Update, to see the extent of the burn, and the soil burn, use link below,
http://centralwashingtonfirerecovery.info/2017/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Norse-Peak-Soil-Burn-Severity-Map-ps-1.pdf
I started at Dalles Creek.
There's a tiny bit of snow at Snoquera Creek. From mile 5.5-5.8 (6.0 is the last overlook from the palisades) there were a few snow crossings, none of these were too challenging or scary (I am a 3.5 out of 10 when it comes to snow crossing skill and daring).
After 6.0 the trail turns east, goes north of Little Ranger Peak into the section built by the Boy Scouts.
At 6.2 it enters the area that is completely burnt. The trees here were burnt from the bottom, the tops, with their mass, are still intact. The trees were about the only flora up there, without their roots, the ground is very soft, the elk are post-holing 2 feet down. I went .3 of a mile, only 40% of the trail is left in that area. The ground is eroding away and this up on a ridge! A trail runner who completed the loop caught up with me on the way down, he said that the conditions were the same all the way from where I was to a mile+ down the Ranger Creek Trail, for a total of 3 miles he thought. He did not have fun in burnt areas.
I think the forest service warning is spot on. You probably won't have a tree fall on you (unless you try to push one over), but you could break an ankle postholing into the dirt.
I'm curious about what happens on this ridge and in the other adjacent burnt areas, I am guessing that this ridge will wash away to the volcanic rock below. I love this network of trails, it is sad to see them diminished.
I was looking for an open passage to Noble Knob (it won't be long until it's in bloom), I'll keep you posted..
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