trip reports for this trail. We heard it slogging through the water but it darted out of the lake and into the woods of Rock Mtn before we could get a photo. Theres a small camping area right off the trail with easy access to water, but its surrounded by a lot of soot and burned, unstable trees. Patagonia Provisions / updates, images and resources. Both of these trails can be included as loops as well - Check your map! If I go back I'd like to see the tunnels if they are still open. ben kallo education; how much is the wimbledon trophy worth; veterans football teams looking for players; apartments for rent chipley, fl; strickland funeral home pooler, ga About 1.3 miles past the pass you will come to several junctions. Horseshoe Basin is one of the few places in the Lower 48 to contain arctic tundra and is home to bears, deer and pronghorn sheep, if you know where to look. The Pacific Northwest Trail Association is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Water in the creek at a mile and a half in. You don't do it on a regular weekend, but since it's so far you're safe doing it on a 3 day weekend like Labor Day without having to worry about crowds. Total nighttime snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Two advantages to October: no bugs of any kind, and only one other car at the trailhead on a Saturday night (total out of two trips). As you enjoy a snack, enjoy your first sight of Horseshoe Basin, an area that begs further exploration. Goodenough Trailhead (end of Fourteenmile Rd), 7:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. A chance of rain and snow showers. Welcome to the site. Having been to Horseshoe Basin/Pasayten twice, I think the best campsites are on the lower SW slopes of Armstrong Mountain and South of Snehumption Gap. The trail turned slightly brushy, and unfortunately, wet. There are no resources for this route/place. Coveted by backpackers and strong hikers, Horseshoe Basin in the Pasayten Wilderness is a very strenuous 19.5 mile loop with 3,400 ft in elevation gain. Several swampy low areas exist in this area and the bugs can be ferocious. View Armstrong Mountain Image Gallery - 7 Images. I wasnt quite reorganized to hit the trail again early Saturday morning. Please note, this is a physically challenging trip in a rugged and remote wilderness area. We had Louden all to ourselves. The PNTA provides tools, personal protective equipment, and training. See Resources (below) for Frequently Asked Questions and packing recommendations. Adult participantsmay backpack in/out of the backcountry camp on their own timeframe; however, unaccompanied minors must remain with the crew for the full duration of the trip. Previous backpacking experience is highly recommended, but no trail crew experience is necessary. Note: PNTA staff work a full day, but volunteer crew members are always welcome to participate at their own pace for as long as they like. Happy SAFE trails, with mostly type A fun. Pleaseremember to practice minimumimpact camping principles and Leave No Trace! Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Wilderness/Special Area: Pasayten Wilderness Area: Topo Map: Data Source: This peak was submitted to the Peakbagger.com database by Andy Dewey. West wind 5 to 9 mph becoming east after midnight. NWS Did some trail clearing. Horseshoe Basin is a diverse expansive paradise of alpine tundra, ghost forest reminiscent of the Tripod Fire of 2006, a forest of larches and easy-to-scramble mountains rising above the wildflower meadow. As we approached our camp at Cougar Lake, we heard a distinct slapping sound on the water. From our camp at Sunny Pass we climbed up the northwest side of Rock Mountain and then descended the east face to Loudon Lake. At 0.7 mi you will encounter a junction. The Okanagan Highlands is home to a myriad of unique natural phenomena but nothing quite as otherworldly as Spotted Lake.Known to the Syilx People as Khiluk, or the "grandfather of lakes", it is a sacred place for healing and is said to contain 365 coloured spots, one for each day of the year. Washington Trails Association That said, I was thrilled to see a moose! Water in the creek at a mile and a half in. Images Photo by Wild Side.jpeg, Hiker Headlines: WTA Now Hiring, Highway Spring Cleaning, Trails Reopen, Upcoming Snowy Weekend. We camped overnight at the Iron Gate trailhead and our plan was to make our way to Louden lake to set up base camp. We went about half way up Haig and saw a pack of coyotes yipping up a storm. There was no sign of any of the intersecting trails leading up Stub Creek or to Tatoosh Buttes. Several year-round water sources are present, including a few small creeks, and Smith Lake, located about a mile to the east. "If destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. This trail is in the Pasayten Wilderness. For some volunteers, using crosscut saws and camping out in the Pasayten Wilderness with a seasoned trail crew is as good as it gets! I choose to purchase my gear from companies who do good in the world. And that vehicle turned out to belong to Jenjen, who came out as I was going in, and who lent me a piece of gear I was missing (cookpot handle). The next junction to the right, the Long Draw Trail, heads to Arnold and Goodenough Peaks. We had stopped in at the ranger station in Tonasket to look for any suggestions on our itinerary and the ranger had referred to Louden as a shitholeI have to disagree. When I went inside the small cabin for water the scene from Never Cry Wolf came to mind where