They paved the Middle Fork road last year, all the way up to the Middle Fork Campground, about 9 miles. I haven’t been on that road for more than a year now. So I thought I would check it out.
Except for a couple of “still under construction” places along the road which are closed during the week, this was a marvelous 35 mph smooth drive. There are now numerous places along the road for parking at different river access points and trailheads. A few people here and there enjoying the relaxing flow of the river, some camping, but not doing anything otherwise. I went to the end today and parked in a giant parking lot, and hiked the Middle Fork Trail northeast for about 1.5 hours, or my guesstimate of 3 miles. A wonderful, beautiful trail that goes more or less along the river, gently away from it, but not gaining much altitude. I know that you can go at least 7 miles(a lot more actually) until you come to the Snow Lake trail. Going all the way up to Snow Lake would be about 10 miles total I think, each way, which is a little long for me. But its a great alternative to the Alpental trail head for Snow Lake with is EXTREMELY busy. To access it from another little used trailhead would be awesome if it wasn’t so long.
Anyway, I enjoyed my [walk] hike really, only a few people along the trail either direction. Most people seem to park at the trailhead and then hang out at the river without actually hiking. A bunch of families. It was good, well worth 4 hours out of my Sunday.