Thank you to whoever cleared the trail up to mile 6. Easy going, until mile 6 or 7 then major blow downs. Almost made it to bachelor creek intersection today. 

The blowdowns on Downey Creek trail are unfortunately as bad as everyone says. The first 3 miles of trail is pretty normal. Around mile 2-3 it starts to get a bit overgrown. Miles 3-6 are overgrown and have downed trees about every 2 minutes on the trail, making it difficult to go more than 1 mph on that section.

This made hiking out of the Ptarmigan Traverse pretty annoying. But at least the first 3 miles of trail to the car were good.

I just checked and the road is closed to all public entry until further notice.

The closure order is here:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/mbs/alerts-notices/?aid=75002

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I drove to the gate on the Suiattle road today. The road is currently closed at about MP 12.3, just after the cemetery. I would check with the Darrington ranger station before trying to access any trailheads out there. Tenas Creek road is also closed.

The gate is likely to get bypassed by those that do not respect the closure. Please don't just assume the road is open if the gate is open, you could still be fined for being in a closure.

With the Suiattle road finally open to the end after completion of hazard tree logging of 2020 fire damage, I ventured up Downey Creek.

NOTE: The road was open Monday morning but closed while I was hiking due to increased fire activity down river. I had a note from the fire crew on my windshield letting me know.

The road is beautifully graded. A little rough above Downey Creek from the logging. Brush is mowed along the sides from Big Creek to mile 12.4.

The first 0.8 miles of Downey Creek has burn on both sides of the trail. Most of the large trees survived - the Doug firs of course but also some cedar. Fireweed and cottonwood are sprouting in the understory. After 0.8 the fire stayed mostly above the trail until mile 1.3 to 1.5 where it burned down to the trail and occasionally a little below. After 1.5 (small stream) you’re out of the burn.

The trail is logged out and tread repaired  to Downey Mountain way trail and I think a little ways beyond. The way trail was easier to follow than 2 years ago. I went up to about 5600. 

Blockade at bridge ~19 mi up FR 26. Signage indicates closed thru Oct 1,2022.