Erosion has washed out a segment of the PCT 2.9 miles south of Tehachapi Willow Springs Road where the trail crosses a natural drainage. The damage is at 35.03443, -118.38033. The damage is likely to block travel for some people, especially people on horses.
Photo from November 2022
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.”
The PCT has been washed out in a few short sections south of Sonora Pass on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. Areas of concern are located between FarOut mile 1011-1012. Passable for hikers, equestrians are not recommended.
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.
There are about 2 to 3 dozen trees (maybe more) between Walker Pass and Chimney creek. The majority and largest of the trees are between Spanish Creek and Chimney Creek from about mile 670 to 677. There are also a few difficult downfalls farther south between 657 and 662. I made it through with 2 equines but wouldn’t recommend it if you don’t have a good saw and some equines that are willing to jump obstacles.
A rockslide has been cleared from near mile 172.5 but the trail is still very narrow and equestrians should avoid this section.
Northbound travelers can exit via the Spitler Trail near mile 168.5 and take that west down the mountain to the trailhead and then walk Apple Canyon Road to the highway in order to exit. Equestrians and cautious hikers who are heading northbound should consider exiting the PCT via the Cedar Spring Trail (~mile 162.5) down to Morris Ranch Road.
For more, check with the San Jacinto Ranger District of San Bernardino National Forest.
Lots of fallen trees in this stretch of trail, including a particularly huge one just north of the boulder blast site from last summer.
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.