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White Pine - Bunchgrass, 24 August, 2025

Eleven Cache Hikers enjoyed a late summer hike, traveling south on the White Pine - Bunchgrass Canyon trail to the "original" Tony Grove area along lower Tony Grove Creek.  Hike leader Dave W started out early, so co-leader Jane organized carpools and got the group to the trailhead (the Forest Service is planning a major trailhead renovation here, with more parking, restrooms, and a new connecting trail).

The hikers went south from the Steam Mill trailhead and turned off on White Pine Canyon trail after 1/4 mile to continue south through a large meadow.  There was a good flow of water from a trailside spring in the meadow, yet there was little water at the White Pine Creek crossing.  About 11:00, they arrived at the junction with the White Pine - Bunchgrass Canyon trail with its ambiguously worded trail sign.  The group met Dave W at a high point about 11:45 and he accompanied them the rest of the way.  They took a half-hour lunch break about 12:00.

Hikers were getting tired of the dry and dusty trail, so after lunch they departed from the recently realigned (2018-2020) trail sections to follow the old route, thereby shortening the trip by more than a mile.  This route went by a muddy stock pond, where they were fascinated to discover a small terrestrial garter snake trying to swallow a  paedomorphic tiger salamander.  They weren't sure if the little snake was up to the task, but they were not prepared to stay and see the eventual outcome.

Continuing past Goring Pond (there wasn't much water there, either) and on to the mouth of Bunchgrass Canyon, the group turned south to follow the new trail to the "original" Tony Grove along lower Tony Grove Creek.  This area near Lewis M Turner campground and the historic Tony Grove Guard Station is where "tony" people camped in the early 1900s, but in recent years the "Tony Grove " term is often applied to the area around Tony Grove Lake, 7 miles to the west.

Besides the garter snake and salamander, the hikers encountered a fast-moving eastern racer snake, a family of ruffed grouse, a dusky grouse, and lots of "slow elk" (aka cows).  The cows have trampled much of the Bunchgrass Canyon area and they seemed to have eaten virtually all of the palatable vegetation around.  We also picked up a few trail markers that may have been left after last week's White Pine 50 Backcountry Race.

The hike was about 7.6 miles in length, with about 1300 feet ascending and 1500 feet descending. 

Note:  As mentioned, the trail was dry and dusty and water sources were diminished, so it was not surprising to learn that Logan was experiencing the driest summer in the 132 years that records have been kept.

Trip Summary:
  • 11 Cache Hikers:  Sue, Dan, Brent J, Dave P, Laurel, Kamren, Ophelia, Teresa, Deb, and co-leaders Jane and Dave W
  • Drove 26 miles to the Steam Mill trailhead near the Franklin Basin Road, with a stop to pick up a driver who left a "shuttle" car at the Tony Grove Winter Trailhead
  • Started hiking about 9:00 on the Steam Mill trail, turned off on the White Pine Canyon trail after 1/4 mile, turned onto the White Pine-Bunchgrass Canyon trail about 11:00, arrived at the Tony Grove Winter Trailhead about 2:30 and Logan about 3:30 (after waiting for drivers to pick up their vehicles and return from the Steam Mill trailhead)
  • Comfortable temperatures, partly cloudy skies and calm winds, but very dry and dusty trails
  • Hiked about 7.6 miles with about 1300 feet ascending and 1500 feet descending

Thanks to Dave W for the narrative, photos and GPS data, and Jane, Dan and Dave P for photos.


Starting out


The spring in the meadow was flowing well (left), but White Pine Creek was nearly dry (right)

The sign at the White Pine Canyon and White Pine - Bunchgrass Canyon trail junction is ambiguous

Dave met the rest of the group at a high point on the trail and joined them for the descent


The dry and very dusty trail encouraged some hikers to wear bandanas over their faces
There was not much water in Goring Pond


Looking from lower Tony Grove Creek toward the historic Tony Grove Guard Station and tree nursery
 A plaque at Lewis M Turner campground (location of the "original" Tony Grove) acknowledges the tree-planting efforts of Girl Scouts

This diseased aspen tree caught our attention
 Snowberry, Symphoricarpos oreophilus

There were plenty of "slow elk" in the area (notice the dry and trampled vegetation)
 An unknown creature left its tracks on the dusty trail
This small garter snake may have bitten more than it could swallow

Our GPS track shows about 7.6 miles with about1300 feet ascending and 1500 descending.
You can look at our route using Google Earth or download our GPS file.