Pacific Crest Trail Detour

Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest

Pacific Crest Trail
Flood Damage and Trail Detour

Complete Trail Damage and Detour Info with Maps [ 3-page PDF: 800 kb ]

Hiker Trail Damage and Detour Map Only [ 1-page PDF: 293kb ]
-- Also available as a lower quality JPG image [ 127kb ]

Stock Trail Detour Map Only [ 1-page PDF: 447kb ]
-- Also available as a lower quality JPG image [ 165kb ]

Trail Damage and Detour Info Sheet - no maps [ 1-page PDF: 100 kb ]
(same text as on this web page, with a trail elevation gain / loss graph)

Photos of Flood Damage

Glacier Peak Wilderness

Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie & Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests

Updated September 2008

NOTICE TO THROUGH HIKERS
Trail construction is underway in the Milk Creek area northwest of Glacier Peak. This work repairs part of the PCT damaged by major flooding
in 2003.

The construction crew may be using explosives in this area during September and October 2008.
Using the signed PCT detour is recommended.

Otherwise, please obey all signs and guards posted in the area of the Milk Creek crossing. Thanks for your cooperation.

The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, in the vicinity of Glacier Peak on the Darrington Ranger District, was heavily damaged by flooding in October 2003. SEE PHOTOS. Seven major trail bridges were destroyed and sections of the trail were severely damaged by mudslides. As a result of this damage, the trail is impassable to hikers and stock. A trailed detour is described below, and maps of the area are provided to the right.

PLEASE NOTE:

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. SEE STOCK MAP. Transportation options will be posted here when they become available.

The “tent” symbol on the HIKER MAP shows areas where there are multiple campsites. Otherwise individual campsites are scattered every few miles along these trails except for Little Giant, where there is only one site in the Napeequa Valley. Please camp in established campsites-- do not camp on vegetation.

HIKER DETOUR ROUTE FROM SOUTH TO NORTH:

Indian Creek Trail #1502 (11 miles) to the White River Trailhead

Trail Condition: Fairly good condition as of 2007 except for sections of muddy tread and heavy brush.

Although the White River Trail #1507 is 2.5 miles shorter and might appear to be an alternate route, the upper portion of that trail has 5 difficult creek or river fords, lots of brush, and is in much rougher condition overall. It is passable for hikers but very slow going. Stock users are also affected by sections with narrow tread and vertical exposure.

White River Trail #1507 (4 miles) to the Boulder Creek junction

Trail Condition: This portion of the trail was in good condition as of 2007. Note that there is no longer a bridge across Boulder Creek on the White River trail; in late summer this is generally an easy ford, but expect high water early on.

Boulder Creek Trail # 1562 (9 miles up and over Boulder Pass) to the Little Giant junction (in the Napeequa Valley).

Trail Condition: The trail gains 3,500' to Boulder Pass, and was mostly in good condition as of 2007 to Boulder Basin (4 miles). Boulder Pass can still hold snow until late summer, and the trail has some steep sections with poor tread and loose rock on the descent into the Napeequa valley. The ford crossing the Napeequa is considered difficult by some, with murky water and loose cobbles underfoot. The Napeequa is a glacially fed river, so while it is highest during spring run-off, it is never really at "low water," and can rise substantially on hot sunny days. It is sometimes as much as two feet lower in the morning, compared to afternoon, during hot August weather.

SEE PHOTO of Napeequa River crossing on a September afternoon.

Little Giant Trail #1518 (8.5 miles) to the Chiwawa Road 6200

Trail Condition: This is the most difficult trail on the detour. Climbing out of the Napeequa is steep, rocky, and rough. Some sections have very narrow tread with steep side hill exposure. It is strongly recommended that stock users avoid this whole section due to the poor tread, exposure, and dangerous rock step-ups. Parts of the trail were brushed in 2003 and some tread improvement work was done in 2004. The descent into the Chiwawa drainage is in better condition, but still has some steep sections with exposed rock step-downs that are problematic for most stock users. Fording the Chiwawa River is very difficult to impossible until early or mid-August; a natural log crossing might be in the vicinity but would probably involve a good bashing through brush.

Chiwawa River Road 6200 (northwest for 3.5 miles) to road end at Trinity

Conditions: This is a dirt road (very dusty) with traffic, especially on weekends. Stay off to one side and be alert as you hike the road. Two car campgrounds are along the road between the two trailheads (a fee is charged for camping.)

Buck Creek Trail #1513 (9.5 miles) to Buck Creek Pass (where it becomes the Buck Creek Pass Trail #789)

Trail Conditions: As of spring 2007 the beginning of this trail was flood damaged, and in early summer the first quarter mile may again be under water, due to the river changing course. The Forest Service will be assessing further options for fixing or relocating this short piece. Most of the trail was in good condition as of fall 2007.

Buck Creek Pass Trail #789 (5.0 miles) to the PCT 2000