the guy ate the mice to see if he could survive on them alone. West wind 11 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Far up the Lost River Valley of the Pasayten, only 10 miles south of the Canadian border, lie a chain of four gorgeous lakes: Cougar Lake, First Hidden Lake, Middle Hidden Lake, and Big Hidden Lake. Spring average highs are 50-60F, and lows are 15-30F. Monument 78-83 Trail in Manning Park offers direct access to this remote mountain. The views can be breathtaking. Day 4 Return trip to Haig Mtn. Theyll take turns using a big crosscut saw to cut logs, and smaller hand saws and loppers to cut saplings and brush from the trail. It was down off the trail next to a creek, right? The whole walk from Upper Cathedral Basin to the Spanish Creek trail is just sublime. Sunny, clear, and cool. Breezy, with a west wind 18 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. A logical destination for a 5-6 days trip would be Cathedral Peak and the Cathedral Lakes. 1, Wouldn't there be a good chance of contracting Hanta Virus from staying in the cabins? Shortly after that intersection you will come to the 375 foo During the winter months, there are few places in the country that are as isolated, picturesque and active as the Methow Valley, home to the western themed town of Winthrop and the tiny little town of Mazama.With over 200 kilometers of well-groomed cross country ski trails throughout the valley, you can ski to your heart's content and then relax at the end of the day at one of many rentals you Backpack the Pasayten Wilderness via Horseshoe Basin, Backpack the Pasayten Wilderness via Iron Gate Trailhead, Cathedral Lakes and Amphitheater Mountain, Backpack to Remmel Mtn. Fire has opened up sweeping vistas previously hidden by forest and painted the landscape in a spectacular palette of deep earthy reds, oranges, and browns. High near 35. There are also campsites on a hill just West of Louden Lake on the lower NE corner of Rock Mountain, and an a site with excellent views at Sunny Pass. Allow plenty of time to explore Horseshoe Basin by camping at the trailhead, where primitive camping without a water source is available. Please try another search. Much of the trail to Horseshoe Basin skirts the remnants of this fire. Eventually the trail all but disappeared and we picked the path of least resistance through the trees and debris, at last arriving at the shore of Big Hidden Lake, which stretched gorgeously far into the distance. Along the way, the PNT crosses three national parks, seven national forests, and two other national scenic trails. We headed back to the trail and continued on, finally reaching the historic cabins between First and Middle Hidden Lakes at Stub Creek, which were wrapped and saved from the fire. Trail: Boundary Trail (533) to Horseshoe Basin and beyond Area: Pasayten Wilderness, Okanogan NF, Loomis Access: Loomis, FS 39 (Toats Coulee Road) to FS (3900)500 to Iron Gate "Campground" Length: Up to 94 Miles, 7.2 mls to Louden Lake, 12 miles to Haig Mtn. Some fire erosion had caused a few narrow spots, which for hikers isnt a problem, but Id certainly be a bit nervous with stock. First 3 miles of the trail were constant blow downs. See more trip photos here. Gawking is allowed, even encouraged. I was happy to give my legs a break and since it was only 3 miles to the upper lake, wed have all day to explore. There is also Tungsten Lake SW of the Tungtesn Mine cabins, use your map it isn't far. We hike 7 miles in and reached Horseshoe Basin and camped here for the first night. Welcome to the board. I was post holing at times thigh deep. The unmistakable sound of a beaver! | Download for iOS | Download for Android, At the easterly edge of the Pasayten Wilderness, almost touching the Canadian border, lies a truly unique and beautifully remote place. Cool to watch them. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. What an evening. Join me as I share my love of the PNW and beyond, especially the beautiful Valley I'm lucky to call home! From Tonasket, take a left onto the Loomis Highway and drive 16 miles to Loomis. Secure the necessary permits before heading out. Nice views over to Snowy protected area in Canada and of all the surrounding peaks. At the very end of August, I spent 6 days backpacking over 80 miles inside the Pasayten, first completing a stunning solo backpack loop around Devils Dome on its west side, then joining up with a friend to explore around the Hidden Lakes of the central Pasayten. Distance: 13.8 miles | Elevation Gain: 3,150. The unmarked horse trail made for a nice grade into a smaller basin with wildflowers and saw a pair of bucks just before the burned area. so. Chance of precipitation is 30%. The Pacific Northwest Trail (PNT) is a 1200-mile hiking trail running from the Continental Divide in Montana to the Pacific Ocean on Washington 's Olympic Coast. , MSR / Horseshoe Basin is one of the few places in the Lower 48 to contain alpine tundra and is home to bears, deer and pronghorn sheep, if you know where to look. Windy Peak (8,334 ft): one of Washington's highest summits that can be accessed by a trail. My original plan was to meet my friend Laurel in Winthrop after completing Devils Dome, then head out for a 45 mile backpack through the Cathedral Pass area further east. Pacific Northwest Trail Association My husband and I chose this hike looking for solitude, high alpine, and a region we could day trip from a central base camp. Also don't forget your camera. But never a more worthy effort, Foist. This