SECTION ‘K’ PCT UPDATE:
I just finished hiking the 45 mile closed section of the PCT (Indian Pass to Miners Creek around Glacier Peak) and am posting this info just in case anyone is planning on attempting it. I am certainly not recommending hiking it, but i realise that there will be others like myself that love severe challenges and will be attempting it this summer. I hiked it southbound on my ‘flip-flop’ thru hike during the last week of June. The list below just covers the major challenges (listed South to North like the Guidebook), and does not include the numerous blow-downs, route-finding and bush-wack sections:
From Indian Creek to Miners Pass (Section K):
(1) White Chuck River (K7): Bridge is collapsed into a 30 foot waterfall - do not attempt to ford upstream. There is a natural bridge of 3 fallen trees about .1 downstream that makes an easy, dry crossing possible.(If these trees are gone, make sure to find others downstream)
(2) Sitkum Creek (K8): Sitkum Creek is a mere trickle now, and the “unmapped creek” listed on page 299 of the guidebook (2nd paragraph)which is about a 1/4 mile north of Sitkum has become a the new drainage for this side of Glacier Peak. This area was heavily damaged, there is some route-finding involved through the devastation. When you hit the avalanche/mudslide area procede upstream until you find the red streamers & then follow the streamers accross the newly formed river to the PCT tread on the north bank.
(3) Kennedy Creek (K8): area of heavy brush on south side to be negotiated.
(4) Milk Creek Area(K8): Approximately 1/2 mile south of Milk Creek, there is a cliff-side washout of a series of switchbacks. It is much easier & safer to cross the 1st washout up top and then stay on the north side of the switchbacks, climbing down the edge of the ravine using tree limbs and roots to the next section of PCT tread, rather than attempting a dangerous crossing of the ravine down below. The South bank of Milk Creek itself is washed out as well, creating a 30 foot cliff where the PCT meets the Creek. About 50 to 75 feet South on the trail you can see a huge log directly below the PCT on the stream bed. I left a rock cairn on the Trail to mark this spot - it was the easiest spot to climb from the river below. I found the easiest ford of Milk creek about 10 feet upstream of the broken PCT bridge, using the remaining portion of the bridge to reach the North bank. If the river flow is too heavy here, find a tree-bridge downstream.
(5) Suiattle River (K10)Severe Destruction here: the shelter and campground area on North bank are gone - the only remaining evidence that it once existed is the wood toilet seat sitting on the sand! This ford, like the White Chuck River, is normally too dangerous to attempt without a fallen tree as a bridge. Currently there is a good 2 tree, natural bridge approx. 1/4 mile upstream.
*** Notes: i walked this section in fairly ideal conditions: cloudy and cool, without too much glacier melt run-off. This PCT section would be much more difficult, possibly extremely dangerous in heavy rain. If you attempt it, i would recommend carrying extra food so that you can turn back and retreat if necessary. Currently, there is no “bomb-off” or side route option, due to the fact that ALL of the side trails are not passable due to major bridges that are out & heavy landslide areas. Since it takes about 3 days to traverse this 45 mile section, there is the possibility of getting pinned down for a number of days due to flood conditions. Finally, i kept reminding myself while i hiked to not be impulsive about any major decision at these obstacles. i spent quite a bit of time searching the banks of the rivers for safe fords, and invariably i would find a fallen tree instead of attempting a treacherous ford.
Happy Trails, freebird
freebird