North Fork Sauk Trail Closed Access to Glacier Peak Wilderness Blocked Everett, Wash. Aug. 26, 2010—Construction will close North Fork Sauk Trail #649 Aug. 31 through noon Sept. 3 at Mackinaw Shelter, milepost 5, to the Pacific Crest Trail junction at milepost 9. Hikers can access Glacier Peak Wilderness from the North Fork Skykomish Trail #1051. Call Darrington Ranger District for more information at 360-436-1155. For updated information about trails and roads, go to alerts and conditions at http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/.

Attempting a Sobo Hike: From Rainy Pass to Stehekin was mostly snow free and easy hiking. Once we reached Stehekin we had to bail out due to high snow levels and avalanche warnings in the Glacier Peaks Wilderness.
All second hand information, but from Hemlock Camp north is still very snow logged. GPS and winter mountaineering skills advised.

Heavy late spring snowfall last week combined with expected sunshine and warm weather at high elevations will create the very dangerous conditions this weekend, especially in terrain above 8,000 feet on volcanoes. Hikers should particularly avoid Mt. Hood, Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams, Mt. St. Helens, Glacier Peak and Mt. Baker. “It is dangerous now, but we expect it to get worse this weekend with the warm temperatures and highest freezing levels since last summer,” said Kenny Kramer, avalanche meteorologist

Six of the seven bridges that were destroyed in flood events over the last several years in the Glacier Peak Wilderness have been reconstructed. The last remaining bridge, gapping the Suiattle River, is slated for installation in mid July 2010, weather permitting. The new bridge site has been moved about 3 miles west of its original location. The 3 miles of trail leading up to the bridge is also planned for construction in 2010 by a Forest Service trail crew with the support of the Backcountry Horsemen of Washington and The PCTA. The PCT has not been thoroughly maintained for several years due to lack of access. Trail crews will be on the ground all summer with hopes to bring the Trail up to standard before the season is over. Therefore, the reroute is still in effect for the 2010 hiking season, with hopes of opening the original route for the 2011 hiking season. The Forest Service will continue to log out the Temporary Detour throughout the closure period and was able to brush particularly bad sections in2009. The trails along the detour route are not constructed and maintained to the same high standard as the PCT. Users can expect high fords until mid August, and trail sections that are steep, rough, brushy, and difficult to follow. These trails require a higher skill level for hikers. Stock users are advised to trailer between Steven’s Pass and the Buck Creek trailheads. Transportation options will be posted here when they become available. The sections of the detour going from Boulder Pass to the Chiwawa River Road included very poor, narrow tread on exposed side hills and would be considered impassible by most stock users. Please visit http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/wenatchee/conditions/pct/ for more information.

Lightning Storms Ignite More Fires on Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Everett, Wa. July 30, 2009 — A lightning storm rolled through the north Cascades yesterday, igniting approximately 30 more fires on the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The additional fires range in size from a single tree to two acres. Forest Service and Department of Natural Resources are staffing the fires with engines, rappellers, smokejumpers and hand crews. “We are taking action first on fires that are a threat to public safety. Our primary focus is public and firefighter safety,” said Tony Engel, fire management officer for the forest. Fires that are not staffed are being monitored. Engel said the situation is unfolding, "We identified a number of new starts immediately after the storm cells passed and we expect to continue to identify hold-over fires." Hold-over fires can linger undetected for several days after a lightning storm. Unlike the lighter fuels east of the mountains, heavy west-side fuels can harbor fire for longer periods of time. On the east side fine fuels ignite quickly and burn fast. “It is common to detect fires on the forest weeks after a lightning event,” Engel said. Six fires have been detected in Mt. Baker District, within Whatcom and Skagit County; 10 in Darrington Ranger District, within Skagit and Snohomish Counties; eight in Skykomish Ranger District, within Snohomish and King Counties; and, five in Snoqualmie Ranger District within Pierce and King Counties. Along with the new fires, more than 50 have been detected throughout the forest. “Detection is ongoing, and we expect to have additional fires,” Engel said. “We encourage the public to be careful with fire and report what they see.” Report fires on the state wildland fire hotline at 800-562-6010.

The Shull Ridge Fire is burning near Shull Mountain in the Pasayten Wilderness northwest of Mazama.
The fire, first located July 17, is estimated to be about eight miles south of the international border between Canada and the United States and less than 100 acres in size
Because of the weather forecast, fire officials have put a temporary closure in place on the Pacific Crest Trail. The closure is from Holman north and includes portions of some trails that feed into the Pacific Crest Trail.
The length of the closure depends on the weather and the fire behavior. Once this weather system moves through we are hopeful that the trail can be re-opened right away
A wilderness ranger stationed in the Oregon Basin/Holman area is notifying hikers about the fire and the closure.

A temporary trail closure has been lifted for the Pacific Crest Trail in north-central Washington. A wildfire in the Pasayten Wilderness, about eight miles south of the U.S.-Canadian border, forced the National Park Service to close parts of the area. But park officials say fire growth has been limited, despite strong winds and hot, dry weather.