is my first trip report (and yes, I know very long) so be nice! I was there in the fall of '01, and the rats had full run of the place, day and night. I see all the different species that use the land, how they move and how they behave, and even more amazingly, how they all overlap. And every time I visit the Pasayten it opens all of my senses in a way no other place does. Thanks for the support of Western Washington Honda Dealers and our other corporate sponsors. adventures and follow local regulations. They had nowhere to go and with bear tracks extending into the lake, it was clear the trout were likely providing an easy snack for a lot of critters. Passed a couple thru hikers on their way West. She invites us to lay our eye level with her smallest leaf, and take an insect view of its plain. At mile 7, I turned around and made camp at Sunny Pass. Read More >, Local Forecast OfficeMore Local Wx3 Day HistoryMobile WeatherHourly Weather Forecast, Chance SnowShowers thenSlight ChanceRain/Snow, Zone Area Forecast for Upper Slopes of the Eastern Washington Cascades Crest, WA. We were in wildlife geek heaven and could barely contain our excitement. Wolframite Mountain + Bauerman Ridge + Teapot Dome. In a short tenth of a mile the Albert Camp Trail is to your right. From Horseshoe Basin, we traveled west for several days . Continue on until the trail finally breaks out of the burned area about three miles from the trailhead. This side spurs do lead to some worthy destinations and could be incorporated into a longer or completely different trip. We passed 3 sets of people leaving so it was just us, the ranger, and the Geo Metro. This is a popular trail for backpacking, birding, and camping, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Our favorite park in Canada, Cathedral Lakes, is just across the border and hoped Horseshoe basin would offer a similar experience. At the very end of August, I spent 6 days backpacking over 80 miles inside the Pasayten, first completing a stunning solo backpack loop around Devil's Dome on its west side, then joining up with a friend to explore around the Hidden Lakes of the central Pasayten. Historically, Horseshoe Basin (not to be confused with Horseshoe Basin in the Pasayten Wilderness) has not been especially hospitable to visitors. And there was a moose in the lake! Mostly clear past Tungsten Creek junction. It is also nice to see Louden Lake as something other than a muddy patch of ground. Everyone we met was friendly, helpful, and obviously very careful with their weapons, so no problem there. Arrive at Loomis in 16 miles and turn right onto County Road 9425. Combined with North Cascades National Park and Ross Lake National Recreation Area to the west, and the Canadian roadless areas to the north, the region has more than one million acres of wild lands. Day 3 - Sunday, September 3. away. It's hard to tell, but the fish is actually a cutt. Colville National Forest, Tonasket Ranger District, Day Hiking: North Cascades (Romano - Mountaineers Books), Backpacking Washington (Romano - Mountaineers Books). Most of the forested slopes were burnt to a crisp, but pockets of green trees still remained here and there. Water again at Sunny camp. Most of the trail to Cougar Lake after Diamond Creek traverses below Island Mountain and has minimal climbing, which I was thankful for! Sign up below to receive email notifications of new posts about trip reports, fire lookouts, historical sites, and more! Outdoor Research / Make your next purchase through my affiliate links below at no cost to you. Sponsorship funds, in part, programs that enhance the trail system, bring new opportunities to trailside communities and provide summer jobs for local youth through our trail stewardship programs. Isn't that a great place? Water plentiful. Our favorite park in Canada, Cathedral Lakes, is just across the border https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report.2019-08-21.7241644122, https://www.wta.org/site_images/trip-reports/2019/tripreport.image.2019-08-21.7293004937/@@download/image/IMG_6109.JPG. Julie even told me she'd do it all again. At the easterly edge of the Pasayten Wilderness, almost touching the Canadian border, lies a truly unique and beautifully remote place. Deer Park is to your right and Windy Peak is to your your left. We will be taking a scout troup up there from July 26-31 and are looking for all of our options in the area. A slight chance of rain showers, mixing with snow after 8pm, then gradually ending. Weather was partly cloudy and cool, in the 50s. Located in the Pasayten Wilderness and surrounded by Amphitheater Mountain and Cathedral Peak, Cathedral Lakes are a great destination for a multi-day backpacking trip. Horseshoe Basin is one of the few places in the Lower 48 to contain alpine tundra and is home to bears, deer and bighorn sheep, if you know where to look. Summer average highs are 70-80F, and lows are 35-45F. 1am PDT Apr 18, 2023-6pm PDT Apr 24, 2023, Excessive Rainfall and Winter Weather Forecasts, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Once this section of corridor is clear, well turn our attention to tread work. A 30 percent chance of snow showers, mainly before 11pm. Ill only say this about our 13 mile return hike: boy that climb from Diamond Creek all the way back up to Lucky Pass is a beast! The result is that the Pasayten is like a Zen Garden. A creek, right plenty of time to explore Horseshoe Basin in the fall of '01, and bugs. 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