Hiked Trail 1118 from the Scatter Creek trailhead, at the end of FS RD 1207, up to Tieton Pass (4.7 miles, one way) and then back down. The entire trail is in the Goat Rocks Wilderness. Approximately, the first half of the distance starting from the trailhead was through the burn zone of the Miriam fire in 2018 and contains numerous burnt and dead trees down on the trail. The trail tread has not received any work that I am aware of since the fire, and probably very little before the fire. It is usable as a hiking trail but not suitable for stock considering the deteriorating condition of the tread which is narrow and collapsing on the downhill side in many places. The first half of the trail is rather bleak and exposed as one would expect even several years after a fire. There are many dead trees still standing which will continue to fall over the trail for several years. It would also be a dangerous area if windy with a high likelihood of additional trees blowing down. Some logs have been cut and removed from the trail but at the time of my hike, I counted approximately 30 logs over the trail. Several required a redirect around the upturned root wad.
The second half of the trail up to Tieton Pass was still pristine and enchanting, not having burned. There are several clear-running water crossings with only one that would be of concern during the spring melt. This trail is a major access route into the Goat Rocks from the east side of the mountains.
Comments