Husted Trail

Husted Trail is a historic, unmaintained out-and-back west from North Boundary into the West Creek drainage. From Cow Creek Trailhead, budget about 11 miles round trip: around 2.6 miles each way to the Husted junction, then about 3 miles each way on the old track. Allow about eight to ten hours. A sampled elevation profile suggests roughly 3,200 feet of cumulative climbing, including the North Boundary saddle and the return climb. This is a hard day for hikers comfortable navigating a faint trail without reliable signs.

From Cow Creek, follow North Boundary; the route turns onto it about 0.2 mile from the trailhead. Continue roughly 2.4 miles to a small drainage and a cairn on a broad, flat boulder. The Husted path leaves west from there. It's easy to walk past, so mark the spot for your return. North Boundary drops toward West Creek after the saddle, so the way back includes a climb you already did on the way in.

Husted climbs west. Mount Dickinson comes into view early, and a south-facing view opens higher up. The track enters the fire-affected West Creek area, where the old tread can become hard to distinguish and cairns give only a general direction. The mapped line runs about three miles from the junction, but it doesn't guarantee clear tread all the way. Turn back when the path stops being recognizable. Mount Dickinson summit outings continue off-trail beyond Husted and are not part of this hike.

The route enters the West Creek Research Natural Area. Daytime foot travel is allowed there, but the National Park Service discourages it; overnight use is not permitted. Pets are prohibited on all park trails. Park at the signed Cow Creek Trailhead lot on McGraw Ranch Road.