[pct-l] Chinook Pass to Snoqualmie Pass: How ugly is it?

[Craig Giffen]

From my view, north of Crystal Mountain to Snoqualimie Pass is still the worst part of the entire PCT.  I haven't been up there for a few years but the parts that are not trees are thick brush 15 feet high.

I took this photo on the PCT about 15 years ago, this is just one of many.  That whole area is just depressing.
http://12xu.com/pct/logging/sp05.jpg

If you can swing the rides I would suggest maybe hiking from White Pass to Crystal Mountain.  Granted, it is shorter, but that whole section of trail is really nice. 

Craig




On Jul 12, 2012, at 10:00 AM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:

> Subject: [pct-l] Chinook Pass to Snoqualmie Pass: How ugly is it?
> To: Pacific Crest Trail List <pct-l at mailman.backcountry.net>
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> 
> Some friends and I are considering hiking the northern part of WA Section
> I, from Chinook Pass (Hwy 410) to Snoqualmie Pass (I-90). Then I read the
> Wilderness Press description, which makes it sound like a battle zone where
> you're lucky to find a standing tree, particularly in the last 40 miles or
> so south of Snoqualmie. That was written several years ago, of course, and
> I know that some timber activities have subsequently ceased and the trail
> re-routed in some places.
> 
> So to those of you who've hiked the area recently (i.e., in the last couple
> of years): If you had only a week to hike this year, would you even
> consider going to this industrial wasteland? Or is it better now?
> 
> (How did we pick this section for consideration? Easy transportation from
> friends in the area--but they don't know backcountry conditions.)
> 
> Thanks,
> Carl
> 1977 Kelty Kid