I am preparing to do the leg from Stevens Pass to Steheking. The detour is closed because of a fire. Any info on the condition of the original PCT route on the west side of Glacier Peak. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Please email golfchief@msn.com
Don
This is excerpted from a post on the PCT-L. I believe this is the section you want to know about.
He also asked that we post a bit of information about the original stretch of PCT in Washington between Milks Creek to Vista Creek and south of Milks Creek to Fire Creek Pass. While he and Eric and another hiker named Sideshow Bob have hiked this stretch instead of taking the re-route, he said he wouldn’t advise it unless you’re up for a serious adventure. Between the old growth blow downs, head high overgrowth and serious trail erosion, it’s a nightmare to hike. He said he’d be hiking barely able to see the trail through the overgrowth and suddenly come to a cliff where the trail had eroded out and have to back up and look for
a way to get around it. The blow downs number between 4-500 in his estimation and all huge old growth. All this in 15 miles!!! He said if anyone decided to take it though, one day extra food is required. A note on the water crossings, the 8" log over the Whitechuck is very wobbly and with a 20’ drop to the water below, a bit dicey while Vista Creek and the Suiattle have crossable logs.
Scott Bryce
to get a glimpse of what it looked like this year in October BEFORE ANOTHER GIANT STORM, you can check out the you tube clip on my wbesite walkingwithfreedom-dot-com that says Glaciar Peak…it shows the log he is talking about, and it was rugged, BUT AWESOME!
I can probably tell you that the trial may not even be there in a lot of places as the weather turned really bad in November up there with major flooding and washouts and…well…it will be exciting if nothing else.
I did the original section and loved it, just make sure you do have extra food, and check with local rangers about current conditions as it could be even worse.
Lion King