August Harts Pass trail work

The MVTC crew spent their August clearing trails accessed from Hart’s Pass. Those willing to brave the harrowing drive will be rewarded with alpine vistas, ample wild berries, and several miles of log-free trails thanks to our crew. In addition to the MVTC professional crew, partners and volunteer crews have been working up at Harts this summer, too, so hikers and equestrians have some options for extended trips into the Pasayten. 

In Early August, a Bacountry Horsmen of Washington volunteer crew spent a trip logging the Robbinson Creek trail (Middle Fork Pasayten) from the trailhead to Robinson Pass, then all the way to the administrative Pasayten Airstrip. The BCHW volunteers joined forces with a crew from the Pacific Northwest Trail Assocaition to continue north towards the Canadian Border. The trail is located in a burn area north of the administrative cabin. Unfortunately, as is typical in burned areas, the BCH/PNTA crew encountered a high log load. Despite the numerous downed trees, they successfully cleared the boundary trail to the Pasayten River crossing on August 2nd.

The MVTC crew hiked into the Pasayten right on the BCH’s hoofs and spent part of the hitch clearing feeder trails (Whistler Cuttoff, Ferguson Lake, Freds and Dorris Lake) of the Middle Fork Pasayten before basing the rest of the hitch at the Aristrip Cabin. One of our crew members, Maria, recounted their hitch from (08/05-08/12)

“Hey there, it's Maria, one of the crosscut crew members with MVTC. Recently, we worked in the Pasayten Wilderness, specifically Tatoosh Butte. The hike-in from Hart's Pass to the Pasayten Airport took a few days as we tackled various trail sites, and we began our epic journey of logging out this trail steadily but surely. From shady green woods to open blue skies, we encountered our rivals in the form of old fallen down trees. I remember the mental relief I felt as Aaron, another crew member, and I finished underbucking the most stubborn and heaviest log we've come across at the end of a scorching hot day. "The worst is over!" But there were even more stubborn logs on the trail as we hiked further down. Despite the heat and the punky rot that accompanied some of these logs, our crew ended up logging out 4,800 feet successfully. There remain a lot more trees on Tatoosh Butte, so keep that in mind if you are considering hiking this trail soon.

In addition, Allen, the director, joined our crew for five days. Not only did we also work together as a crosscut pair, but we also established a fresh section of accessible tread at Lease Creek. When we reached the creek, we noticed there was only a steep sandy eroding hill. With terra hoes in our hands and pure determination, we transformed the slope into a walkable or ridable trai: now hikers and horses alike can cross the creek without issue. A thank-you note written in stone from a hiking pair was found the next day on our new tread, which deeply warmed my heart!”

Big thanks to the Methow Ranger District pack program for bringing our crew’s gear in and out of the airstrip.

During the following pay period (08/20-08/25), a volunteer colleague formerly from the Wenatchee River Ranger District trail program joined our crew for a few days to log out the Buckskin Ridge Trail. After making the familiar drive up to the Slate Peak Trailhead, they started along the ridge. The crew accomplished some tread repair and brushing, but much of this trail remains narrow and steep. It's ill-advised for equestrians except for more experienced riders. The crew cleared almost 140 trees from the trail, the majority located between Bukskin Lake and the trail’s Northern terminus. Berries were out, and Buckskin Lake was a great spot to beat the August heat at the end of the workday. Nick F. and Allen recruited a few crew members to assist with their compulsion to build trail bridges on either end of the hitch.

The Pacific Northwest Trail Association spent the remainder of August working out of Harts Pass, too, focusing on the West Fork Pasayten Trail and the Devil’s Ridge Trail #752 to the west. The PNTA crew successfully logged out and accomplished some tread work between Holman Pass (PCT) and Devil’s Pass. 

Cleared: Robinson Creek Trail #478 (08/03)

Whistler Cuttoff #575 (08/05)

Ferguson Lake Trail #474A (08/06)

Freds and Dorris Lake Trail #474 (08/07)

Tatoosh Buttes (08/11) #485 logged out 2.5 miles from Middle Fork Junction. 1/2 mile stretch of logs remains between the elevations of 4,800' and 5,400'. A few of the crew summited the Buttes after work one day, and can report that the fallen trees thin out at approximately 5,400'. The tread is narrow, but in remarkably good condition, despite the lack of maintenance. Brush is annoying, but not impassible, and there is another half-mile-long stretch of blowdown to contend with if accessing the summit from the West. Access from the East via the Hidden Lakes trail is log-heavy.

Middle Fork Pasayten #472 to #472A, then over to Holman Pass

Devils Ridge Trail #752 cleared to pass (08/27)

Buckskin Ridge Trail #498 (08/25)