The forest road FS70 was fine up until 1 mile from Government Meadows, the trailhead for this hike. Snow was deep and slushy, just added a mile extension.
Government Meadows trailhead was a mess from the hundreds of beer bottles/can and fires from the selfish people the year before.
The trail to the PCT was quite easy to follow.
Once at that junction, the trail was impossible to follow due to the deep snow. No trail makers to be seen on any tree, occasionally seeing the sawed trees. Used maps, phone to get to the trail locations. Poles/spikes were used. Saw lots of fresh elk tracks, fresh warm bear scat, wildlife was nearby for sure.
This added a lot time and scrambling extra distance through lots of terrain. For this reason I recommend people to wait a month or so before they go on this trail. I believe we were the first on this trail section this year and possibly since the fires last year.
Going down the switchbacks to Rods gap was great, amazing sights.
Once leaving Louisiana Saddle the trail was once more gone.
Hiking through the burn area was great, like another planet. I had no idea where the Arch Rock trail left the PCT, so we continued further up the PCT and I believe went to the same ridge as Arch Rock, I hiked to many of the rock peaks, I couldn't be sure. Lots of trees on the trail, burned trees for miles. The flowers and greenery is coming back, will be great to see in a month.
No one else on the trail.
Great hike, quite hard, was about 20 miles, took about 11 hours. Loved it.
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