The North Fork of the Big Wood Trailhead.
The North Fork Trail leaves the northeast end of the parking lot, and the West Fork of the North Fork of the Big Wood Trail leaves from the west end.
A view looking up the entire North Fork of the Big Wood Canyon from Ibex Peak. The trail stays on the right side of the canyon through the many open avalanche-swept meadows. The limestone gorge and waterfall is in the lower left side of the photo.
Photo Date: 
09/01/2009
The turnoff to West Pass is just under 2 miles up the North Fork Canyon.
Above the West Pass junction the trail contours above this pale limestone canyon that contains the stair-step waterfall.
The falls remain mostly out of view of the trail, though a short scamble can offer a reasonable view.
Several huge avalanche paths keep large sections of the canyon free of permanent pine and fir trees.
The beautiful south ridge of Peak 10,886 is crossed by several colorful intrusive dikes.
Looking into the headwaters of the North Fork to the divide (low saddle left) with the West Fork of the North Fork drainage. Peak 11,298 is the peak in the middle of the skyline.
Above 8,200 feet the trail fades into the landscape. Hikers have to negotiate steep, forested hillsides to reach the upper alpine basins. This is a view partway up that climb.
Another view of the south ridge of Peak 10,886.
Evidence of glacial activiy can be recognized by the glacially polished slabs along the hike.
A veiw down the North Fork of the Big Wood from about 9,400 feet.
The treeline is around 9,600 feet where hikers will enter the upper alpine basins.
Mostly a wasteland of broken sedimentary scree and talus, the headwaters of the North Fork are a challening off-trail scramble.
Small pockets of shrubs and flowers cling to some slopes.
Snow detail in the creek.
Sticky polemonium (Polemonium viscosum). This is an alpine version of Jacob's ladder.
Looking down the North Fork of the Big Wood before the final climb to the divide with the West Fork of the North Fork.
A view down onto the alpine rock and scree slopes of the North Fork headwaters from the divide with the West Fork of the North Fork.