Cranberry Back Country

Been going there to backpack,cross country ski, mountain bike,day hike and more for over 40 years. A beautiful one of a kind place

I had to go back for a 2nd backpacking trip. . . The first time I conquered the west side of cranberry. The topography was dense lush forests along the north south trail to little fork and back around on middle fork trails. The second time I went back we did the east side along forks of cranberry trailhead and along the left for of cranberry river. . .this was. . .a truely spectacular hike. This area is particularly interesting since it was burned down in the 40's (iirc). The topography is reminiscent of a near above treeline Ridgeline, with smaller coniferous trees and rocky terrain. You head downhill for about 6 miles to the cranberry river. We headed back along the east side of north/south which had beautiful sections of moss and tall coniferous trees (truely desktop background worthy). A few friends and I went there on October 22nd and encountered snow which made for some great contrast to the brilliant fall colors and still green moss. All the attached picture are from my second trip. Cranberry is not about mountain vistas, rather a unique terrain and forrest growth that you're unlikely to encounter anywhere else. A few backpacking notes, you are likely to encounter black bears up in the trees (they are more afraid you, and and will scurry away), the thick brush will likely make you walk at a slower pace so plan your loops according with turn around options, and lastly most of the trails are not marked, you will get off the trail at some point. Be smart if it doesn't look like the trail, turn around, head back to the last cairn or cut log you saw and look again.

GETTING LOST NEAR THE SITE OF THE MOVIE WRONG TURN 1,2 AND 3 NOT MY CUP OF TEA THANXZ

My second home