DESCRIPTION:

T33 branches off T19  0.9 mile up trail from Southfork Campground. The upper end of T33 is also signed from T19, just 125 feet from where T19 ties in with T 25.  Parts of T 33 are some of the least discernible and most difficult to follow of any found in this publication.  To hike T33, it is strongly recommended to start from its upper trailhead, after hiking up T19 from the campground. Caution: allow two days for the loop trip.  From its upper end, the path follows a long ridge for 2.4 miles with incredible panoramic views. Along the first 1.1 miles, rock cairns generally provide adequate reference points for the path that may be hard to discern. Beyond that, the ridge includes several steep grades where the stony trail attains gradients up to 40%.

 The most difficult section begins at mile 2.4 from the upper trailhead and is marked by three large cairns in close proximity. Beyond here, for the next 0.6 mile, the official route can be confused with elk trails as it passes through small openings and forest. Chances are good that those unfamiliar with the path will lose it several times.  The key for finding the official route is to stay on the ridge, or just to the right (south) of it as one descends. Never go to the left side (out of sight) of the ridge, or you may end up hiking wildlife trails all the way down Bear Canyon, coming out at the horse stables along FR107, as I did!  To complicate matters, this section is quite steep with a maximum gradient of 50% and several above 35%.

 At mile 3.0, the elusive trail section ends just to the right of the descending ridge, at the edge of a nice meadow. This is the largest open area along T 33 between the upper subalpine meadows and the lower trailhead. Soon the trail becomes obvious, as a constructed path with just one switchback, and passes through a meadow for several hundred feet.

 At mile 3.5, the trail joins a narrow old mining road, one of three. If you explore any side roads or trails, observe "No Trespassing" signs for active operations, and privately owned land. BE CAREFUL when looking around old diggings.  Small but quaint Bluefront Pond is at mile 4.0.