Unfortunately, sometimes the weather and other unforeseen circumstances may cause us to cancel or reschedule an event. Please consult with the Forest Service for current road and trail conditions, especially of your are planning a trip on the fringes of the season, i.e. From Horseshoe Basin, we traveled west for several days . Huge country! Washington Trails Association is 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Its home to an astounding array of wildlife, including the largest population of lynx in the lower 48 as well as deer, moose, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and wolves. My soggy mood was immediately bolstered and I kicked off my wet shoes and relaxed on a log. Beginning at the Irongate Trailhead west of Loomis, hikers will head west, covering some of the most spectacular features of the wilderness area until eventually turning into the Castle Pass Trail, and descending out of the Pasayten Wilderness. Snow showers, mainly after 11am. Arrive at Loomis in 16 miles and turn right onto County Road 9425. At the same time, beyond the scars, is beauty in the devastation. Louden Lake is a good place for your first night. Historic, archived document Do not assume content reflects current scientific knowledge, policies, or practices. Thankfully, we won the gamble and made it out safe and sound; and even with all our type B and C experiences, type A made it all worth it. Summer average highs are 70-80F, and lows are 35-45F. Distance: 7.3 miles | Elevation Gain: 1,270. Its clear there used to be scattered campsites and horse camps between the trailhead and Drake Creek, but most are now blackened and surrounded by scorched, unstable snags. 2006-2021 SummitPost.org. But never a more worthy effort, Foist. The Pacific Northwest Trail Association is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Laurel works full time with Conservation Northwest specializing in Conservation Restoration Ecology. Nice pics and a great first post. Your gift is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. But watch freezing levels, and go prepared for any kind of weather. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22. Theyve clearly been burned away. 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. Happy Frid, Last year I was getting the gravity water system i, Spent a few hours giving my wild thang a proper sp, Staffed Fire Lookouts of Washington State, The Journey to Visit Washingtons Remaining Lookouts, Hok Skiing the Blue Mountains: Clearwater Fire Lookout Cabin, Washington State Fire Lookouts Open for Overnight Stays, Washington State's 93* Historic Fire Lookouts, Boondocking with Bambi: 2 Weeks of Solar-Powered Living. It had plenty of water and was lovely and for our plan, the perfect central location.Although the stream flowing into the lake DID dry up on our last day, as an alternate camp spot I would choose a spot up the shoulder toward Snehumption Gap along Horseshoe creek. Note how the trees are starting to silver and keep your eyes out wildlife, including porcupines and woodpeckers. The whole walk from Upper Cathedral Basin to the Spanish Creek trail is just sublime. 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. Partly sunny, with a high near 43. At six miles you arrive at your destination; sublime Horseshoe Basin. Take in the expansiveness of the area. PNTA is proud to work with corporate partners to build a world-class experience for all who wander along the Pacific Northwest Trail. Deer Park is to your right and Windy Peak is to your your left. The Horseshoe Basin area provides almost unlimited campsites to the climber and backpacker. After Drake Creek, the trail climbs again another 1,000 feet in the next 1.5 miles to Lucky Pass, with beautiful views of the Lost River Valley. Most of us are so consumed with getting from point A to point B and marveling at the big grand vistas when were outside that we miss all of these tiny, magical moments that truly make nature a gift. Several campsites may be located in this area. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. At 1.5 miles cross a tributary of Clutch Creek, the only consistent water source until Horseshoe Basin. Thanks. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 19. If moving on the trail soon leaves the meadows and heads back into the forest as you round a bend and head towards Haig Mountain. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible. 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. A small meadow with a beautiful view of Windy Peak while wet your appetite before you hike back into the forest. You walk through forests with hints of aspen trees and wildflowers, after that it changes to walking through a very rocky and bouldery terrain and a burn area, and then you get up to the alpine looking terrain. 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. so. Also, it's an easy hike, and it's not that far to those beautiful meadows. updates, images and resources. We were surprised to find ourselves sharing the basin with quite a few hunters (deer and bear were in season) on our trip. In 2 miles, turn left onto Forest Road 39 and stay on this road for about 14 miles. Weather and Snow National Weather Service Forecast NOAA Snow Depth Map Lists that contain Horseshoe Mountain: Washington State Top 200 Peaks (Rank #197) . Plenty of elk droppings along side the trail. Top . The two times I've been there there was always a stiff wind that kept them down, but the wind also made it pretty chilly, even on a midsummer day. The morning light perfectly illuminated all of the little flying critters and we sat there for over an hour, watching this incredible dance of nature. Learn more. away. The Similkameen Trail is a short section of the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail(PNT) as it heads west from the the town of Oroville, WA following an old railroad grade in the heart of the Okanagan.From the trailhead in town you'll head west for 1.5 miles before coming to an alternate trail headalong Loomis-Oroville Highway. 