North Fork Quinault trail washouts... beta please

[banos]

Am undertaking the Bailey Traverse end of Aug... am currently planning on exiting out the NF Quinault trail but have heard about the washouts @ 9 mile, 12 mile and 16 mile... Anyone out there have any recent beta to share?? Is this trail currently passable, or is Skyline Ridge my new exit plan?

 

Any beta much appreciated!

[olyclimber]

If you can hike the Bailey Traverse you should be able to get through a couple of washouts! See the pics here:

 

http://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/north-for-quinault.htm

 

 

 

From the national park website as of last month:

 

 

 

Trail is snow-free; all campsites are melted-out. Clear of down trees and stock passable to the 10-mile mark; numerous down trees above. Severe washout at creek at 9-mile mark involves traversing unstable terrain. Although much of the Twelve Mile area has been buried in gravel, there are campsites available. Trail through the Twelve Mile area completely washed away; follow the flagging along the the creek just prior to the washout and continue along the river until the trail resumes. Major washout at first creek above Sixteen Mile with several down trees; another above also with several down trees and unstable terrain. Only two down trees between Glacier Creek and Low Divide.

 

Wild Rose Creek ford is currently 1 ft. deep.

 

Sixteen Mile ford is currently 16 inches deep.

 

As noted above, there are numerous hazardous washouts that require technical skill to cross safely.

 

The trail is stock passable to Stalding Creek, stock ford there has been completed. The remainder of the trail remains under repair.

 

12-mile bear wire is down and the shelter is buried in gravel.

 

Most campsites at Halfway House and Elip Creek have washed away.

 

The Stalding Creek Bridge has been washed away. The creek can be difficult to ford. Stock ford area has been completed and is now safe to cross.

 

Sixteen Mile crossing can be hazardous or impossible to cross in spring and/or after heavy precipitation.

 

 

 

[banos]

Thanks.. I've seen those pics... You're right, they wouldn't deter my trip... Was just hoping someone had actually crossed the washouts and could share their thoughts..

 

May finish via Skyline Ridge regardless..

[silence]

some more pix and talk here: http://www.nwhikers.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=7977147&highlight=north+fork+quinault

Edited August 8, 2009 by silence

[banos]

Thanks much... won't let those washouts worry me/us... tho still may just do the Skyline Ridge trail home..

[silence]

n fork quinault .. no probs anymore .. all are repaired except one and it's a piece of cake