Big shout out to the trail crew who cleared the trails of logs! Started from Hart's Pass TH going north on the PCT. Fine views and ripe huckleberries everywhere. This section is pretty dry, although, with only reliable water just before Buffalo Pass and Shaw Creek. I should have packed more water. Kind of forced me to make it a little further than planned to Shaw Creek Camp. Was planning a leisurely two-nights/three-days backpack, but did this loop in one-night/two-days. Shaw Creek Camp was dry (but also meant no bugs) and full of PCT hikers. Amazed how many folks I passed on the PCT for a Wednesday. PCT in excellent shape-like a highway compared to rest of loop.
Next day hiked to Holman Pass, which was dry as well, then turned onto the Holman Creek Trail. Water sources started halfway down Holman Creek Trail. Unfortunately, this part of the loop was not what I expected. Holman Creek and West Fork Pasayten trails were both pretty overgrown with many muddy patches. Looked like they had boardwalks awhile ago but removed them to make it easier for stock animals. If the trail crew had not cleared this section of fallen trees, this would have been awful to hike. The plus side is that I did not see a single soul on this part of the loop until Slate Pass. Camps all along this part of the loop with plenty of water sources. The last one before ascent to Slate Pass looked really nice. Beautiful views once again getting out of the tree-line to Slate Pass. Got a ride from the pass back to the trailhead that saved me about a mile walking. Thanks again, Bob. You can toss that old water bottle that fell out of my pack that was left in your rig. I needed to replace it anyway.
Can't say I would do this loop again mainly because of the condition of the Holman Creek and West Fork Pasayten trails. Another thing that took away some from the landscape were the many trees that had brown tips, another impact from our changing climate. But the views of the surrounding mountains are still stunning!
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