[pct-l] Re: Washington Detour Info.

[marge at prothman.org (Marge Prothman)]

Thanks for your email regarding the road walk from Steven's Pass.  I do have
some questions.
When you turned of the hiway at the 59er Diner at Coles corner.

You turned left and walked 4 miles north on Rt. 207 to Parkside Grocery.
There was some possible camping on Rt. 207 or FS 62. 

Turn right on Chiwawa Loop Rd for 1 mile. Halfway along is an RV Park with a
tiny store.

Turn left on Chiwawa River Rd. 25 miles?? to Trinity.  After about 14 miles
there are campgrounds every 1- 2 miles.

The Buck Creek Trail/Middle Ridges Trail is a long, reasonably maintained
climb. How long is this section before you get back on the PCT?

I am assuming that the roads are all signed, correct?
I am assuming the Buck Creek Trail/Middle Ridges Trail is signed, correct?
Exactly where in the guide book does this put you back on the PCT?

Please correct me on anything I have written incorrectly. I am planning on
doing this section late June or early July
Thanks,
Marge (the old gal)



-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces@mailman.backcountry.net
[mailto:pct-l-bounces@mailman.backcountry.net] On Behalf Of Sheila Pearson
Sent: Sunday, March 27, 2005 12:19 PM
To: pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
Subject: [pct-l] Re: Washington Detour Info.

We opted to take the equestrian route (road walk) due to the hair-raising
accounts we read at the Dinsmore's River Haven about the hiker re-route.
Until we got to the Trinity Trailhead, we were on paved or dirt road
surfaces. Easy walking, but tough on the feet. The Bucks Creek Pass Trail
would have probably been just fine to hike on if it wasn't a mess from the
rain, but we were cursing most every muddy, sloppy, slippery step.  Someone
had lost a horse up there a few days earlier and a 'posse' was ahead of us
looking for it so that churned the trail up a bit more too. From Bucks Creek
Pass back to the PCT was better hiking even though it had snowed.  If you're
hiking in relatively good weather the trail shouldn't be as bad.
 
We know that Johobe didn't take either detour.  He hiked the PCT the entire
way.  He told us that of the 7 fords he only got wet on 2 and that as long
as he carefully chose his crossing spot it wasn't a problem.  This was in
October.  Not sure how fast and furious those crossing are earlier in the
year.
 
We also talked to another thru-hiker who took the hiker detour (sorry, can't
remember his name now).  He said it was pretty steep in some spots (walk a
few hundred feet, stop and breathe, walk a few hundred feet, stop and breath
kind of steep) and there was quite a bit of bushwhacking to get through.  He
felt it wasn't a problem as long as it wasn't raining and told us if it was
raining when it came time to make the decision that the equestrian route
might be better.
 
We also talked to a couple of day hikers who hiked the Glacier Peak area
often and knew about the detour.  They were the first to let us know that
the trails might not be maintained and that it could make for some tough
hiking.  We assume that by the time the 2005 hikers arrive in the area, the
detour will be in much better shape. We knew there were crews out there
clearing the way last year, but it takes some time to get unmaintained
trails back into shape.
 
All but our own experience on the equestrian route is heresay, so take it
for what it's worth.
 
Start Slow & Taper Off

		
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