[pct-l] South Washington PCT Questions

[pctl at marcusschwartz.com]

1. There were some mosquitoes in the evenings when I was there in
early September.  My guess is that it'll probably be significantly
worse in early August, and in a wetter year.

2. Last I heard (which may have changed since September), Road 23 was
closed somewhere west of the PCT.  So, it's currently a road from
Trout Lake to nowhere.  So you don't see a lot of through traffic.

Fortunately, Trout Lake is maybe the most hiker-friendly town on the
trail.  They've set up a phone number you can call to get a ride from
one of the town's many trail angels.  They'll drive out and pick you
up.  There's cell phone coverage about 2 miles south of the road, but
*NOT* at the road, so be sure to check Halfmile's app (or your phone's
signal strength).  The town has a section of their website with more
information (including the phone number):
http://troutlakewashington.com/pacific-crest-trail-hiker-information/

During the height of PCT season, you might be able to hitch without a
phone call, just because so many PCT hikers are coming through, so
trail angels may be there anyway.  I think early August is probably
too early for this.

To hike back, you can ask around at the general store, or at the
restaurant/gas station, or just stand in the middle of town and stick
your thumb out.  It's not unlikely that someone will talk to you and
offer a ride.  In my case, someone actually approached my group the
night before and made an appointment to drive me back to the trail the
next morning.  They really, really go out of their way to help hikers
here.

I'm not sure which road Paint Your Wagon was talking about as the more
southerly route.

3. I can't remember.

As for places to stay, I personally enjoyed the bed and breakfast. 
It's more expensive than the general store's spare rooms, but it's
plush and nicely-decorated, and altogether a nice blast of
civilization in the middle of a fairly remote part of the trail.  I'm
a sucker for that kind of thing.  Anywhere else it would be a great
deal for a nice place to stay, it's just that Trout Lake likes hikers
so much you might be able to stay cheaper elsewhere.

 -=Town Food

----- Original Message -----
From: "Garrett" <gar1138 at yahoo.com>
To:"pct-l at backcountry.net" <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Cc:
Sent:Tue, 2 May 2017 16:56:19 +0000 (UTC)
Subject:[pct-l] South Washington PCT Questions

 Hello, long time reader, first time poster. :-)  I completed the
Oregon PCT in sections over the last two summers.  This summer (2017)
I plan to hike from Cascade Locks to Snoqualmie Pass in roughly the
first two weeks of August.  After researching a bunch, I have a few
quick questions:

 1.  Any thoughts on snow or mosquitos?  I'm hoping that the heavy
winter snow this year won't be much of an issue then.

 2.  I will be resupplying and spending a night in Trout Lake (I hear
nothing but good things about Trout Lake).  How difficult is it to
hitch a ride into town from the trail (and back the next day)?  Most
accounts say it is fairly easy, but having never hitch-hiked before it
does give me slight pause.

 3.  Are there any difficult stream crossings or fords that I will
need to be aware of?

 Much appreciated, thanks.

 Garrett
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