Hiked Swift Creek trail from Baker Lake north to 1 mile west (south) of junction with Lake Ann Trail, 17 miles RT.
Started at north end of Park Creek Campground off Baker Lake Road. Hiked up abandoned road 1144 to start of Swift Creek Trail 607. Abandoned road 1144 is excellent trail, with no brush encroachment. Swift Creek trail is in good condition, although narrow at times. Between Rainbow Creek and Swift Creek crossings, substantial new puncheon has been and is being constructed in muddy sections (by SWITMO?). Upstream from Swift Creek crossing, trail was well brushed out recently (either earlier this year or last).
Rainbow Creek crossing is still same bare log as shown in 2020 trip reports. Swift Creek crossing is two alders -- see photo.
At north end of trail, a WTA work party worked August 26-29 to improve tread and clear several blow downs.
Encountered on trail: toads, garter snakes, and PNT through hikers -- and rather more of the first two.
Comments
Umpire13 on Swift Creek
Are there any campsites that would hold a couple single man tents at lower elevations or say 4 miles in ? How about access to water on the trail. Easy or hard to come by? I am looking for a easy quick weekend hike with my son that won’t kill us. Thanks
Posted by:
Umpire13 on Sep 20, 2021 06:19 PM
Maybe not so quick and easy . . .
The only good campsites "at lower elevations" are on the north side of the Rainbow Creek crossing. The only water source is Rainbow Creek, which is turbid with glacial flour. The next water -- and it is clear -- is at the Swift Creek crossing. But I don't remember any good campsites in that vicinity.
Posted by:
JustTheFacts on Sep 20, 2021 06:30 PM