This loop trail is called the “Chinook Pass Loop” and described in the book Backpacking Washington. I started at the Union Creek Trailhead off of Hwy 410. Within a couple of miles I encountered the remnants of the Norse Mountain fire of 2017. In places the trail is buried by fallen trees and difficult to navigate. I had finally hiked out of what I hoped was the last of the fire and actually was able to hike on a clear trail for about a mile when I encountered a stand of trees which had been leveled by an avalanche this past winter. Rather than trying to follow the trail, I chose to try to find the least difficult way across the damage, then hook up with the trail on the other side. Unfortunately, I missed a couple of switchbacks in the process and ended up well below the trail on a rather steep slope. After some serious uphill scrambling/rock climbing, I was reunited with the trail.
The PCT is clearly where the trail maintenance work is done and was clear sailing. It is unfortunate the amount of use that the campsites get along this trail. I have found through and section hikers to not always be mindful about camping away from lakes and honoring others’ wilderness experiences. I am always glad when I am able to get off the PCT again.
I dropped off the PCT onto the American Ridge trail, which was in good shape up until the junction with Trail #969 – Mesatchee Creek. After that, it became very difficult to find and follow at times, as has been detailed by hikers before me. I had visited the USFS site and read this trail report dated July 2019: Trail is in good condition. The natural slide slope and grade are very sustainable. 36 trees cleared from American lake to 2 miles from mesatchee. 36 trees cleared entire trail. So I was hopeful that the trail was in better shape, but clearly they had only worked the trail before the Mesatchee junction and not the trail between that junction and Kettle Lake. That part of the trail was simply impossible to find and follow in spots. Fortunately I had some boot prints to follow when the soil was conducive for leaving prints. Most of the time, I was on my own. If you choose to hike this route, be prepared to find your way without a trail for much of it.
The Kettle Creek Trail was in fairly good shape although it also traveled through some burned areas. I exited that trail across the American River and through the Pleasant Valley Campground, then crossed 410 and hiked the Pleasant Valley trail back to my car at the trailhead.
The mosquitoes were prolific and annoying along almost the entire trail. Some black flies as well. I was very glad that I had brought my bug spray and netting with me! That said, I still came home with dozens (hundreds??) of bites.
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