Jungle Creek

This trail starts out flat and crosses the creek six times in the first mile. All of the crossings are relatively easy except one that requires good balance. After about 1.1 mile and 460 feet elevation gain and the last creek crossing, the trail starts climbing steadily towards the saddle. Trees in this area were burned by the 2017 Jolly Mountain Fire and shade is sparse. Bring a lot of water and sunscreen when you hike here on a sunny hot day.

After about 2.1 miles and 1,500 feet elevation gain, you arrive at the saddle. There is a junction to Way Creek Trail (#1235) at the saddle on a ridge extending east of Johnson Mountain. When the weather is good, there are good views of peaks in the Stuart Range between burned trees. 

This makes a good turnaround point, but the Jungle Creek Trail does continue on for another 1.9 miles, descending from the saddle back down the other side of this ridge. At its end it intersects with the Johnson Medra Trail. 

In spring. there are a lot of flowers along the trail including columbine, tiger lily, paintbrush, buckwheat, lupine, thimbleberry, starflower, larkspur, clematis, penstemon, silvercrown, rockcress, salsify, Oregon grape, arnica, biscuitroot, currant, wild rose, peavine and false Solomon's seal.