Hiked from Highbridge TH to Rainy Pass over Fourth of July weekend.
Logistics: getting to Stehekin required an overnight in Chelan. Lady of the Lake runs 2-3 boats up to Stehekin leaving between 8-9am. The catamaran is fastest, requires purchase of a round trip ticket (even if you are only going one way), and turned out to be cancelled the day of our trip. Thus we took the Express to Stehekin. (Hopping on at Fields Landing minimizes boat time. Also, boat was crowded and no option for social distancing, though most were wearing masks) The Red Bus is NOT currently running and will not be running until Phase 3. There is no transportation to the trailheads. Some are closer to Stehekin (4+mi) but Highbridge (PCT) is over 10 mi from Stehekin. The Lodge suggested hitching though there were not many cars along the road. We found a local to drive us the 20-30min to the TH. We did this route as a thru hike, you can arrange a car drop at Rainy pass or Bridge creek or organize a shuttle.
Trail: Hiked Old Wagon Trail to Bridge Creek Trail, all along the PCT. Plenty of water throughout at this time of year. All bridges in excellent condition. No fording required. Camp sites had fire pits. We did not overnight in Stehekin but rather hiked about 5 miles in to Bridge Creek campsite. Bugs were not too bad-- did not ever need a headnet. Abundant wildflowers in the meadows starting about 7 miles in. Saw deer, occasional bear scat. After the Twisp Pass juncture, the trail becomes much brushier, some areas of hiking through shallow creeks, and several easy to navigate blowdowns (increasing after exiting NP boundary). The route from South to North is uphill though the incline is steady and doesn't feel too tough.
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