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. Roundtrip distance to Horseshoe Basin is 20 miles. 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. Both of these trails can be included as loops as well - Check your map! When it was finally time to return to camp, we reluctantly gathered our gear, not really wanting to leave this magical place. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible. Things really open up at Sunny pass. The lake was low and completely cut off. HUGE electrical storm that night, thunder and lighting, quite the show. Melting snowbanks usually provide water through mid-summer. The short side trip to the top of Horseshoe Mountain only adds a few hundred vertical feet. After driving 9 miles north on the West Chewuch Road, you continue another 17 miles on Forest Road 5130, which branches off the Chewuch at the 8 Mile Sno-Park. Log in if you already have an account with us. Most of the forested slopes were burnt to a crisp, but pockets of green trees still remained here and there. The basin was snow free 6/29. Easy trail the whole way, all meadows and open forest, very uncrowded after Horseshoe Basin. I will make another attempt of this loop in late summer. Water plentiful. Nice report! 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. Follow the trail to the trail intersection at WP4 and then take a 1.8-mile roundtrip jaunt up Topaz Mountain. Packpup and I have also encountered a good little snowstorm 7/2/99 and occasional snow during our trip 7/1/00 7/3/00. The 6 mile spur dirt road signed Irongate Trailhead is a bit rough in a few sections but is not a problem if you have a high clearance vehicle. From our camp at Sunny Pass we climbed up the northwest side of Rock Mountain and then descended the east face to Loudon Lake. Some thunder is also possible. The trail gradually descendsthrough the forest for a short but when you get your first taste of whats to come. And there was a moose in the lake! Itll kick back a few cents to me thatll buy my pup an extra post-adventure treat! Pacific Northwest Trail Association Please try another search. At the easterly edge of the Pasayten Wilderness, almost touching the Canadian border, lies a truly unique and beautifully remote place. Watched the harrier hawks and smaller falcons coasting the meadows for snacks. Approach to Tungsten Mine. This includes side trips, extensions Continue on this rough road for about 6 miles to the trailhead (6,160 ft). As you enjoy a snack, enjoy your first sight of Horseshoe Basin, an area that begs further exploration. It sounded like most of the trail had been logged out as far as First Hidden Lake, but beyond that we had no idea what wed find. This 7 day trip was exactly what we had hoped for. Nature will bear the closest inspection. The MVFFLA has very exci, Spring showers and blooming balsamroot! The reality? This is my first trip report (and yes, I know very long) so be nice! I've hiked this area many times. Every stand of trees, rock outcropping, and flower display has a special feel, like it was all painstakingly handcrafted. We soon heard flocks of small chirping birds in the trees behind us and realized they werent just flying over the lake, they were catching thousands of tiny little nymphs that were hatching from the lake and taking flight. Date/Time All NOAA, Dry, gusty winds will drive elevated to critical fire weather Tuesday in the southern Rockies, southern Plains, and Mid-Atlantic. From the sound of it, there was a pretty healthy pika population living in the surrounding talus fields that had survived the fire just fine! Nice flat grade for many miles and very gradual slope for any of the hills. Sign up below to receive email notifications of new posts about trip reports, fire lookouts, historical sites, and more! Chance of precipitation is 20%. I couldnt believe it! East Pasayten Wilderness: Horseshoe Basin to Teapot Dome Log Out and Maintenance - 07/18/2023 . I am planning a multi day scout hike into this area for next summer, does anyone have any suggestions for this area on where to go? Here, the trail spans the rainshadow of the Cascades, wending across the Cascade Crest, from the dry Pasayten Wilderness, to the lush temperate rainforests west of the massive range. far. Sunny Pass is the perfect place for a picnic lunch. About 1.3 miles past the pass you will come to several junctions. We bumped into a buck on our way up. I agree. Other reviewers have adequately chronicled this hike. Needless to say, I didn't sleep in or near the cabins again. Panorama of the Pasayten from Horseshoe Basin in the east. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. 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). Boundary Trail: significant snow around Cathedral Peak/lakes, and at most shaded areas all the way through Horseshoe Basin. I left my telephoto lens at the trailhead. Make your next purchase through my affiliate links below at no cost to you. Interesting tidbit about your friend find out if he wants to team up for a mission to get back at those bushy-tailed wood rats! We found ourselves drawn to the Billy Goat and Hidden Lakes area of the Pasayten. 