Fw: [pct-l] We're hiking Washington PCT this year

[goforth at cnw.com (Joanne Lennox)]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Joanne Lennox" <goforth@cnw.com>
To: "Laraine Downer" <laraine@sbcglobal.net>
Sent: Saturday, June 05, 2004 1:07 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] We're hiking Washington PCT this year


> Hi, I and Hopi met you last year just North of Elk Lake.  I think you will
> like Washington.
>
> Last year I did Oregon, Washington and CA down to Scott summit.  I started
> south from Road 23 just south of Mt Adams on July 16.  I did not hit real
> snow until I got to Mt Jefferson in Oregon.  There were patches of snow in
> the Indian Heaven ridges.  (I strongly suggest that you do not camp near
the
> lakes at Indian Heaven as the mosquites were for me the worst on the whole
> PCT).
>
> You first real problem will likely be at the goat rocks - under snow,
> possibly steep and icey.  If you go that early I would recommend an ice ax
> and know how to use it.
>
> The next problem will be above Crystal Mountain and the ridges that run
> between Chinook Pass and Big Crow, Little Crow Basin all the way to
> Lousianna Saddle.  These are high ridges that keep the snow in places, and
> the trail wanders along steep pitches in places.  The section betweem Bear
> Gap and Scout Pass might be particularily impassable.  If so you can
> backtrack and take a trail that goes from Bear Gap descending to Crystal
> Mountain Ski Area which has a motel and sometimes food( Bill Gallion is
the
> packer there and he runs a night barbeque and knows the area ).
>
> There is a steep section of rough trail, north of snoqualmie for about 2
> days (the 36 miles between commonweath basin to the Waptus river). These
> ridges go above 6,000 feet and the trail runs over steep sections on the
> north side of the ridges - there is likely to be sizeable snow patches
along
> the ridges in the trees and on the north side.
>
> After this the trail is more easterly , and there has been less snow on
the
> east slopes of the cascades (There was new snow on the west side above
6,000
> feet here three days ago).  Who knows what the new detour holds.  If you
> have worked it out by then, you should have no trouble.
>
> There is traffic on Road 23 into trout lake, you should be able to get a
> ride on the week end; week day traffic is there but spotty.
>
> I saw 5 parties in two days hiking the PCT north , and who planned to hike
> the whole state.  so you might have some company.
>
> Good Luck, Goforth
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Laraine Downer" <laraine@sbcglobal.net>
> To: <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
> Cc: "Melouise Pfeffer" <emel@sonic.net>
> Sent: Saturday, June 05, 2004 12:33 PM
> Subject: [pct-l] We're hiking Washington PCT this year
>
>
> > Hello to all from Laraine (Ladeda) and Melouise (Pell Mell): We're
> planning on hiking Washington this year beginning July 12th at Cascade
Locks
> and heading north!  We'll take the alternate route thru Carson to Panther
> Creek c.g. (seems only sensible). Have a couple of questions we'd
appreciate
> feedback on:
> >
> > 1.  We know this is a little early starting but are limited to being
home
> before 8/20 - we'll definitely check on trail conditions before starting &
> be prepared to skip around if necessary - any thoughts on snow
conditions -
> shall we bring an ice axe?
> >
> > 2.  What's everyone using for water treating/filtering these days? In
2000
> on my attempted thru-hike I used the Safewater Anywhere inline filter but
> that doesn't seem to be available now.
> >
> > 3.  Does it make sense to hitch out to Trout Lake? Is there much traffic
> on that road?
> >
> > It's good to be back on the list, I have some hiker friends from 2000 on
> trail again this year (Nacona, Aussie Crawl, etc.). Sorry I wasn't able to
> come to ADZPCTKOP this year but I'm doing a "mental thru-hike" now (just
> finished my first year of college at ripe old age of 62 - planning on
> getting a BA, loving it except it cuts into my hiking time).
> >
> > Regards to all .....
> > and, GO TAKE A HIKE!
> > Ladeda (PCT 2000 solo Campo to Sierra City, Pell Mell & I finished
> California '02, hiked Oregon '03 - we're getting there!!!)
> > _______________________________________________
> > pct-l mailing list
> > pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
> > unsubscribe or change options:
> > http://mailman.hack.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
> >
> >
>