Haypress

This is the primary western access to the high country of the Marble Mountain Wilderness. The trail starts at the Camp Four Trailhead (no camping facilities, this was the name of a logging camp). It initially climbs through forest, including areas of beautiful, open, old growth forest, mostly on a gentle grade, then drops to Trail Meadow and a crossing of Haypress Creek. Soon it meets the Stanshaw and Let'er Buck Trails. It then climbs steadily to a divide and drops to Halfmoon Creek and junctions with the Torgerson Meadow and Halfmoon Meadow Trails.

From that point, the trail begins a long, steady, tough climb, passing a spur to Round Meadow, to the top of Sandy Ridge, where views open up and one truly enters the high country. Soon after is the upper junction with the McCash Loop, and before long one reaches the spur downhill to the south to popular Monument Lake. Another few miles brings one to junctions with a spur to Meteor Lake, then the Bridge Creek Trail, then trails to Onemile Lake and beyond, to Granite Meadow, to Cuddihy Lakes, and to Burney Lake. The trail leaves the Ukonom Ranger District near Spirit Lake.

Most equestrians choose to begin their trip at the Stanshaw Trailhead. While a moderately longer route, the Stanshaw Trail is maintained in a condition better for pack stock, and the Stanshaw Trailhead has corrals, space for large trailers, and camping facilities (though water only for stock).

Nearly all obstacles on the Haypress Trail through to the Burney Lake spur were cleared in 2016. Between that point and Spirit Lake, there is a tangle of logs and brush covering the trail in a burned area, for about a half mile. Hikers can get through with moderate difficulty, but the route is impractical for stock. (Updated July 2016.)

Approximate length: 24.7 miles