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. none of my topos go there. Much of the trail to Horseshoe Basin skirts the remnants of this fire. This 10.5 mile hike from the Goodenough Trailhead takes about 7 hours on foot. PNTA sawyers can also use volunteer swampers to help remove freshly cut branches and logs from the trail. I consent to my submitted data being collected and stored as outlined by the site . Previous backpacking experience is highly recommended, but no trail crew experience is necessary. 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. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible. West wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. 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. A 30 percent chance of snow showers before 11pm. We camped overnight at the Iron Gate trailhead and our plan was to make our way to Louden lake to set up base camp. 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. If you had walked another 15 minutes you would have come to a flatter area with nicer campsites. Horseshoe Basin North Cascades > Pasayten 48.9086, -119.9041 Map & Directions Length 12.0 miles, roundtrip Elevation Gain 1,550 feet Highest Point 7,200 feet Calculated Difficulty Moderate/Hard Photo by trip reporter Wild Side. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. Even the elusive grizzly may roam here. 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. And every time I visit the Pasayten it opens all of my senses in a way no other place does. Full of gorgeous lakes, high alpine tundra, and nearly 150 peaks over 7,500 in elevation, the Pasaytens biodiversity is a marvel. | 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. This lake bed was such a delightful surprise and in it we found the tracks of moose, deer, and a black bear. This trail is in the Pasayten Wilderness. Nice views over to Snowy protected area in Canada and of all the surrounding peaks. In a short tenth of a mile the Albert Camp Trail is to your right. Please select one of the following: A 50 percent chance of snow showers. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Note: If youvealready booked a spot on this trip and youd like to book additional spots for other members ofyour group, or view the booking options again, then log out of your pnt.org account (if applicable) and reload this page. Please explore responsibly! Along the way through the burnt trees there are 6 ft new growing pine trees helping to lush up the trail. Julie even told me she'd do it all again. The Hidden Lakes and Billy Goat area of the Pasayten had been on my radar for many years, but I hadnt planned to get there on this particular trip. Glad we did not camp there as it is not very central for our exploring. . 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. Along the way, the PNT crosses three national parks, seven national forests, and two other national scenic trails. Water in the creek at a mile and a half in. Some fire erosion had caused a few narrow spots, which for hikers isnt a problem, but Id certainly be a bit nervous with stock. At 4.8 miles reach Sunny Pass. It was beautiful. Deer Park is to your right and Windy Peak is to your your left. This is a popular trail for backpacking, birding, and camping, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. What Ive loved most about getting involved with Conservation Northwests tracking program is that it really opens your eyes to the wilderness around you. https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/horseshoe-basin-pasayten, https://www.wta.org/site_images/hikes/horseshoe-basin_lets-go-bobby.jpg/@@download/image/Horseshoe Basin. Thank you for the info. NICE fish in the lake though, we met a couple guys who had been fishing and were hooking decent rainbows. Tax ID: 27-3009280. I wasnt quite reorganized to hit the trail again early Saturday morning. Be sure to hike Armstrong and get a picture of yourself at the US/Canadian border marker. Depending on the time of year the meadow could be filled with lupine and Indian paintbrush as wells several other species of wildflowers. Castle Peak in the clouds. Passed a couple thru hikers on their way West. Follow the Windy Trail for 2.5 miles to the summit of Windy Peak (WP3). Go. The shortest route to get Cathedral Lakes (not coming from Canada) is roughly 19 miles. Instead, there was only one other car, a forest service vehicle, and a mule train at the lower trailhead. 436 Emett Smith ranching family at Horseshoe Basin, Pasayten Wilderness 8-1968 (36209094675).jpg 5,324 3,588; 15.64 MB 570 Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest, Horseshoe Basin, Pasayten Wilderness (36209064235).jpg 5,312 3,600; 12.92 MB Aerial View of Horseshoe Basin-Okanogan Wenatchee (23300790324).jpg 1,600 1,067; 1.59 MB Ive always believed that the more you look, the more you see. I had to cut my 5 day trip short and head back in the morning. Wildflowers/Meadows Mountain views Wildlife Established campsites Ridges/passes Dogs allowed on leash 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. Water in the creek at a mile and a half in. Some thunder is also possible. 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. Great little hike with some awesome waterfalls at the end. There were still small batches in the shady spots. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. 