Section C/D:
The areas I’m reporting are within a mile or so of the McDonald’s. On the south east side of the 15. There is a section of the PCT that is also locally known as the camp Cajon Kauder Creek Trail. Several sections of this trail have washout areas with rock debris which make it difficult to cross.
Thanks
11/21/22
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.
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.
PCTA Mount Hood Chapter logouts and efforts by all have greatly improved the trail after significant windstorm damage around Mt Hood. The section near Buck Peak, (TR#615 – 3/4 mile South, to 3 miles North) has not been cleared. It’s not as bad as the other areas were, but still not passible for stock.
The areas around the Zigzag Canyon and Little Zigzag Canyon are not yet to the point where they are stock friendly. Getting in and out of these two canyons requires some tricky equestrian skills to get up and down the steep backs and around the rocks.