I wanted a not-too-challenging solo overnight trip to test out a new pack, and a Friday hike to McAllister looked ideal. I got to the Wilderness Information Center in Marblemount just before its 8:00 a.m. opening, and was about number five in line, with a couple of large groups ahead, but all going to different places, so four permits were available for McAllister.
Thunder Creek Trailhead starts at the back of the Colonial Creek Campground, and the campground was full, but the day use parking at the amphitheater had a couple of spots open. I got on the trail at 10:00, and took a pretty leisurely pace out to the first bridge. I encountered a couple of people at Thunder Camp, and a couple more at the junction for the Fourth of July Pass trail.
A bit farther up I met a guy coming down who warned me to keep an eye out for a black bear sow and her cub. He said she was parked on the trail and wouldn't leave, so I made sure to whistle or sing a little periodically. Fortunately I didn't see her, so I guess she had moved on.
Lots of little side creeks cross the trail so you have to dance across the rocks to keep feet dry, but none of them are more than a few inches deep. I broke for lunch next to one of these, then continued on, still at a pretty relaxed pace, and got to McAllister just before 2:00, arriving just as another couple of people did, and those folks told me they did see a bear just about the time I encountered them. A really remarkable bridge crosses the creek just at the McAllister hiker camp (past the big washout). One group had already picked a campsite, and the other folks headed back away from the creek, so I set up in the first campsite across the bridge. It had a little fire ring and kitchen area overlooking the creek and a nice level tent spot another 20 or 30 yards up the hill. With all the bear activity, after dinner I made sure to hang food, toothpaste etc. in a tree.
There were a lot of skeeters and flies all afternoon and evening, and no breeze, so DEET was needed, but the bugs settled down some as the sun got low. A pleasant overnight with the sound of water, temperature got down to the low 50s, then hiked back out Saturday morning. I encountered a lot more people coming up the trail on Saturday than I saw Friday morning.
Great weather, trail in excellent condition, not crowded on a weekday; great hike overall.
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