1, Wouldn't there be a good chance of contracting Hanta Virus from staying in the cabins? But as I hiked, I wasnt really thinking about my legs or how tired they were from these 80 miles in the Pasayten. Did some trail clearing. Once we turned our focus to the actual lake, we noticed a huge school of trout, floundering and trapped in the small receding pool of water left. Not seeing a title that fits your trip? The elevation gain is spread out nicely and never felt too steep. My legs were now approaching 60 miles and close to 15k in 4 days. Amazing sunsets from here. . A group of horse riders set up at Cougar camp. Washington's Pasayten Wilderness is a clash of cultures, geologic forces, and land-use ideologies. The PNTA provides tools, personal protective equipment, and training. We also evidently missed a 6" snowfall by two days, not surprising at that elevation. 12 miles in and barely a mile from camp and my shoes and pants were soaked through in no time. If youre still feeling sprightly, head uphill as far as youd like for increasingly expansive vistas go far enough and you can touch Canada!WTA Pro Tip: Before you head into the vast wilderness, fill up at Whistler's Family Restaurant in Tonasket. Right along the trail were two enormous horse camps with safe unburned trees and lots of rocks and logs for lounging. When planning a trip to Horseshoe Basin please consult maps and otherguides as theadventure described below is one of many that may be done from this trailhead. Once here, the opportunities to explore are nearly endless. Want to report conditions for this trail? Find a spur road signed for the Irongate Trailhead. 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. It was sobering to see the charred landscape. Haig Mountain + Rock Mountain 7641 + Armstrong Mountain SE Peak + Arnold Peak. We stopped at the cabins for a lunch break and explored the area. Most of the trail to Cougar Lake after Diamond Creek traverses below Island Mountain and has minimal climbing, which I was thankful for! Pasayten Wilderness, Tonasket Ranger District (OWNF). We went up the Andrews Creek tra. There is also Tungsten Lake SW of the Tungtesn Mine cabins, use your map it isn't far. Had to turn around. La Sportiva, My favorite kind of zen. Several year-round water sources are present, including a few small creeks, and Smith Lake, located about a mile to the east. If you need more info I would be glad to help. The first to the right leads to Smith Lake. Our tax identification number is EIN 91-0900134. This may be a bit of a "slog" but is definitely worth the extra effort. Being the wildlife geeks we are, Laurel and I chatted out about what might be down there. 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. From the trailhead all the way to Cougar Lake, the trail had been in surprisingly good condition. Total nighttime snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible. Bummer the bugs were so bad. Even if I dont see live animals, I see wildlife everywhere through their tracks. I appreciate the input on the area. One of my favorite spots to day hike (we have cabin about 45 min from trailhead) wildflowers are amazing after the snow melts. And 2, Where is the mine at Tungsten? If day hiking, a scramble up Pick Peak or a short jaunt up the Albert Camp Trail may be in order as this is a good turn around spot. PNTA is proud to work with corporate partners to build a world-class experience for all who wander along the Pacific Northwest Trail. 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. Horse trailers and larger or low-clearance vehicles park at the lower trailhead but most cars should be able to make it all the way to the end. 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. This trail is exceptionally beautiful and travels through the Pasayten Wilderness Area. Weather was partly cloudy and cool, in the 50s. Getting to the Billy Goat trailhead is a small adventure in and of itself and takes roughly an hour from Winthrop. East wind 6 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon. 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. Everything sure looks different than the times I went there in October. The trail continues for another 60+ miles(even further if you want to connect to one of the other trails through the wilderness)if your really into it but I think that the best of it is at Horseshoe Basin. If we make any changes to an event after you have registered, we will contact you as soon as possible with new information. Goodenough Trailhead (end of Fourteenmile Rd), 7:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Its a beautiful area. "Other than that, the post was more or less accurate." Subscribe to our free email newsletter for hiking events, news, gear reviews and more. The brushy 1.5-mile spur trail into Horseshoe Basin (accessed from the main east-west Stehekin River Trail below Cascade Pass) had become overgrown in places to the point of near impenetrability. If you really need to go further, by all means, go further. A long drive to get to the TH but the views were totally worth it. Partly sunny, with a high near 38. The Mountaineers, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We sat down, enjoying the amazing solitude, the huge views stretched out before us, and the unbelievable blue sky. Isn't that a great place? Grand total over 6 days in the Pasayten: 76.2 miles | 19,035Whew, no wonder my legs were tired! The wildness of the Pasayten is unparalleled in Washington and when you step inside its boundaries, its a place without time.

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