Trail Overview
FS 2399 is a rugged two-track trail that runs through part of the Popple River valley, as well as alongside the Popple River for part of its length. This trail is more technical when started at its intersection with FS 2398 and traveled west to its intersection with FS 2162A. The route can be used in conjunction with FS 2162A to create a nice loop between FS 2398 and FS 2162. This trail begins as a gentle, rolling two-track dirt forest road as it navigates down in elevation to the Popple River Valley. As the trail loses elevation, it will begin to develop several low areas that typically have some amount of water and mud, typically under 4-6 inches deep. The scenery in this area is a healthy mix of hardwoods and cedar trees. As the trail progresses west, it will continue to slowly lose elevation before a roughly 100-foot stagnant water crossing will need to be navigated. This is typically around 12 inches deep total and has a couple of inches of mud below the water surface. There are several large logs/ branches that lie below the water's surface that could need to be climbed, depending on their orientation at the time. Once out of this water spot, the trail then begins to build elevation as it navigates along and around the banks of the Popple River, before reaching its endpoint. The scenery in this area is dominated by dense undergrowth, glimpses of the Popple River, and mature hardwoods. Cell service in this area is very limited, and traveling with downloaded maps is recommended, as there are several old logging tracts which could easily be confused for the trail.
Difficulty
The most challenging part of this trail is the water crossing located at roughly the halfway mark. This is around 100 feet long, with an average depth of 8-12 inches. There are a couple of logs in the bottom of this water crossing that may need to be traversed, depending on how they are oriented. There are a couple of 4-6 inch deep mud holes located throughout this trail. As the trail travels further west, there is more long grass present on the trail and growing into the trail from the trail sides. Most of this trail is only wide enough for one vehicle, and several sections will require vehicles to either pull over or reverse to a clearing to allow for passage.
