North Fork KP Trail - # 93

**NOTICE**

The Northwest portion of the Blue Range Primitive Area where this trail is located has been severely affected by the Wallow Fire of June 2011. The area is currently open to public use and entry - HOWEVER trails may not have been recently assessed or maintained for hazards associated with the fire, so plan your trip accordingly.

Please keep in mind that any area affected by the wildfire can be prone to hazards such as falling trees, flooding and burned out stump holes. The environment you are entering is highly susceptible to rainstorms and wind events. Any time you enter the forest, you should be aware of your environment and changing weather conditions. You are responsible for your own safety! Always look up, look down, and look all around.

There's more reasons to hike this cool woodland trail than just because it offers an alternate, slightly shorter access route to the KP Trail (# 70) at the bottom of KP Canyon.

As with all Wilderness and Primitive Area trails, # 93 trail is open to hiking and horse use, but all types of motorized and mechanized travel are prohibited.

There's more reasons to hike this cool woodland trail than just because it offers an alternate, slightly shorter access route to the KP Trail at the bottom of KP Canyon. For one thing, it leads to one of the most scenic areas in the Blue Primitive Area, the confluence of the north and south forks of KP Creek. This spot is marked by steep, rocky outcrops and a couple of ten foot waterfalls. You'll want to spend some time here, so remember to pack a picnic lunch along with your camera and bird book. Sheltered riparian areas with their diverse vegetation and accessible moisture attract a variety of colorful songbirds.

The route to this beautiful little hideout is scenic in its own right. The North Fork Trail quickly leaves the upland habitat of its origin for the more lush confines of a deepening canyon and its well established streamside community of plants and animals. As the trail dives down the steep slopes of the North Fork drainage, it is highlighted by the lush green of box elders, sawtooth maple and healthy stands of poison ivy that cluster near the streambed. Within a half mile of the confluence, the canyon of the South Fork comes into view and rocky outcrops give a hint of the canyon landscape that is up ahead. The North Fork KP Trail and the KP Trail join about ten yards upstream of the two waterfalls that mark the confluence in a beautiful spot that will have you looking for a place to sit down and enjoy the view, as you contemplate whether to continue downstream a bit before you decide which trail to take back to the high country.

 Trail Log:

• 0.0 Trailhead parking area which is shared with KP Rim Trailhead. Trail follows an old logging road for the first 0.7 miles
• 0.7 Trail leaves logging road
• 0.8 Trail switchbacks down to a creekside trail
• 1.5 Trail contours around a tributary coming in from the north
• 2.4 Junction with KP Trail (# 70). There is a water fall just downstream

USGS Maps: Strayhorse

At a Glance