Wilderness Ranger Report for Monday, June 7th, 2007
Our crew spent the 4th of July weekend working in Pete Lake country. Here's
our report.
Trail 1323 (Pete Lake) is passable to stock and hikers first 4 miles to Pete
Lake and then 1 more mile to Lemah Creek primitive crossing. Insignificant
patches of snow at times. From Lemah crossing to the end of the Pete Lake
trail at the PCT 2000, deep extensive snow impassable to stock.
The Pacific Crest Trail from Pete Lake Trail Junction to Spectacle Lake
has the following conditions: One quarter mile up the PCT is the debris from
a major avalanche. There is seven feet of snow buried underneath 30-40
mature blowndow trees. It will be impassable to stock for most of July (stay
tuned). From the primitive Spectacle Lake Trail near the outlet creek bridge,
up the PCT switchbacks to the Spectacle Lake Trail spur, is extensive snow
– 60% covered. Spectacle Lake remains 50% patchy ice and only 25%
camps are snow free.
Lemah Meadows Trail, a one mile spur from Lemah primitive crossing to
the Pacific Crest Trail #2000 is snow free and maintained. Stock and hiker
camps can be found 150 yards north of the junction on the PCT. No snow in
camps but soon will be really buggy (trust us! The mosquitoes are really
bad this year).
Stafford Creek Trail maintained and snow free its entirety to Navaho Pass.
There is still ample water in camps.
Rachel Lake Trail #1313 has patchy snow begins in the first ½ mile
becoming extensive in the valley bottom. Switchbacks (steep hill climb)
mostly snow free to within a half mile of Lake. There is a lot of snow at the
lake camps.
The horse ford on the Waptus Lake Trail is up six inches from the last
ranger report, about belt line on John, but near the neck for Billy! Use
extreme caution when crossing. Remember to watch your footing and
unbuckle all the straps on your backpack if you decide to cross.
Hyas Lake report – Clear sailing all the way to the lake! Wilderness Ranger,
Robin, hiked to Hyas Lake today and reports the trail is in good shape and
snow free. She didn’t hike beyond the lake, but it looks like the upper routes
are finally becoming accessible (without crampons and ice picks!).
Wilderness Ranger, John M.
and his crew work extra hard
to clear the trails for you!
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A cow and bull elk wonder
what the fuss is all about.
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Wilderness Ranger Robin
demonstrates proper water
crossing technique.
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Rick works the ax afer a few
minutes of cross cut sawing.
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