[pct-l] Washington Section K - PCT vs Detour

[Diane at Santa Barbara Hikes dot com]

I spoke to two southbounders at White Pass. I can't exactly recall  
what they said was the reason they did not make it through the  
detour. Either they said that the detour had a detour of its own or  
else the route they were expected to follow was impassable. In either  
case, they had heard from others to follow a route that led them into  
thickets of willows or alders or whatever that stuff is through which  
they thrashed for miles and miles before giving up. They somehow made  
it to Trinity and rather than road walk, they called for a ride. They  
were disappointed they had chosen this route and strongly suggested  
we did not do the same.

All accounts I was hearing indicated there was this awful willow  
section to bushwhack so it was not the case that they were lost.  
Additionally, the good trail was often overgrown to the point where  
only your feet could "see" the trail. There were also at least two  
bridgeless dangerous rivers to cross. After slogging through wet  
brush through Washington's second section and facing a choice between  
more of that plus a detour that offered all the downsides of the main  
route, I chose the main route. I was very happy with my choice.

I had also heard that the detour was beautiful country. But that's  
what 10 day trips are for. If you are hiking the PCT and there is a  
detour that isn't better, it makes more sense to stay on the PCT.  
Come back in the future to see Little Giant Pass and the Shangri La  
of the Cascades.

Diane
On May 12, 2010, at 12:07 AM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:

> Washington Section K - PCT vs Detour

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~ Adventure and Magic
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