Tronsen Ridge

Half way through Blewitt Pass there's a trail up eight or so miles of national forest. It's absurdly populated despite being so out of the way, for good reason. Stunning panoramas, golden larches, and alpine meadows.

Getting There

Tronsen Ridge is difficult to find and possibly more difficult to drive up to. Start by turning up Forest Road 9716 from Blewett Pass (Highway 97). Purge your trip odometer because the roads are not well marked. 3.7 miles up you're going to hang a left onto Forest Road 9712. Stay on that for 5 miles, and you'll reach a Horse Camp, another half mile and you'll be there at a sharp switchback in the road. It's overall a decent road as Forest Service roads go but it has a number of potholes, low clearance vehicles beware. Click HERE for directions on google maps. Once you reach the abandoned road/trail follow it out and hang right at any forks in the trail. You should reach a information kiosk thing about a mile in that is the true trail head. The trail is approximately 9 miles long with plenty of offshoots, there's no need to hike the whole thing, there's plenty of great views and fun lunching spots, just turn around when you feel like it.

Larches! Larches Everywhere!

Every corner you turn there's yet another Larch. If you like these golden conifers, Tronsen is a great place to see them in the fall.

Life in Death

Plenty of burn areas up here, with life bursting from amidst the dead trees. It's a stark contrast that I find beautiful. Those tall once proud trees now decaying zombies, homes of mold, bugs and fungus. Meanwhile a golden meadow sprawls out from beneath them. It's a cold silence, if animal life is present, it is solemn, almost as though they are in mourning. This trail is Autumn: Death and Life. Golds, greens, browns and oranges. A chill wind in the air and a faint warmth from the sun.