* For the last week of May and most of June 2024*
The ski area is in the process of replacing their Wildside Chairlift at Summit West and they will be working on setting towers. During this construction, there will be some need to blast some of the surface rock where the lift towers will be placed. As a safety protocol, when shots are being loaded and then executed – the trail and surrounding area will be temporarily closed for approximately 30 minutes each time they shoot. Please expect some temporary delays for access during this construction.
By: Jim Griffing
June 1st, 2023
A tree approximately 2′ in diameter is across the trail at Guthook mile 2468.9 Between the Hwy 2 Trailhead and the S fork of Nason Creek. Hikers can crawl under the tree, but stock would have difficulty getting around it.
In the fall of 2021, the Methow Valley Ranger District installed two permanent bear boxes for food storage near the Hart’s Pass Guard Station. The bear-proof boxes are located where the PCT crosses Forest Service Road 5400-700, about 100 feet down the 700 road from the Hart’s Pass Guard Station Cabin. The boxes are highly visible and easy to locate from the PCT. Proper food storage for bears at the trailhead and on the trails helps avoid conflicts, and keeps bears alive! Please use bear proof containers or hang food 12 feet high and 6 feet away from trees.
By: Michael Hanley
December 22nd, 2021
The Pacific Crest Trail in the Glacier Peak Wilderness is largely inaccessible to equestrian use due to significant numbers of large fallen logs.
The PCT between Baekos Creek (approximately Halfmile 2509) and the Suiattle River Trail (approximately Halfmile 2540) is blocked by numerous down trees, washouts, and narrow sections of tread. Long distance riders are advised to trailer around these obstacles.
Logs, some as large as 6 feet in diameter, make the trail impassable to equine north of Sitkum Creek and on the climb up towards Vista Ridge (~2534). There are no convenient ways to get around these obstacles.
By: Michael DeCramer
July 16th, 2021
The former bridge over Kennedy Creek at mile 2512 in the Glacier Peak Wilderness has fully washed away. There are no plans to replace it.
Trail users may find crossing Kennedy Creek without a bridge to be difficult. The creek can rise dramatically during periods of high snow melt and following storms. Kennedy Creek is also generally opaque from glacial sediment which can add to the challenge of fording this stream. It is not possible to know whether the large log upstream that has been used in the past will be there in the future.
Please use caution and locate a safe crossing or turn back if the water is too high. Learn more about stream crossing safety while hiking and backpacking.
Photo of the former bridge:
The Pacific Crest Trail at the top of the Goat Rocks Wilderness may be dangerous and is impassable for stock travel. The problems are not new. The trail across the Packwood Glacier, the Knife’s Edge and past Rooster’s Comb can be steep and narrow and it passes by steep cliffs. Tragically, stock have fallen off the edge in the past.
Historically, it’s been a very hard portion of trail to keep passable for stock. Substantial work was done in 2013 to improve the Packwood Glacier portion but dangers remain, especially near Rooster’s Comb. Many horseback riders and stock trains report that they won’t even attempt this portion and instead trailer around it.