Smith Lake is interesting as is Louden Lake. If you need more info I would be glad to help. 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. The MVFFLA has very exci, Spring showers and blooming balsamroot! Mountaineers Books is a registered trademark of The Mountaineers, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. I guess it makes sense if the Lost River is indeed subterranean in places. West wind 11 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Many loop hikes and backpacking trips can be done from this area as well. Take in the expansiveness of the area. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate NWHikers.net earns from qualifying purchases when you use our. getting there From Tonasket, turn left onto the Loomis Highway. Find a spur road signed for the Irongate Trailhead. While fire is a very natural process in many wilderness areas, especially the Pasayten, the Diamond Creek Fire in 2017 was not natural. The Pasayten Wilderness is a 531,539 acres (215,106 ha) protected area located within Okanogan National Forest and Mount Baker National Forest in Washington state, centered on the Three Forks (485402N 1203801W) of the Pasayten River, a tributary of the Similkameen River. The Mountaineers teaches skills and leads outdoor activities for all ages and levels in the Pacific Northwest. There are no resources for this route/place. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Some fire erosion had caused a few narrow spots, which for hikers isnt a problem, but Id certainly be a bit nervous with stock. 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. 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. Photo by Wild Side.jpeg, Hiker Headlines: WTA Now Hiring, Highway Spring Cleaning, Trails Reopen, Upcoming Snowy Weekend. My legs were now approaching 60 miles and close to 15k in 4 days. Bernardo, NW Hikers' Bureau Chief of Reporting. It was beautiful. Both of these trails can be included as loops as well - Check your map! An easy grade, almost flat to the first creek, then gradual uphill most of the way to Sunny pass. The trail starts on an old mining road, but you are immediately surrounded by the wilderness. From Tonasket, take a left onto the Loomis Highway and drive 16 miles to Loomis. Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. * Full-color coffee-table quality hiking guidebook with lush, hand-drawn trail maps * Written by Washington's godfathers of hiking guidebooks, Harvey Manning and Ira Spring * In a state rich with luscious trails, these hikes are the ones you can't miss (or, at least, must start with) 100 Classic Hikes in Washington is the progeny of Washington's first hiking guidebook, and is the best-selling . Panorama of the Pasayten from Horseshoe Basin in the east. At 7.1 miles from the trailhead come to Loudon Lake. Please select one of the following: A 50 percent chance of snow showers. 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! Passed a couple thru hikers on their way West. I've hiked this area many times. Partly sunny, with a high near 43. Breezy, with a west wind 18 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible. App-based driving directions aren't always accurate and data connections may be unreliable as you drive to the trailhead. Overall, this area is beautiful and very impressive and there are very few people. Day 4 Return trip to Haig Mtn. From the trailhead all the way to Cougar Lake, the trail had been in surprisingly good condition. West wind 11 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. The short side trip to the top of Horseshoe Mountain only adds a few hundred vertical feet. Water again at Sunny camp. 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. My recommendation is to push on a little further. Nearer Cougar Lake, the appropriately named Lost River disappears underground and is replaced by a spectacularly green marsh. This trail is exceptionally beautiful and travels through the Pasayten Wilderness Area. Monument 78-83 Trail in Manning Park offers direct access to this remote mountain. Historically, Horseshoe Basin (not to be confused with Horseshoe Basin in the Pasayten Wilderness) has not been especially hospitable to visitors. Windy Peak (8,334 ft): one of Washington's highest summits that can be accessed by a trail. Of course wouldnt you know? This includes side trips, extensions After Lucky Pass, the trail has a few small rollers before making a big descent 1,500 over the next 3.5 miles to Diamond Creek, just past the 9 mile mark. Once this section of corridor is clear, well turn our attention to tread work. Pleaseremember to practice minimumimpact camping principles and Leave No Trace! "Other than that, the post was more or less accurate." Made it .7 miles before we ran into major blowdown. And 2, Where is the mine at Tungsten? The area has been long storied for its beauty and trout fishing, but was severely impacted by the 128,000 acre Diamond Creek Fire in 2017. I was post holing