Arch Rock Trail #1187. Coming off the PCT going north, we were advised by a Ranger at REI that this trail was a good exit point down to Echo Lake through Old Growth forest and out along the Greenwater Trail to FR 70. Unfortunately the Ranger appears to not know the trail area was severely burned in 2018. At the trail junction with the PCT the trail signs were laying on the ground. Coming north down to the green Airplane Meadow (good water) we afterwards found the trail hard to follow and lost it for a while.
Thanks to GPS and good map we rediscovered the trail up on the ridge and found it difficult to follow down to Echo Lake. The ground was burned down to the mineral soil and little vegetation had returned. Over the next miles down to Echo Lake as it was covered in dozens of burned blowdown trees, ash and dust. We found little water, and what was evident was down in a steep gully paralleling the trail. The burn area went down to and around Echo Lake. I recommend this trail only to experienced hikers with good map and compass knowledge and use of GPS.
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