FOUND RING 

Got to the parking lot around 9:30am to find just 1-2 other cars around, and the bathroom was open. We went out 7 miles (for 14 miles round trip) to just past McAllister Camp and found a lovely lunch spot to sit by the river. Views are generally of the forest throughout the hike, with occasional glimpses of beautiful mountains and the river. Overall, the trail is in great shape - there were a few blow downs, mostly small and easy to step over with just one larger one. There were some bugs, but they weren't too bad, especially with a breeze. We only saw 2 people at the very end as we were returning to the trailhead. This seems like a great early/shoulder season hike, especially as a way to get some miles in!

The trail is mostly snow-free for 5 miles or so, followed by intermittent patches just a few inches deep. A few stream crossings required some rock-hopping skills or wading. A few logs across the trail. Overall a very nice hike. No crowds.

Only hiked past the bridge and a bit past Fourth of July pass (this trail closed due to fire damage). I didn’t want to rock hop across the creek due to ice and no poles with me. Trail was snow and debris free. Nice winter stroll.

Sunday: Bad news - Red Flag Warning up for east side of the North Cascades; Ruby Fire is almost 400 acres in size; fire suppression efforts using planes and water drops has been reduced as planes have been called to other locations (e.g., just north of I-90 east of Snoqualmie Pass).  For the Pincer 2 and Easy fires, the first have reached the respective roads (SR 20 and Cascade River Road).  Good news: much cooler, moister weather will settle in for at least a week.

New fire, growing rapidly, but under full suppression efforts.  Note current heat locations and intensities for three fires in the region.

Ruby Fire Closures (NCNP Complex)

As of 8.9.24, the following are closed to all access due to fire activity.

• Trails
• Fourth of July
• Panther Creek
• Thunder Creek
• Fisher Creek
• Camps
• Neve
• Thunder
• Fourth of July
• Panther Group
• McAllister
• McAllister Stock
• Tricouni
• Junction
• Junction Stock
• Fisher
• Cosho
• Skagit Queen
• Thunder Basin
• Thunder Basin Stock
• Cross-country Zones
• Ruby

Figure 2 illustrates conditions of the Miners Fire Complex and the associated damage (panels A and C).  A burn log (panel B) illustrates why both stand, down, and rolling logs are so dangerous.  Fires can smolder in them as well as in the root system and then under the right conditions, provide an ignition source with lots of burning embers.

Information on Easy Fire and the Calcite Creek Fire and their closures see https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report-2024-07-18.111624594105

Information on the Pioneer Fire as well as the Miners Fire Complex and the Pincer 2 Fire and associated closures see: https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report-2024-06-20.215949501306

Hiking any part of the PCT and want to know about current closures or detours: https://closures.pcta.org/