at times thigh deep. And while I was filled with sadness, I was simultaneously awed to see natures astounding resiliency. Directions: From the town of Loomis, travel north on County road #9425 for 2 miles to junction of #9425 and County road #4066. The next night you can either stay at a nice campsite near a spring just before the drop to Sheeite Pass or a nice tarn 100 yards to your left off trail, or continue on about 4 miles farther to the Tungsten Mine cabins or campsites.The smaller cabin has a sink in it with water from a gravity well behind the cabin. Day 6 Explored all of Horseshoe Mountain and dropped down into little Horseshoe Basin from a rocky trail at the NE backside of the mountain. (7), Climber's Log Entries Deer Park is to your right and Windy Peak is to your your left. I know the campsite you guys took! Middle Hidden turned up even more critters that included coyote, otter, and possibly even mink. 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. By now they have probably made it all the way to Sunny Pass. Louden Lake, Smith lake are pretty sweet too. Sunny, clear, and cool. The mosquitoes are bad so be prepared. Get to know this 20.1-km out-and-back trail near Tonasket, Washington. And humbling. Several campsites may be located in this area. 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. Cougar Lake was peacefully beautiful in the light of day and the air was full of the tiny meeps of pika. Nature will bear the closest inspection. Without hesitation Laurel and I climbed down the rocky slope to get a closer look. At the easterly edge of the Pasayten Wilderness, almost touching the Canadian border, lies a truly unique and beautifully remote place. Theyve clearly been burned away. Once this section of corridor is clear, well turn our attention to tread work. Man, everyone raves about that place, and it looks gorgeous. Washington's Pasayten Wilderness is a clash of cultures, geologic forces, and land-use ideologies. You can improve or add to this guidebook entry! Continue to Sunny Pass at trail mile 5, elevation 7200 ft. At the pass, Pick Peak is toyour left as well as the Windy Peak trail. Stay on FR 39 for about 14 miles, looking for a spur road signed for the Irongate Trailhead. Watched the harrier hawks and smaller falcons coasting the meadows for snacks. Snow showers, mainly after 11am. East Pasayten Wilderness: Horseshoe Basin to Teapot Dome Log Out and Maintenance - 07/18/2023 . The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. Log in and send us Tax ID: 27-3009280. The shortest route to get Cathedral Lakes (not coming from Canada) is roughly 19 miles. I watched in amazement as Laurel pulled margarita mix, limes, tequila, guacamole, and fresh carrots from her pack. Hiking season: year-round The best season: July through September The highest temperatures: 70-80F The lowest temperatures: 10-15F Winter average highs are 30-35F, and lows are 10-15F. Meanwhile, the nearest taller peak, Jack Mountain, sits 15 miles away. Contributions to WTA are tax deductible, and we are committed to making the best use of every donation to our mission. I'm currently living off-grid in a little Airstream while building a small solar-powered home. Despite the scars, it was breathtakingly beautiful. This is a popular trail for backpacking, birding, and camping, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. I was soggy and cold as we unpackeded camp, then Laurel asked, would you like a margarita?. updates, images, or resources. 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. The trail continues through burned forest until at 3.5 miles you break out into a large meadow. Some thunder is also possible. And best find of all, a large bull moose between Snehumption Gap and the South shoulder of Arnold. Didn't get any sleep the first night and my socks were gone in the morning. This side spurs do lead to some worthy destinations and could be incorporated into a longer or completely different trip. Here, make a right onto County Road 9425, and after 2 miles make a left onto Forest Road 39. It wasnt clear if the mules were coming or going, but we were surprised and delighted for this much solitude on a holiday weekend! We did not get to Windy Peak, but those we talked to who came from there said it was great. (7), Comments We bumped into a buck on our way up. NWS 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. Horseshoe Basin 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. 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. The Pacific Northwest Trail Association is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. In that cabin you could eat well for a month. Human-caused carelessness transformed nearly 40% of this beautiful wilderness into charred devastation that wont ever be the same in our lifetime. Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use. I got caught a bit unprepared by weather on Devils Dome my last night and hiked out hours later than expected with completely soaked gear. The work thats been done to clear the trail is impressive. When we reached the south end of First Hidden Lake, we saw tons of animal tracks in the dried end of the lake bed, just like the west side of Cougar Lake. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 5 h 23 min to complete. The trail starts high and stays high with up to 7,600 ft elevation. Wolframite Mountain + Bauerman Ridge + Teapot Dome. Bummer the bugs were so bad. We didnt arrive until midday on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend and fully expected a sea of cars. Thanks for the support of Western Washington Honda Dealers and our other corporate sponsors. When it was finally time to return to camp, we reluctantly gathered our gear, not really wanting to leave this magical place. First 3 miles of the trail were constant blow downs. What Ive loved most about getting involved with Conservation Northwests tracking program is that it really opens your eyes to the wilderness around you. Found water in the bushy streams near the zig zagging Albert Camp trail. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 46. If you wish you can continue with a topo map to several lakes you can fish. 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. Again, it was perfect walking weather. Chance of precipitation is 20%. adventures and follow local regulations. Low around 20. As an added bonus a bear came running down to the lake while we were cleaning up from our hike.but he promptly left once he heard our whistle. The Pasayten contains more than one-half-million acres of designated wilderness. As you enjoy a snack, enjoy your first sight of Horseshoe Basin, an area that begs further exploration. Here's some info. Hanging with Pip in the s, Happy #FireLookoutFriday! 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. Roundtrip distance to Horseshoe Basin is 20 miles. A chance of showers. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. Note how the trees are starting to silver and keep your eyes out wildlife, including porcupines and woodpeckers. Your gift is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Cool to watch them. This lake bed was such a delightful surprise and in it we found the tracks of moose, deer, and a black bear. Lynard Skynard. 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. WTA worked here in 2019, 2018, 2015 and 2014! Aside from a couple we passed back near the historic cabins, Laurel and I had seen no one else all weekend. far. There wasnt another soul around. On this backcountry trip our crew will backpack out to Fireplace Camp at the foot of Haig Mountain on the PNT/. Right along the trail were two enormous horse camps with safe unburned trees and lots of rocks and logs for lounging. Amazing sunsets from here. 6150 FT. Join me as I share my love of the PNW and beyond, especially the beautiful Valley I'm lucky to call home! Great views and wonderful open valleys. Multiple locations were found. Every stand of trees, rock outcropping, and flower display has a special feel, like it was all painstakingly handcrafted. away. Secure the necessary permits before heading out. Horseshoe Basin, Pasayten Wilderness, 6/30-7/1/06. We watched giddily as he made laps all over the lake, slapping his tail as he went. If I go back I'd like to see the tunnels if they are still open. A slight chance of rain and snow showers before 11am, then a slight chance of rain showers. Log in and send us I'm so very grateful. Elevation gain: Just under 4,000 vertical feet for the round trip to Horseshoe Basin. In a short tenth of a mile the Albert Camp Trail is to your right. Washington Trails Association is 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Walked out to Smith lake and had dinner there. Along the way through the burnt trees there are 6 ft new growing pine trees helping to lush up the trail. Sedro-Woolley, Washington 98284. West wind 5 to 9 mph becoming east after midnight. Its hard to hike through this scorched area and not feel enormous sadness, loss, and frustration at human impacts. This is your last chance to refill water bottles, so take the time to do so here. It's hard to tell, but the fish is actually a cutt. Nice report! We sat down, enjoying the amazing solitude, the huge views stretched out before us, and the unbelievable blue sky. WTA Pro Tip: Save a copy of our directions before you leave! Total nighttime snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible. Helping people explore, conserve, learn about, and enjoy the lands and waters of the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Log in if you already have an account with us. Be warned, this road is quite rough high clearance vehicles are necessary to negotiate it. Unfortunately, sometimes the weather and other unforeseen circumstances may cause us to cancel or reschedule an event. A great backpacking destination with several options for exploring. 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