Monte Carlo via Middle Fork Camp

The Monte Cristo Range just north of Willard offers quiet forest, and miles of solitary rambling. There are a myriad of ways to access this trail network, including this one, which starts in the middle of the mountains. 

From the parking area, the Monte Carlo trail stretches north, offering hikers a long out-and-back, a short leg stretch, even a long loop hike. The 6.3 mile out-and-back hike provides a nice middle ground, without the climbing necessary from the Monto Carlo Trailhead off of Oklahoma Road. The solitude found here is nice, too, but it also means these trails see very little maintenance. Have a good map and routefinding skills if you aim to try this one out. 

Views of Mount Adams and St. Helens, even Hood are possible along this hike, and a small grove of ancient trees near Middle Fork Camp provides respite from the sun on a hot day. 

Note that the Department of Natural Resources land of this hike is a working forest, and some timber sales may affect the accessibility of this trail.