North Fork Tieton to Tieton Pass — Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2003

South Cascades > Goat Rocks

North Fork Tieton River Trail #1118 Before we started this hike one of my friends going on this hike asked me if I had ever been on a hike that had been a bust. I said no not really - every hike has been great - and I have been hiking a lot of years. WELL........I can now say this hike was a huge disappointment. It was rated a ""9"" in the Pacific NW Hiking book. It was also listed in 55 Best Hikes of the PCT - So we did have high expectations. It was hot and dusty - which we expected, but we were in the trees the whole time. The book described ""alpine heather meadows and rock-lined wildflower patches."" We didn't see them, altho the flowers were past their peak which was OK. We did have a tiny view of the Goat Rocks, which were obscured by heavy smoke from a fire by Panther Creek, but even if had been clear - it was just one place in the trail on the way up. Nothing after, or before. Usually there is always somewhere where the forest is ""unique"" or creeks or views or something special. We ended up making a loop out of it and came down Hidden Springs Trail. That was a tough down - we were really glad we had not come up that way. There is a great view just below Hidden Springs. It was a 11 1/2 mile hike all in all. We passed some WTA crew people working on a section of trail - and they were working hard! Great job! We debated between this trail and Bluff Lake. Wish we had done Bluff Lake. But.....we were outside on a beautiful day, in the Wilderness which you can't beat - with great friends, so can't really complain too much. I think I am just spoiled with so many beautiful places to go, that I hate to miss not seeing everything. My advice tho - is skip this one - unless of course you are riding horses.