Trail Overview
Thorne River North Flats Road is accessed from North Thorne River (FS 3015) at about the 0.2-mile mark and is the first road to the left. This is a one-lane gravel road with grass in the centerline and lining the road between ferns, brush, and large potholes with water. The road grade is rougher and is very hilly. There is a winding creek that flows to the Honker River with large flat meadows, and depending on the fish running in the river, you can see birds down the creek near the beginning of the road. Deer are seen on this road with multiple roads attaching that are not shown on the map, as well as FS 3015051 Road. As the road comes to the end at the last corner, it becomes grass and moss-covered, with trees lining the trail. This scenic road winds through trees lining the trail with tall grass and ferns, passing older logging cuts and new growth between the older forests, and travels around a lake before ending at a small grass-covered area with dense tree growth that is just big enough to back up and turn around. This road winds around hills and crosses creeks. On this scenic hilly road, the elevation is between 27 to 182 feet. This is a down-and-back road. You can see Sitka spruce, Western Hemlock, Red cedar, Yellow cedar, poplar, and birch, as well as lichen, moss, ferns, and dense old-growth forests and flowers in this temperate rainforest. There is wildlife in this area. Be safety-minded for Black bears, changing weather conditions, and sudden changes to the road due to rain and landslides. Always plan your trip with basic survival items and local wildlife safety in mind, in case you get stuck in-between roads during a road washout or landslide. There are limited resources here for clearing roads. It is advisable to have a contact and some form of tracker so that your contact can make sure you are on plan and not stuck somewhere. This road connects to other recreational roads and is not a main road for travel. Prince of Wales has Black Bear, Sitka black-tailed deer, Alexander Archipelago Wolves, Bald Eagles, Osprey, Mink, Marten, Beaver, Ermine, and Flying Squirrels, along with a variety of Marine life and Sea Birds. Salmon, Trout, and Steelhead run in the rivers and creeks here. Weather plays a part in the level of difficulty, as this is in a rainforest, and a lot of these roads go through areas of muskeg/wetlands and hills. There are great views of tree-lined, winding roads, hills, and creeks. Tall grass, ferns, a variety of trees, lichens, moss, muskeg, forest, and flowers can be seen, as well as scenic landscapes. Warnings: Keep on the road and watch hillsides for landslides, watch for falling or down trees, and be cautious of water over the roadway. Watch for signs of road deterioration or washouts due to heavy rainfall. No cell service noted. Check weather conditions and be prepared for rain, fog with low visibility, and lower temperatures. It is a rainforest. Suggested best time of year: June - October.
