[pct-l] Short closure in section J - reroute information

[Tom Griffin]

We interrupt the Amy Sutherland debate to give you information about an 
actual PCT topic...

By the time the "herd" has arrived in my beloved Washington, it is 
likely that this section  (J)  of the PCT will be open. For anyone 
coming sooner than September and considering the two hiker detour 
alternatives, let me warn you about the Mineral Creek Trail on Detour A. 
I've hiked it several times and it is NOT the PCT. It is covered in 
brush for at least two-thirds of the trail, making it somewhat 
dangerous. There were many, many times that I could not see my foot as I 
took my next step, making it prime ankle-twisting territory. And I was 
on a day hike, not carrying a 30-pound pack. I would urge anyone 
considering these alternatives to choose Detour B, the Snow Lake Trail 
to the Rock Creek Trail to the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River and 
then over Dutch Miller Gap. As a bonus, you can try to book some time at 
Goldmeyer Hot Springs along the way:

http://www.goldmyer.org

By the way, this PCT section in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness is 
astonishingly beautiful. Here is my trip report from 2004 in case anyone 
is interested:

http://staff.washington.edu/griffin/pct2004/index.html

Tom "Bullfrog" Griffin
Seattle

>Date: Tue, 15 Jun 2010 09:20:36 -0700
>From: Darren Bagnall <darren.bagnall at yahoo.com>
>Subject: [pct-l] Short closure in section J - reroute information
>
>http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report.2010-06-14.6358481463
>
>Due to damage from the 2009 Lemah Fire, an emergency closure of the Pacific Crest Trail 2000.6 has been issued for public safety until further notice. The Pacific Crest Trail is now closed to public use from the Mineral Creek Trail 1331 to the Lemah Meadows Trail 1323.2. Two detour options exist for hikers and a third detour route is available for stock users. Repairs will begin in late July 2010. 
>
>We're listing the detour route descriptions in full here so that they can be easily available to hikers online. 
>
>Detour A: This detour limits the distance travelled off of the Pacific Crest Trail and allows for access to Park Lakes Basin. Detour route is described south to north. 
>
>*At the junction of the Mineral Creek Trail 1331 with the Pacific Crest Trail, descend the Mineral Creek Trail for 5 miles to the Trailhead Forest Service Road 4600. 
>*Head east on Road 4600 for approximately 5 miles to the junction with Forest Service Road 4616. 
>*Continue westerly on the Pete Lake Trail 1323 for 5 miles to the junction of the Lemah Meadows Trail 1323.2. 
>*Take the Lemah Meadows Trail 1323.2 to the junction of the Pacific Crest Trail 2000.6 and the northern terminus of the detour route. 
>
>Detour B: This detour limits the amount of travel on Forest Service System Roads. Detour Route is described south to north. 
>
>*At Snoqualmie Pass, head north on Forest Service Road 9040 for approx 1 mile to the Snow Lake Trailhead. 
>*Take the Snow Lake Trail 1013 approximately 3 miles to the junction of the Rock Creek Trail 1013.1. 
>*Descend the Rock Creek Trail 1013.1 for 3 miles to the junction of the Middle Fork Trail 1003. 
>*Turn right on the Middle Fork Trail 1003 heading eastward for approximately 5 miles to its terminus at the junction of the Dutch Miller Gap Trail 1030. 
>*Continue right, eastward, on the Dutch Miller Gap Trail 1030 for approximately 7 miles to Dutch Miller Gap. 
>*At Dutch Miller Gap, Trail 1030 becomes the Dutch Miller Gap Trail 1362 on the Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest. 
>*Descend Dutch Miller Gap Trail 1362 4 miles to the junction with the Pacific Crest Trail 2000.6 and the terminus of the reroute. 
>
>Detour C: All stock users must use the following detour. Stock Users must trailer between Snoqualmie Pass and the Pete Lake Trailhead. Dayriding is permitted to Ridge Lake. Stock travel is highly discouraged beyond Ridge Lake to Park Lakes Basin due to hazardous trail conditions. 
>
>*From Snoqualmie Pass, travel east on Interstate 90 to Exit 80 ?Salmon La Sac and Roslyn?. 
>*Turn left at exit and travel for 4 miles to State Route 903. 
>*Travel north on State Route 903 for approx. 16 miles to FS Road 46. 
>*Turn left onto FS Road 46 and follow signs approx. 6 miles to the Pete Lake Trailhead. 
>*Take the Pete Lake Trail #1323 for 5 miles to the junction of the Lemah Meadows Trail # 1323.2. 
>*Take the Lemah Meadows Trail #1323.2 to the junction of the Pacific Crest Trail #2000.6 and the northern terminus of the detour route. 
>
>If you have any questions concerning this detour, contact the Cle Elum Ranger District.  
>
>  
>