While I hike this route every year, this was my first time up this route since the bomb cyclone from last November. Post storm reports indicated that the trails along this route were completely obliterated and there were areas of the forest that were almost completely clearcut. I can now confirm that those were not exaggerations! "Bomb" cyclone was pretty accurate, as it looked like massive bombs went off to knock down so many trees all at once! It was remarkable the amount of destruction that the storm caused to the forest and the trails, but even more remarkable the amount of work that has been put in to saw through all downed trees and to restore and repair the trails. Thank you to everyone who has put in all the hard work!
Most of the windfall begins on the East Ridge Trail after the junction with the Eastside Trail. Almost all of the blowdowns were cut and cleared, aside from one big tree still down to scoot yourself over and then one pretty bad spot of tons of downed trees where you have to scramble over some blowdowns and where two workers were currently still cutting and rerouting the trail. In places where tree roots upheaved the trail, the trail was nicely restored and repaired. There used to be a boot path around here that led up to the Southeast Peak. Well, not anymore! That path is totally nonexistent now.
As you approach the Phil's Creek junction, and after you hang a right on Phil's Creek, the trail had a good amount of wet ankle brush so expect your lower legs and boots to get soaked if a wet day. Phil's Creek Trail didn't have as much windfall and was all cleared out nicely. Then we headed up the Old Griz Trail and things got real interesting! There are some full on clearcuts up there that were not there before! Countless blowdowns have been cut to clear the way. On our way down from the Central Peak we took the Summit Trail, and the top part of this trail near the road junction had a big area of windfall and looked quite different.
More photos: https://www.nwhikers.net/forums/viewtopic.php?p=1282183#1282183
Comments
happyhiker23 on East Ridge Trail, Old Griz, Summit Trail, Phil's Creek
Thanks for the great description, but one quibble: the work done was not a "clearcut" which implies that the trees were cut and taken out. The only cutting has been done to clear trails or for safety.
Posted by:
happyhiker23 on May 19, 2025 03:16 PM
Pribbs on East Ridge Trail, Old Griz, Summit Trail, Phil's Creek
Sorry, I think you may misunderstood what I was meaning. I meant to get the storm knocked over so many trees that it looked like they were clear-cuts up there from the storm damage
Posted by:
Pribbs on May 19, 2025 03:20 PM
happyhiker23 on East Ridge Trail, Old Griz, Summit Trail, Phil's Creek
"There are some full on clearcuts up there that were not there before!"
I know you meant that it looked like a clearcut. Just don't want others to get upset that any clearcutting took place as a result of the storm, which is what that seems to imply.
Posted by:
happyhiker23 on May 19, 2025 03:26 PM