Dawson Peak Trail #8W32

Dogs Unknown

Features Historical Significance · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall · Wildlife

This is a tough route, not to be underestimated. Be well prepared with survival knowledge and equipment, as well as a companion if possible.

The author ran this trail and Fish Fork as part of a summer loop from Devil's Backbone Trailhead around to Lupine and back up the Forest Road and Blue Ridge road. It was done in jeans, trailrunners, and wimpy gloves. While not recommended, it is survivable. However expect many, many awful pokes from the foliage without thicker gear.

To be clear, this trail is overgrown and the experience will be closer to off-trail hiking most of the time. Few visitors come this way, or even know the trail exists, and it likely has not seen maintenance in multiple decades. Buckthorn and fallen trees have reclaimed the majority of the official trail bed, where it still exists.

Despite all this, the Dawson Peak trail gives unique and spectacular views of the local mountains, ridgelines, and drainages. The north face of Mt. Baldy and Iron Mountain, east face of Mt. Baden-Powell (spectacular in the sunrise), and more await. In wetter periods, Fish Fork and other drainages can be heard in the quiet, with waterfalls visible even from afar. Finally, the Little and Upper Fish Fork campgrounds (though horribly overgrown) can be accessed from this trail near its lower western end, as it connects and ends at the Fish Fork Trail (#8W10).

One may begin the trail as it forks off of the North Devil's Backbone Trail #7W05 about 2 miles south of its trailhead. Initially created as a logging road, the bed of the trail is wide and smooth. However, it is quickly overcome by fallen trees and buckthorn. Do your best to follow, though many detours will be necessary. As one comes to the southern side of the ridge, the trail begins a turn to the west, switchbacks marking its descent. As the trail turns north it curves around the first of a few draws that occasionally flow with a creek. These areas are generally full of thicker vegetation. Continue up the other side of the draw and over the following ridge, following its switchbacks as best they can be. Passing a sharp south to north switchback, you'll approach what is likely the best way to reach the Upper Fish Fork Campground--a steep, 1,000 foot downhill path not generally charted. Following the charted path, found at the end of this trail, is likely impossible due to the thick overgrowth from the nearby water. The trail then ends as it intersects the Fish Fork Trail, which will take one to Lupine Campground.

This trail has a history as a logging road, and as such one may find relics from that era if they look hard enough. Sadly, it is more likely one will find trash in the vicinity of the campgrounds from lazy hikers and hunters past. Generally however, the rest of the trail is as isolated from the human presence as one can get.

The area has seen a few wildfires in the last 50 years, and in upper areas this is very clear. Burnt, fallen trees abound. Climb over these with care. Buckthorn is particularly present throughout, on and around all sections of the trail. For this reason thick pants, tall boots, and tough gloves are recommended at minimum.

As the area is named Sheep Wilderness, they can be found here. Bears are also to be expected, as well as regular deer and small critters. Solo hikers consider some form of noisemaking to avoid surprise encounters.