Ptarmigan Traverse Exit

[Mal Con eh]

Last weekend I went up Downey Creek to check out the route. The trailhead parking lot is open and the danger trees removed. WTA BCRT has removed all but two of the blowdowns on the trail to Bachelor Creek and camped there. Went up Bachlor creek and trail is easy up to the switchbacks. When you encounter the first Avalanche track the brush is over your head but trail passable. Above there are a few flags and a follow able tread. After the last flag the trail pretty much disappears into slide alder and mud. I spent an hour or so where the creek crossing is supposed to be trying to find any tread without success. Only a little snow on northern exposures around 6000'. The tread has been totally destroyed above the crossing by slides and brush growth. Expect to spend considerable time in this area on the way out.