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My girlfriend and I decided to check this route out one day in July 2005. We thought "great, it will avoid some of the long approach to Near Point, or at least just be different". That day was overcast, and there had been a lot of stories about an abundance of bears in the Campbell Airstrip Road area.

We started off and were instantly taken aback by how un-kept-up this new trail was. It still felt like a local's access route, not an official park route, once you got past the fancy trailhead.

The first part up the power line was overgrown, with wet grass and cow parsnip. Then we turned to follow the canyon, and were amazed that the trail has been built right on the side of the eroding bluff. A lot of this portion will be lost within a year or two! It was really cool to see the Campbell Creek Canyon (when you could catch a glimpse through the trees.)

Basically though, even though Stuckagain Height's houses were probably just a few dozen yards away (we could hear dogs barking), we felt very exposed to bears and isolated. And then, once you get to the head of the canyon, you have an unmarked fork in the trail. I guess this is where this website says to start following the yellow flags, but we did not know this. It seemed to me we were just heading back to the Prospect Heights area, and saving no time or distance, and we seemed to be on a "bear highway" (scat, strange clearings in the brush, etc..).

Maybe it was just our mood. I see now from the map on this website that it would have worked if we had just gone left at the fork. Instead we bagged it at the fork, hightailed it back while calling out for any unseen bears to stay away, and went and did Near Point that day from Prospect Heights.

Unless you are avoiding traffic at rush-hour or you live right near that area, I do not see the advantage of taking this route. It seems dangerous to do on on your own. Of course I still am not sold on Near Point from either way, due to the long approach and lack of elevation. There are better hikes, closer, and with more immediate access to alpine tundra (if that is your deal, as it is mine.)

Ross gave this hike a 2 moose hoof rating as well.

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The following is a contribution from Ben Siwiec:

(October 11, 2005) I feel it's necessary to comment in response to the recent contribution to the Eastside Access Trail review by Ross Timm. I have hiked this trail a bunch of times this summer and fall and it is currently in remarkably good shape. Sometime in August someone did an extensive trail clearing project that chopped back ALL the cow parsnip, devil's club, and grass from the entire length of the trail. I don't know who is working on this trail, but somebody cares about it! Someone also has placed three new wooden foot bridges on the trail (two across active creeks and one across a small dry creek bed). I wonder whether this is a State Park project, Municipality project or just concerned hikers. Also of note is that the section of trail mentioned by Ross Timm as being too near the cliff has since been relocated 50-100 feet farther back from the bluff--and many alders were cut to create this new trail section.

One confusing thing about this trail is that it is totally unsigned and there are certain turns that must be made. From Basher Drive, the first half of the trail (about 15-20 minutes walking time) is under the power lines, and near the bluff.

The second half (another 15-20 minutes) is the confusing part. You will cross a new small footbridge across a dry creek then come to an intersection with a winter cross country skiing route where you must turn left. Beyond this point flagging is intermittent and not particularly helpful (as of late Sept. 2005).

Shortly after joining the ski route there will be a rough foot path to the right (might or might not be flagged). This is a decent option and following it for 15 minutes or so will bring you to the normal Prospect Heights trail near the Wolverine Peak turnoff. It had not been cleared of brush and was muddy when I last used it.

Choosing not to follow the footpath to the right and continuing straight along the ski route for a short distance will take you across a very small creek bed and up a small hill, then you will come to another intersection where the larger trail goes to the right. This had been cleared and was obvious last time I was there. It is also the route that follows the yellow metal flags (in the trees) marking the winter ski route (following these markers will bring you all the way to the Prospect Heights trail). You will continue for about 15 minutes and cross two foot bridges before the trail meets the Prospect Heights trail at the Wolverine Peak intersection.

This trail takes me about 30 minutes to get from my car to the Wolverine Peak intersection if I walk fast, which is about the same as if I had started at Prospect Heights. There isn't much of a time advantage in going this way, but it's great for people who don't want to drive all the way to Prospect Heights. I also think it's more scenic.

One other thing I should mention is that the trailhead information isn't quite correct. The trailhead parking isn't on the left side of Basher Drive; it's on the right (south). Look for the power lines. Immediately after passing under them, look on the right for a driveway leading into a small parking area. This is the trailhead, although it is unsigned as of yet. 

Webmasters Note: Oops! I goofed! Sorry about that.  The information has been corrected above.

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