Washington Section

imported
#1

I’ve got a hike coming up in Late July in the North Cascades (The picket Traverse) Anyway once that is done I plan I hiking south to Snoqualmie Pass (I-90) from Rainy Pass (HWY-20). My questions are…

Is there somewhere close to Rainy Pass to sleep for the night and get resuppplied before I start?

Generally what are the trail conditions? I’ve done from White Pass to Snoqualmie Pass is it more of the same? (Nice trail, nice views?) Does the trail remain well marked?

Generally what will the conditions be as far a snow? I’ll have cramptons and an Ice axe for the Picket Traverse but will I need to take them for this section of the PCT? (I’m guessing not)

Is the Indian Pass to Miners Creek Detour still in affect? Is it well marked now that it has been a couple of years or will I still need a “high degree of backcountry skill level?”

Any thing else feel free to throw them in, I’ve got as much time as I need but plan on doing this hike in about 11 days @ about 17 miles a day.

Thanks for any info.

SweetAss

SweetAss

#2

Not that I know all of what you are asking, but once you get within 2 or so days of Stevens Pass to Snoqulamie Pass, you have to try to get lost :wink: Nice trail conditions (or at least we can hope after this past winter!) and yes, pretty to boot.
Snow could be a fun one this year. Most likely it won’t be an issue by late July, but I’d wait and see before you toss the gear (watch trail reports in say early July, on wta.org)

sarbar

#3

Mazama is a great place to resupply - its about 15 miles East on HWY 20. I’ve stayed @ the Mazama country Inn & the North Cascades Basecamp - both have hot tubs (the Inn is more $). The Mazama store is small, but adequate for food & they serve meals too.

The trail is great in that section. The detour is still in effect, but many hikers, including myself, have walked the closed section of PCT around Glacier Peak. Both the detour and the closed section require some river fording skills. The detour is probably somewhat easier and its definitely safer.

If you hike the closed section of PCT, you will have to ford 7 creeks/rivers. Its imperative that you find a fallen tree to cross on if the water is high. Otherwise, you will have to turn around and hike back. (good idea to bring extra food) I wouldn’t hike the closed PCT section unless you are very comfortable with difficult fording situations and also route finding. (the trail is completely washed out in two places)

Snow levels for July are impossible to predict at this point.

Happy Trails!

freebird

#4

Dude, Mazama is tough to get to and from as there isn’t a lot of traffic…well some going up to the Ranger Station, but still.

If you go East(To the right if Northbound at Rainey Pass) about 28 miles…and this is an EASY hitch as everyone who lives in this area are outdoor people, you’ll get to the awesome little town of Whintrop.

It took me maybe ten minutes in October to get in and when I left town I didnt even have to hitch…I was walking away from the grocery store and a climber picked me up…he told me the town knows hikers because they all are hikers.

Im STUNNED this isn’t mentioned in any of the books, as it is amazing.

it is built in the style of an Old West town, and I mean PALE RIDER looking, with boardwalk sidewalks as well.

They have an old school house that is a Microbrewery and it has GREAT local Micros, three really good restarants, the BEST Mexican food since around campo, an internet cafe, three hotels–from 65$ to 120$…a grocery store, a hardware store with heet and stove fuel as well as other hiker suppplies.

This should be mentioned as it would save a lot of hikers worry and weight dealing with the Stehekin stop, especially if Stehekin is closed for the late arrivals.

I even got to play guitar and sing and meet a nice girl at the microbrewery…so I say WHINTROP! WOOOHOOOO!

You will be glad you went just because it looks so damn cool.

Now, about those trails up there…they were pretty washed out already, and when I was there the weather got NASTY and I am wondering in all honesty just how much PCT will be left when the snow melts…Landslides were everywhere…maybe check with the rangers, but it was really bad and the snow levels in WA are still really high.

example here from my hike:

Good Luck

Lion King

#5

It was awesome, but again…the long bridges may be gone, the washouts will MOST ASSUREDLY be worse and the trial may be completely gone in some sections after the big storms in November.

here, a shot of the Closed PCT before the storms…awesome!!!

lion king

#6

Whintrop has been the first option due to the fact that I will have transportation from the first point after the Norhtern Pickett Traverse.
Anyway I’m mostly “worried” about the trail conditions, which of course neither of us can say for sure what they will be.

Not sure what it is doing on that side of Washington but this side most of the snow is gone and I’m about ready to get my hiking shoes back on!!

Lion King-- I (after what 4 years) got around to watching Walking With Freedom. I had to laugh, I forgot about you filming us from the back of the truck as we were hitching back to trail days. AHHH those were the good old days.

SweetAss

SweetAss

#7

Yeah man, I had to include that Atkins image…

That was great with all you guys standing by the interstate with the Trail days sign.

LOL

good times indeed

lion king