Rob Williams said

 

You want to post another photo?  You have some interesting photos!

I would, but I'm away from home for a few days and don't have access to my photo files.  Maybe someone else would like to take a turn.

Well, it doesn't look like anyone else is going to jump in here and post a photo, so I'll do it.   This trail is not in a wilderness.

It kinda reminds me of Burnt Granite.

kirk said It kinda reminds me of Burnt Granite.

That's too far north.

It looks like it's a little smokey in the photo. How about Rho Ridge?

kirk said It looks like it's a little smokey in the photo. How about Rho Ridge?

Yes, there was some smoke around, but not too much.  Photo was taken last fall when the Mother Lode fire was still smoldering.  Rho Ridge is close, but just a little too far east.

Well, it doesn't quite fit with your clues (it is almost west of Burnt Granite, so it sounds too far north), but there aren't many trails west of Rho Ridge that aren't in a wilderness.  It kind of looks like there might be a lake in the background, so I'm going to guess that might be the Skookum Lake trail.

Rob, Yes, there is a lake involved, but you won't see evidence of it in this photo.  It's not Skookum Lake.  And although it's not in a wilderness area, it's very close to one.

How about the Elk Lake Trail before it enters the wilderness?

Kirk, Interesting guess, but that's not it.  Like the Elk Lake Creek trail, this trail leads to a lake.  But neither the lake nor the trail is in a wilderness.  Hint:  This trail would be on anybody's "short" list.

Well, the trail looks well used - I was going to guess the southern part of Baty Butte down near Joyce Lake, but after your "short" hint, I'm going to guess Round Lake?  The looks familiar with the Rhodies and a well used trail....

Rob, you're riight.  It's the Round Lake trail.  The view in the photo is toward the northwest, looking toward the Bull of the Woods wilderness whose boundary is not far from the trailhead. Your turn to come up with a photo.

OK, I found a good one.  This was taken just off (maybe even on) an existing trail.  You can definitely see the creek from the trail.  It is not in a wilderness area.  

That scene looks vaguely familiar. Maybe a hint will stir some guesses? I haven't been able to find a name for this creek on any maps. So, if we were to give it a name, we would want something that has more than a tenuous connection to the local flora. (This hint is legit, Rob said I could. )

OK, it seems everyone is busy hiking, or are stumped.  I'll give a little more clue.  This creek is right next to the trail at this point, and is close to a road.  It is a pretty lightly used trail.

Cripple Creek?

Robert Koscik said Cripple Creek?

You need to head farther north - and remember, this is (apparently) an un-named creek.  The maps show no name for it.

That was a good guess. Stay with the tenuous and lightly clues. Go north and you'll soon be there!

What about the 517 around Grouse Point?  Although I think that's wilderness now.

Keep heading north...