[pct-l] Fw: Oregon Conditions

[Paul Martin Smith]

Great report! I wish more were like this.

Just a couple of repeats of previous posts to clarify your observations:

“The Forest Service is working on repairing the crossing of Milk Creek near Mt Jefferson, and hopes to have it passable to stock toward the end of the summer. Currently, hikers are crossing by going downstream, hopping down into the creek bed, and picking their way across a jumble of boulders. 
[Hopefully, north bounders will find better markers for this diversion]

The Pameilia Lake Trail, which provides access to the PCT near Milk Creek in the Mt Jefferson Wilderness, has a new bridge and is now open and passable.”
[A climber incorrectly reported this bridge as the PCT crossing of Milk Creek. This confusion is understandable given the destruction in
 the area]

Milk Creek remains impassable for stock until late summer. 

“Hwy 242 (old McKenzie highway at MP1985.5) remains under construction until early Sept. The FS and PCTA are still recommending you avoid the Hwy due to the dangers of haul trucks on the road.”
To get to Lava Camp Lake use the trail at MP1198.4 south of Hwy 242.

Does anyone know how to contact Okie Girl by e-mail or ‘phone?

 
Paul Martin Smith
PCTA volunteer coordinator - Mid Oregon
paulmartinsmith2004 at yahoo.co.uk
541 207 3255


----- Original Message ----
From: Piroska Balogh <piros4 at comcast.net>
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Sent: Monday, July 30, 2007 9:36:29 AM
Subject: [pct-l] Oregon Conditions

Hi all,

I just finished a northbound section hike of Oregon and here's what I  
saw. Most of the trail has or is in the process of being logged out.

The skeeters were really bad especially in southern Oregon but are  
probably dying down. I used Sawyer's Permethrin spray to treat my  
pants and tank top and man does that stuff work! It survives through  
multiple washings and not a single mosquito bit me through my
 clothes  
even my super thin tanktop! I used Ultrathon 33% DEET for my skin and  
that worked well though I had to apply it multiple times a day when  
the bugs were bad and I was still pretty thoroughly bitten mostly  
because I didn't put the DEET on unless the bugs were fairly hungry.  
For sleeping, I used the Equinox bug bivy I bought from Backpacking  
Light that works really well with or without a tarp, sets up easily  
and is quite stable, isn't claustrophobic, packs up compact and  
weighs around 4-5 ounces. It sets up on hiking poles and stakes with  
4 stakes though I didn't stake it when I used it under my tarp.

The Sandy River on Mt. Hood changed course big time since last year  
but the route is flagged and easy to follow. The Muddy Fork detour is  
in place on Mt. Hood. Go to Ramona Falls
 and follow the Ramona Falls  
trail paralleling the creek heading downstream until you see the  
detour signs. There is a log bridge over the Muddy Fork and a trail  
that connects in to the Bald Mountain part of the PCT. Once you're on  
the Ramona Falls trail past the falls, the detour is easy to find.  
There are dire handwritten warnings on the detour signs from other  
hikers warning not to take the old Timberline Trail #600 which has  
been severely damaged.

The Milk Creek washout in the Jefferson Wilderness isn't a big deal-  
it took me way less than 10 minutes to get down the 20-30 foot high,  
steep, rubble bank and I heard later that there is an easier spot  
than what I went down a bit up or down stream- sorry I can't remember  
which.

There is a trail angel (Okie Girl) at Lava Lake
 Campground on the  
Sisters side of the McKenzie Highway who is there to help out thru- 
hikers with rides to Sisters and back. Look for the sign at the PCT  
trail junction near the south side of the highway for directions to  
her camp.

Elk Lake Resort is under new management and is open from 7 AM - 7 PM.  
The food is great as are the people at the resort. They offer free  
showers to hikers and even provide soap, shampoo, and a big, clean  
fluffy towel!!! Everyone else pays $5 for it.

Don't miss the bruschetta at the Timberline pub restaurant that's on  
the mezzanine in the old lodge- fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and a  
basil sauce on toasted baguette with a side of grapes and carrots-  
absolute heaven!

That's about it. I'm heading for the Washington section tomorrow and  
will post an update
 when I get back around the 27th.

Happy trails!
Last Cookie
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