of burned and scorched trees on West Side trail. Looking toward Black Rock Mountain.
On returning via Anti-Ghost Ridge, we were surprised to see the fire had swept over the middle portion of it, igniting a few Whitebark pines on the crest before running amok in forests on the east side of the ridge. There were still patches of burnt forest en route to the corner where you turn below the Anti-Ghost cliff.
Down below the trail are a few areas of greenery around springs.
Climbing onto the first bump on Ant-Ghost Ridge. Even the rocks are scorched.
The normally forested east side of the ridge is a depressing sight.
Anti-Ghost Ridge. The hole in the ground and Black Rock Mountain.
The forest start to Black Rock Mountain has been burned to near treeline, but again the trail is still evident. Red markers are still standing, but the registration box is a goner.
Starting up the second bump in the ridge. Dirt bikes have made a mess go the trail and it:s now easier to flog up right on the scree.
With the summit of Anti-Ghost Ridge in sight, the trail drops below it to the right and traverses through more areas of burned trees.
Rounding the end of Anti-Ghost Crag onto the SE face;..
Looking back at pinnacles where we turned onto the SE facing slopes. Finally, we’re back in green forest.
So while the trails are still followable, it’s the devastation and the sickening smell of smoke that will get to you.
Some of you have been having problems getting to the start of Anti-Ghost and west side trails. So here is a corrected map.
