Pacific Crest Trail - Stehekin to Rainy Pass — Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025

Trail was in good shape from High Bridge to Bridge Creek trailhead on Highway 20 (milepost 159). Signs posted that this parking area will be closed August 18th for paving.  Caught the shuttle from Stehekin to High Bridge and hiked north on the PCT about 18 miles. Hot weather, minimal bugs, bridges in place and trail had been cleared of brush most of the way (thank you trail crews). Backcountry camps: Bridge Creek, North Fork, South Fork are all in good shape with toilets and metal bear boxes. A black bear was on the trail between Hideaway camp and Fireweed camp. We got off the trail so the bear could pass by - not fearful of people and other hikers reported a bear showing up at dinner time and sniffing the bear box at Fireweed camp the night of August 12th. Might have been the same bear we saw the morning of August 13th. Plenty of water sources since you’re following Bridge Creek and camps with water access.

Notes - the Maple Creek crossing (North of North Fork camp) has an old suspension bridge or you can rock hop across since the water level is fairly low.

Also there’s a huge log (flat on top) to safely cross the creek at South Fork Camp on the Rainbow Lake Trail.