From approximately mile 1950 to 1970, many many trees across the trail. Somes needing downhill off trail hiking to get around and many very large that had to be crawled under or over.
The trail is still blocked to Equestrian and Stock, in the section 3/10 of a mile South of Buck Peak. Saw crews from both the Mt Hood Chapter and the Mt Hood National Forest have made progress in clearing the blowdowns from the September 2020 winds. There are about 6 logs blocking the trail, but hikers can still climb over or crawl under
August 9 update: National Park Service crews along with Northwest Youth Corps are about 2/3 done with clearing down trees in the park and they are still working. Thank you!
Within Crater Lake NP, from about mile 1,824 at Dutton Creek to mile 1,849 at OR Highway 138, the PCT is all but obliterated by layers of fallen trees that look like they hadn’t been cleared for at least two years. With only 150- or 200-yard islands of open trail here and there, our pace was cut in half and took double the normal effort. By contrast, all the trails in neighboring Umpqua NF were in great shape. Crater Lake NP needs to give the PCT a little higher priority when it comes to maintenance.
As of June 17, 2023 there are 123 downed trees between Lolo Pass (2115.2) and Whatum Lake (2131.3) and another 325 downed trees between Whatum Lake and Teakettle Spring (2140.0). The latter is designated wilderness in a burned area such that log out must be via hand tools only. Hikers can scramble over, under or around. Not passable to equestrians
Dyatripper
June 17/18: Lots of snow still on the trail from Irish Taylor until about 2 miles south of Elk Lake Trail. Bare trail in some stretches, but much of it covered with crusty drifted snow. Very hard hiking. Frequent post-holing. Drifts up to 6 ft high. Constantly going up drifts and back down. Very difficult trail finding. GPS /trail app a must. Not a place for casual hikers right now.
We encountered significant blowdown that forced us to turn around during our day hike. The main area of concern is north of Howard Prairie Lake, near mile 1761.
We also turned around at a large blowdown at mile 1776 on Brown Mountain. There is a large log south of that that is also difficult to get past and needs to be crawled under or go around off trail.
Fallen trees present hazards trailwide, including on Mount Hood. Please see this article detailing an incident where a horse fell ~200 feet near Zig Zag Canyon while trying to cross a log.
https://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/2022/08/a-healing-miracle-after-a-horse-falls-200-feet-near-timberline-lodge.html
“As Mandt walked in front of Oriana on the steep, crumbling trail, she led the horse by a rope and encouraged the horse to weave between the fallen trees.
That’s when a stirrup on the horse’s saddle caught a log. Oriana lost her balance, then struggled to get her feet under her, tipping over.”
Approximately 76 downfall passable to hikers but many not to stock,4″ to 16″ diameter, most less than 12″ diameter, substantial brush causing tread creep issues within 2-3 mi of Milk Creek. Tread collapse at 2019? avalanche site where large boulders supporting tread have slipped and aluminum culverts presumably draining slope have clogged and are exposed causing tread drainage issues. Apparently this PCT segment has not been maintained for a few years, though it’s current condition is not as severe as the connecting (feeder) trails 3440.
I’m an experienced FS Trail construction and maintenance volunteer and previously FS-certified class B crosscut bucker and licenced civil engineer. I am signed up with PCTA for logout of Jefferson Park and Park Ridge and have previously volunteered to maintain the segment of PCT of this report.