Glacier Peak Wilderness is a particularly rough, remote, and wild place. Immense effort has been made to improve access in Glacier Peak Wilderness in recent years. Still, much work remains. Unfortunately, wildfires have repeatedly impacted trail crews' scheduled work. The PCT in the area is largely not suitable for horses and stock until it is repaired. Some areas, especially in Milk Creek, present challenges to hikers as well. Serious caution is advised. Many people would be wise to plan trips elsewhere. Click the "PCT Closure Map" button to see these locations on a map.

Updates about work completed so far this summer

- On the Suiattle River Trail, the Canyon Creek Bridge has been replaced. Logout has been completed to Canyon Creek. A horse ford is being put in about a mile before Canyon Creek due to another minor bridge having deteriorated. - On the PCT, the foot log across lower Miners Creek (mile 2547.5) has been replaced. - The Suiattle River Trail has been made stock-passable up the river, and north along the PCT to the junction with the lower Miner's Ridge Trail. Miner's Ridge and Miner's Cabin trails have been cleared and are passable for very capable and experienced stock. - The North Fork Sauk River Trail has been logged out and brushed to White Pass. Repairing trails that connect to the PCT is essential so that trail crews and their animals can access the PCT itself to perform work.

Decades-long challenges continue

From south to north: - Broadly, the PCT between Baekos Creek (mile 2512) and the Suiattle River Trail (mile 2544) is impacted by numerous down trees, washouts, and narrow sections of trail tread. The bridge across Baekos Creek is broken and not passable for stock animals. Logs, some as large as 6 feet in diameter, make the trail especially difficult as you cross Vista Ridge (mile 2534-2537). - Be aware that Kennedy Creek (mile 2515.5) remains a permanently unbridged crossing. It has been many years since the bridge washed away. It will not be replaced. The ford of this opaque, glacial sediment filled creek is often difficult. The creek can rise dramatically during periods of high snowmelt as well as during and after storms. - Fire Creek Pass (mile ~2523) is a particularly snowbound and steep obstacle for hikers early in the year. - The PCT through Milk Creek drainage (miles 2524-2532) is heavily damaged. Reports indicate that sections of the trail are overly narrow, or washed away, on steep slopes. High brush chokes the trail. Some hikers report feeling that the area is dangerous. - A large avalanche path, choked with trees, off of Plummer Mountain (mile ~2553) in the upper Miner’s Creek area blocks access for stock animals. Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest does an outstanding job stewarding trail and road conditions on their website. Visit the link:

In short, be prepared!

Photo of PCTA working on Vista Ridge by Donald Sanderson.