[pct-l] Fire At Snoqualmie Pass, Better ReRoute Instructions

[JeremyWeaver at softhome.net]

There was a fire closure for the Alpine Lakes area when I got to the pass a
couple of days back. There is an official re route for the first 25 miles of 
the PCT but Gadget posted on the PCT-L a more scenic and true trail route. 
This is the Gadget Re-route confirmed and with a little more detail. 

Mile 0.0 - Leave the Summit Lodge, walk the road northwest under the freeway 
bridge. After the bridge, to the right, you will come to the official PCT 
and next the road that leads to the PCT trail head, pass both of those. Take 
the second road to the right with the sign that states 'Snow Lake 1.2 
miles'. Keep on the road and take in the scenic Alpental Village.
Mile 1.5 - The road ends at the Snow Lake trail head, you will find the 
trail at the north of the parking lot. You can take a picture at the 
registry post of the map that covers half the trail. This map is the best I 
could find of the area available near by. You will not need any maps for 
this re-route! Head up the trail to the lake. There are drainage stream from 
the lake on trail.
Mile 3.2 - Trail junction; take the switchback up the hill and to the right, 
dodging day hikers. Find more streams along the way.
Mile 4.9 - Follow the signs that state 'Main Trail' around the east end of 
Snow Lake. Trail junction; take a right to 'Middle Fork Road', this is the 
'Rock Creek Trail'. You are at 4,300ish and will drop to 1,600ish. The first 
part of the decline are overgrown and a bit sketch, but the view is great. 
When you get closer to the creek the trail will widen and provide good water 
flowing down to the creek.
Mile 8.7 - After the drop you will come to better trail. Trail Junction; 
Take a right and head east to the 'Middle Fork Trailhead'. There is good 
water every half mile or so, you will cross a bunch of creeks going up and 
down but keep your elevation.
Mile 11.1 - Trail junction; follow left to the 'Middle Fork Road'. The 
Goldmyer Hotsprings are run by a nice young couple, beer and naked welcome. 
Cost is $15 for the whole day and you got to pack it out. In a couple of 
minutes you will come to another chance for the springs but keep on straight 
at the four-way and cross the bridge to the left 100 feet ahead.
Mile 11.5 - After the bridge a road will appear, continue up this road to 
closed FS #56 road. Make a right almost a complete switchback that will send 
you northwest with a small incline. There was water flowing across the road 
or in the ditch every ten minute.
Mile 14.5 - You will come to where the 'Middle Fork Trail' ends at the right 
side of the road, do not leave the road until it ends.
Mile 14.8 - Finally the road ends at the 'Dutch Miller Gap Trailhead' Follow 
the 'Main Trail' sign to the back end of the camp area where the trail 
begins. Get ready for some of the best designed but little used trail you 
will ever see.
There will be water access every two mile or so. Gain elevation.
Mile 21.8 - Trail junction; Take a right to 'Dutch Miller Gap', you will see 
that this was the PCT back in the day. Start making that climb back up to 
5000ish with old school switchback.
Mile 23.4 - Come to lake 'Lake Ivanhoe' after a small drop. There will be a
spilt in the trail for the lake loop, stay to the right. Walk around the 
lake and cross the damaged bridge over the lake drainage to end the loop 
trail. You will cross that drainage a couple more times but end up on the 
south side ridge, right of the water. There will be no water on the descend 
to 3000ish.
Mile 26.4 - Trail junction; head right in the direction of 'PCT 1/2'. when 
you get to the PCT mile 2438.something, take a left to 'Waltus Lake'. 

This information may be wrong or change as the weather does. Give all thanks 
to Gadget on the PCT-L and all blame to me, but remember that if you get 
lost or brake and ankle it's your own damn fault. Happy Trails - Avo MEX-CAN 
09