[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
[pct-l] Glacier Peak bypass
Thanks for the explanation. You won't hear any more
complaints about wide swaths out of me.
I did some "maintain as you hike" type maintenance
(clear small limbs and rocks) during last year's trip.
I would certainly do more if I lived near the trail
(I am in Ohio). So I have tried to to help out by
supporting the PCTA for several years.
Jeff
--- dsaufley@sprynet.com wrote:
> 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
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > pct-l mailing list
> > pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
> > unsubscribe or change options:
> > http://mailman.hack.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
> >
>
>
>
>
> __________________________________
> Do you Yahoo!?
> Read only the mail you want - Yahoo! Mail SpamGuard.
>
> http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail
> _______________________________________________
> pct-l mailing list
> pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
> unsubscribe or change options:
> http://mailman.hack.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
>
>
__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Read only the mail you want - Yahoo! Mail SpamGuard.
http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail