Pacific Crest Trail Detour in Washington  
  As many of our readers already know, flooding in October 2003 heavily damaged the Pacific Crest Trail, in the vicinity of Glacier Peak in the Darrington Ranger District of the Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Washington (guidebook section K). Specifically, seven major trail bridges were destroyed and sections of the trail were severely damaged by mudslides. As a result of this damage, 45 miles of the PCT in this area are impassable and dangerous for even the most experienced hikers and stock. The recommended 50-mile detour is described here and a map and elevation profile of the area is provided via this link.

Mike Dawson, PCTA Trail Operations Director, met with a team of federal employees representing the Okanogan-Wenatchee, Mt Baker Snoqualmie National Forests and the North Cascades National Park to help devise this detour. The Forest Service has already started diverting FY 2004 funds from other projects to assure that critical damage assessment and design work is completed in the coming season and that the interim detour is well-publicized and signed as soon as weather permits. Additionally, this past March, PCTA staff and volunteer leaders went to Washington, DC, (as part of Hike the Hill Advocacy Week) and talked to more than 30 elected officials -- asking them to support funding for the PCT including $4.2 million for this storm damaged area. Washington Trails Association staff was also in attendance and made additional visits to elected officials to further support this request.

Work will begin this summer but the PCT detour may be required for several years. Please note, the trails along the detour are not constructed and maintained to the same high standard as the PCT. Users can expect high fords until mid-August, and trail sections that are steep, rough, brushy, and difficult to follow. These trails require a high skill level

Trail users can obtain free Forest Service-prepared materials detailing the PCT detour (including trail descriptions, maps and an elevation profile of the area) from ranger stations in the Mt Baker-Snoqualmie and Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forests or via this link.. Additionally, copies of the detour materials will be available at several other locations along the trail.

The detour will be signed at relevant trailheads and junctions approaching the damaged area. The PCTA currently is recruiting strong hiking volunteers to help maintain signs along the temporary route, trailheads and trail intersections as soon as the snow begins to melt and the trail becomes accessible. If you would be interested in helping, please contact PCTA Trail Operations Director, Mike Dawson at Trail Ops or 916-285-1846.

Those looking for a detailed map of the area of the detour should obtain the Glacier Peak Wilderness, North Cascade Range, Washington color topo map (provisional edition 1997, Geo-Graphics). The map is available from the Northwest Interpretive Association. Print an order form from www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/maps/nwia.shtml Allow 3 to 4 weeks for delivery.

Detour Specifics (South to North):

Depart the PCT at Indian Pass, and take the Indian Creek Trail #1503 (11 miles) to White River Trailhead. Brushing is scheduled for this area in 2004.

Take the White River Trail #1507 (4 miles) to the Boulder Creek junction.

Boulder Creek Trail #1563 (9 miles up and over Boulder Pass) to the Little Giant Junction (in the Napeequa Valley). The trail gains 3,500 feet to Boulder Pass and there are some steep sections with loose rock on the descent into the Napeequa Valley. The ford of the Napeequa River is impassable in the early season and can be higher during the afternoon on hot days due to glacial runoff.

Little Giant Trail #1518 (8.5 miles) to Chiwawa Road 6200. This is the most difficult section of the detour. Climbing out of the Napeequa is steep, rocky, and rough. Fording the Chiwawa River is impassable until early to mid-August.

Chiwawa River Road 6200 (3.5 miles) to road end at Trinity. This is a dirt road with traffic, especially on weekends. Be alert.

Buck Creek Trail #1513 (9.5 miles) to Buck Creek Pass/Buck Creek Pass Trail #789. Please respect private property at Trinity by staying on the trail as you pass through.

Buck Creek Pass Trail #789 (5 miles) to the PCT near Suiattle pass. This stretch is rough in places.

Note: The Boulder Pass/Little Giant portion of this detour is not recommended for stock users. Instead, stock users are advised to trailer between Steven's Pass and the Buck Creek trailhead. For more information about stock and the PCT detour as well details about possible stock trailer shuttle services, contact the Leavenworth or Lake Wenatchee Ranger districts at (509) 548-6977 or (509) 763-3101, respectively