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.
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.