We hiked from the interpretive center (which was closed and the lot gated and locked) to Wellington. Might be the last good day to hike this trail this year, as snow could hit the pass anytime now.
First mile is up thru the connector, really good incline, about 700 feet and 21 switchbacks, and that ends at the Windy point tunnel entrance. It's about 3.25 miles to the Wellington ghost town, which is a relatively easy incline the entire way. Trail was in really good shape. Highlights include the Windy point tunnel, Windy point viewpoint, the snowshed by Wellington, and the Cascade tunnel in/by the town remnants itself.
Only one other group on the trail. Ran into a State worker at Wellington, and he said we were fortunate to have the terrific Sunny weather we did at that time of the year, usually there is snow by this time of year. He didn't recommend snowshoeing on the Wellington end of the trail, thought that there was too much avalanche danger, and of course the sad history of the train wiped out there highlights that.
Comments