James Myers – Nez Perce-Clearwater Trail Crew Member

Trail #421

Nez Perce Clearwater National Forest

After my internship was over last year (2018) I was fortunate enough to tag along with the trail crew for one last Wilderness adventure. Trail 421 runs along the beautiful Moose Creek I always hear so much about, but the most fascinating thing about this area are the Cedars! Massive Cedar trees with fern undergrowth and scattered rays of light shinning down, walking through feels as if you’ve been transported to another world. I was very excited to say the least when I got the news that we would be going back to spend more time with the Cedars. It took us a few days working down trail 486, but the wait is always worth it once you arrive in this forest. The Huckleberries, Thimbleberries, Blackberries (even though they aren’t native), and Serviceberries were in full swing so not only were our visual senses occupied our taste buds were enjoying themselves also! We were able to stay tucked away at a really special campsite hidden just off the trail under an amazing canopy right next to Moose Creek. This was one of the same spots we stayed at the year before. The Misquotes must having been enjoying the forest also, because they left us alone for the most part! Eventually our time came to an end once we finished all the work in the area and we continued our journey along 421.This part of 421was new to me and I began to understand how one could fall in love with Moose Creek. Moose Creek is filled with wonderful swimming holes and if one just stops to look they can see plenty of Trout swimming and rising in the water so naturally, it makes you wonder how they’ve gotten things figured out so easily? Being able to work in such amazing spaces is truly a blessing, but being able to share theses areas with an amazing team of friends really makes the Wilderness feel like a home.