Cutthroat Pass via the Pacific Crest Trail — Thursday, Sep. 21, 2023

Thought I would catch a larch hike before Larch Madness starts.

The trail is as described in the WTA trail description.   This trail is a very small section of the PCT.  Hence, a wide soft trail, with very few areas of roots and rocks and a very gentle grade.

Once turning off SR20 to the TH, there is a 200 ft section of the road that has some deep potholes just before the parking lot.  Any car can make it with care.

The multiple stream crossings are easy as water flow is low.  Some of the smaller streams, most people won’t even know they are crossing a stream as they are completely dry.  Porcupine Creek and the tributary just south are two crossings that take a little rock hopping.  Nothing difficult.

Colors were stunning this morning.  Frost from last night only enhanced the colors. At mile 4 from the TH, I was walking down a trail lined by a red carpet on both sides.

There was snow yesterday morning.  Most has melted and only remnants left today.  With the exception of a couple of ice patches, the trail is completely clear.

Larches varied from light green to light yellow as I climbed elevation.  Larches were at prime at the pass.  

I passed 5 day hikers and 2 PCT thru hikers in my last mile of my 10 mi hike.  Not bad as I am sure this trail will be very busy soon with Maple Pass and Blue Lake still closed due to the Blue Lake fire.

Smoke was non-existent on this trail.  It is thick around Diablo and Newhalem from the Sourdough fire.