Snow is very heavy through this section. Started the 24th and headed southbound to Highway two at Stevens Pass. 80% of the time strictly following topo maps and compass. Trail was very hard to follow. Tried to follow the detour east around glacier peak but became lost quickly by buck creek pass. Retraced and followed old PCT around west side of Glacier peak. Crossing creeks and rivers is possible but be careful. Pick the right safe spot. Snow is very heavy. Kennedy Hot SPring washed out from flood. Not recommended solo. Took about eight days. Bring gortex sock liners and ice axe and attachable shoe crampons. email with questions or concerns

Hiking and camping season opens Memorial Day on Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Hiking and camping season opens this Memorial Day weekend, and while memories of winter’s storms may seem a distant past, many favorite trails are still unavailable. Despite snow, all campgrounds on the forest will be open except for Denny Creek, Middle Fork and Tinkham in the Snoqualmie Ranger District, and Miller River Group in the Skykomish Ranger District. Low elevation areas such as Denny Creek and trails along the Mountain Loop are still under snow. “Deep snow is still found at many popular recreation sites, roads and trails around the forest,” said Gary Paull, trails and wilderness specialist for the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. “Visitors should exercise caution when hiking and camping in the forest. Keep aware of your surroundings, hot sun may weaken large snow cornices on mountain ridges causing them to collapse and start a slide,” he said. Snow covered trails can cause confusion and hikers can get lost, added Paull. View the accessibility of trails and roads affected by storm damage at http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/conditions/may-2009-status-report.shtml. Current trail and road conditions are updated at http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/conditions/. Reserve a campground on the National Recreation Reservation System at www.recreation.gov. Visit HooDoo to find a forest campsite and check availability at http://www.hoodoo.com/Mount_Baker-Snoqualmie_national_forest.htm. For campground questions call Rhonda Dow at 360-691-1841. The Northwest Avalanche Center can advise visitors of avalanche danger at http://www.nwac.us/ or 206-526-6677. Local ranger districts or public service centers provide more information on hiking, camping and animal habitat: Snoqualmie Ranger District North Bend Office Mon-Sat, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Closed Sunday. 425-888-1421 Snoqualmie Pass Visitor Information Center Fri-Mon, 8:30 a.m.– 3 p.m. Closed until June. 425-434-6111 Enumclaw Public Service Center Mon-Sat, 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Closed Sunday. 360-825-6585 Mt. Baker Ranger District Mon-Sun, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 360-856-5700 ext. 515 Glacier Public Service Center Fri-Mon 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. 360-599-2714 Skykomish Ranger District Mon-Sat 8 a.m.– 4:30 p.m. Closed Sundays and Holidays. 360-677-2414 Darrington Ranger District Mon-Sat, 8 a.m.– 4:30 p.m. Closed Sundays and Holidays. 360-436-1155 Verlot Public Service Center Thu-Mon, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Closed Tuesday and Wednesday. 360-691-7791

GLACIER CREEK ROAD CLOSED Access closed to snowmobilers and hikers Recent storm damage has washed out Glacier Creek Road, closing access for snowmobilers and hikers. Glacier Creek Road (Forest Service Road 39) starts at mile post 35 off the Mt. Baker Scenic Highway (Scenic Route 542). The rain and snow initiated a rock and debris flow down a creek drainage washing out half the road, said Jim Mitchell, roads manager with the Mt. Baker Snoqualmie National Forest. The road is closed at the Thompson Creek Bridge crossing eliminating recreational access. At this time there is no way to construct a temporary bypass. The road could be closed well into the summer season and may be open around August. For further road and trail developments check the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest website at http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/conditions/index.shtml.

BRIDGE AT AGNES CREEK COMPLETED The footbridge is now in place across Agnes Creek on the Agnes Creek Trail and is open to both hikers and stock. The bridge is located one-half mile from the Agnes Creek Trailhead in the Stehekin Valley of Lake Chelan National Recreation Area

The PCT near Glacier Peak (approximately 33 miles north of Steven's Pass) was severely damaged by flooding in 2003. There is approximately 50 miles of detour. Refer to: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/wenatchee/conditions/pct for detailed maps and information.

According to the Wenatchee River Ranger District, part of a temporary reroute of the PCT (from storm damage in 2003) is now closed due to a forest fire burning in wilderness. Boulder Creek Trail 1562 is closed from the junction with White River Trail 1507 to the junction of the Little Giant Trail 1518 due to the Boulder Creek fire, which was still burning this morning.
The closure of part of the reroute around the east side of Glacier Peak means a long and unappealing road walk between 20 and 30 miles on the White River Road down to Lake Wenatchee and then back north up the Chiwawa River Road to the Buck Creek Trail.
Jim Haberberger, acting wilderness manager for the Wenatchee River Ranger District, reports that some thru-hikers are simply avoiding the stretch of the PCT north of Stevens Pass altogether and getting rides to Lake Wenatchee and the Chiwawa River Road.
"Fire managers are letting this fire burn," said Haberberger. "Fire crews are not doing full-on suppression, since they believe it's fairly well contained," he said. Haberberger indicated it's possible the trail could be closed for the remainder of the hiking season if rangers determine there's a risk from debris fall onto the trail.
Also closed because of the fire is the Clark Mountain high route. White River Trail 1507 and the Napequa River Trail 1562.1 remain open at this time.