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I took an interesting day hike loop this weekend from the North Fork Tieton River TH. The road to the TH is barricaded about 3.5 miles from the TH. The road is in good condition and an easy hike or bike to the TH at the boundary of the Goat Rocks wilderness. The old campground at the TH appears decommissioned but has nice sites and a good creek for drinking water.
From the TH I attempted to find the "old army trail" to McCall Basin. I won't elaborate too much on this since I never found anything more than elk paths that went where I was going and may have been the old trail. Following the braided North Fork Tieton River channels through miles of old growth Cedar and then climbing around numerous cataracts to McCall Basin was beautiful and immensely rewarding. I ascended the ridge on the South side of upper McCall basin and scrambled along it (class 2/3) SW to the summit of Old Snowy Mountain. It was about five hours of magnificent cross-country travel to this point during which I saw no one even though the parking area was "packed". There were 10 vehicles which is the most I have ever seen there.
The summit of Old Snowy was misty and very windy. I was glad to have a down jacket and wished I had thought to bring gloves. I had to fold up my poles and put my hands in my pockets. I followed the PCT North from Old Snowy for a few miles to the Jct with the N. Fork Tieton Trail at Tieton Pass and descended this trail back to my car. This exposed section is my favorite part of the PCT in WA. Truly a must do. All trails were in excellent condition. Ran into a few friendly through hikers and hunters but overall a pretty quiet day.
<3 the Goat Rocks!
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Started off by biking the North Fork Tieton Rd. which is closed less than a 1/4 mile past the turn off from the paved Clear Lake rd. Gentle ~4 miles to trailhead. Took Hidden Springs Trail to start our multi-day loop as it is the most direct to visit Shoe Lake. Hard to follow from the junction, it was an omen for the rest of this short and steep spur. Trail eroded, with countless large blowdowns over the trail. Switchbacks were scrabble.
Shoe lake was beautiful, rather buggy. Seems it has just been freed from snow fields. Wildflowers are out, huckleberry fruit is formed and should ripen over the coming weeks.
Took the PCT trail back South from Shoe Lake/Hidden Springs heading toward Elk Pass. PCT is in excellent condition. Dry as a bone. Very few blowdowns.
Elk Pass approach has several snow fields to cross. Plenty of fresh snow melt water. Easy to navigate/circumnavigate; until the top. There are some exposed, steep snow fields to cross to round the corner and head to Old Snowy Mtn. heading South Bound on the PCT. I'm sure in a few weeks the trail will be freed from these, but be sure to cross these when snow has thawed later in the day. Took alternative following a ridge to Old Snowy to avoid more exposed snow fields. Scrabble and shale, but the rock felt more secure than snow.
North Fork Tieton trail on the way out was excellent. Few blowdowns and surrounded by old growth. Definitely taking this for the approach next time.
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