[pct-l] Glacier Peak bypass

[dsaufley at sprynet.com (dsaufley@sprynet.com)]

You are so very right.  And that's just the brush maintenance -- there's also fires, blowdowns, landslides, flooding, and erosion to contend with.  There simply would not be a trail without the work of those who maintain it.  I'm in awe of, and deeply grateful for what they do.  

-=Donna Saufley=-

-----Original Message-----
From: eyakel@earthlink.net
Sent: Jan 24, 2005 4:55 PM
To: dsaufley@sprynet.com, j rhoades <yawho_hiker@yahoo.com>, 
	Judson Brown <judson@jeffnet.org>, 
	"pctl (E-mail)" <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Glacier Peak bypass

Thank you Donna for your insights.  The small section of trail that I sponsor through the PCTA and Forest Service near my home in Chihuahua Valley is 7 miles long.  In 2001 or 2002 Pete and his crew did a significant part of this small section.  The trail width was cut at about 10-12 feet.  It is now only 2005 and we have had drought years until this year.  In spite of limited liquid refreshment the chaparral in this section has reclaimed all but about 1-2 feet of trail tread.  AFter this years rain, I believe that small trail tread will be overgrown also.  Pete mentioned that they attempt to get back to each area about every 4-5 years.  Without the help of these trail gorillas, there would be no trail to hike in much of southern california.   Eric Yakel

-----Original Message-----
From: dsaufley@sprynet.com
Sent: Jan 24, 2005 12:50 PM
To: j rhoades <yawho_hiker@yahoo.com>, Judson Brown <judson@jeffnet.org>, 
	"pctl (E-mail)" <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Glacier Peak bypass

A quick comment on the width of the swath cut for the trail.  I had the privilege of working with Pete Fish's trail crew a few times this past year (and looking forward to doing more of the same going forward).  Given the small number of volunteers and professionals that do trail work, and the vast number of miles that they must keep clear and maintained, (and this I'm sure goes for any trail, anywhere) trail workers can't get back to each section each year to manicure the vegetation to be "just right." Consequently, to make it last until they can get there again, they have to whack it way, way back, or the trail will be swallowed back up within a year or two.

Last year, I worked (read, tried to keep up) with the crew in Hauser Canyon (during the ADZ).  We were cutting and throwing brush in a section they'd worked just the year before.  Already, the width of the branches of the new growth was a thick as the branches that had been cut the year before.  It's utterly amazing how fast and thick the underbrush grows.  This same crew (and some wonderful thru-hiker volunteers) did work up on the Sierra Pelona ridgeline, above Agua Dulce.  They aren't scheduled to come back to this section for years; so what they did has to last -- so it has to be extreme.

What's even more amazing is the amount of ground the trail crews have to cover -- Pete's crew of volunteers covers the first 750 miles of the PCT.  And, at least with Pete's crew, some of these folks are old enough to be your grandparents, and they're out there working their tails off (working much younger folks into the ground to boot!).  

How about  all those out there suffering with cabin-fever and miss-the-trail-itis, to find a way to help the trail crews, either physically or monetarily, this year?  The heavy storms, after drought and fires, have done a lot of damage, and any and all help would be welcomed!  Contact the PCTA to find the crew near you.

-=Donna Saufley=-


-----Original Message-----
From: j rhoades <yawho_hiker@yahoo.com>
Sent: Jan 24, 2005 11:55 AM
To: Judson Brown <judson@jeffnet.org>, 
	"pctl (E-mail)" <pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Glacier Peak bypass

I took the official detour.    The first part of that
route was probably the worst. Although you could see a
"trail" it was a giant mudhole for  awhile.  Later it
went away from Indian creek and I wasn't sure if I was
on the right path.  

By the time I got  to the lower part of Indian creek
it was quite scenic with lots of yellow fall color.  
My only complaint was that when they cut the brush and
trees to clear the trail they made such a wide swath
that you could have moved a double wide trailer
through there.  Maybe they were making a fire break at
the same time as I saw that kind of wide cutting on
other parts of the PCT and the only thing that could
explain it was someone wanted a firebreak.

But back to the deour:  Hiking up to Boulder Pass and
down into the Napeequa River was beautiful.  I didn't
have hiking poles and I couldn't see how deep the
river was so I picked up some sturdy sticks laying
around in case the crossing was rough.

It was a little over knee-high on me (23 inches/59
cm).  I had no problem but the cold water numbed my
lower legs so I kept moving to warm them up.  (This
was mid October after some rainy days)

The trail is flat for a little while on the other side
of the river and then starts going very very steeply
up to Little Giant Pass.  I could see where I needed
to go but I won't use the word "trail" (well maybe
animal trail)  for this part.  From the top I remember
the trail getting much better and then varying in
quality down to Chiwawa River Road.  The Chiwawa River
was wide and cold but not very deep and was easily
crossed.

>From Chiwawa River the trail was in good condition. 
Buck Creek Pass was beautiful but I didn't linger
bacause it was snowy and cold.

So, I can say the official detour is beautiful and I
would do it again rather than do any road walking. 
The phlumf route also includes the Napeequa River
Valley (and maybe more of it) but you don't get the
pleasure of scrambling up to Little Giant Pass.   

Jeff

--- Judson Brown <judson@jeffnet.org> wrote:

> I'm curious to hear the reviews after the first
> season of hikers doing the
> bypass around Glacier Peak. I noticed on Yogi's
> website that there are 2
> possibilities: the official Forest Service detour,
> and another suggested by
> Jonathan at http://www.phlumf.com/pct/pctalt.htm. I
> would love to here some
> feedback on either or both of these routes. Is the
> bushwacking on Jonathan's
> route as intimidating as it sounds?
> 
> Judson
> Ashland
> 
> 
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