Cloudy Low: 14 F Sunday Partly Sunny then Scattered Snow Showers High: 30 F Sunday Night Snow Showers Likely then Mostly Cloudy Low: 15 F Monday Mostly Sunny then Isolated Snow Showers High: 33 F Monday Night Isolated Snow Showers then Partly Cloudy Low: 16 F Tuesday Mostly Sunny High: 32 F Tuesday Night Partly Cloudy Low: 17 F Wednesday Log in and send us & Four Point Lake. Mountaineers Books is a registered trademark of The Mountaineers, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Day 5 Fogged in this morning. Summer average highs are 70-80F, and lows are 35-45F. Having been to Horseshoe Basin/Pasayten twice, I think the best campsites are on the lower SW slopes of Armstrong Mountain and South of Snehumption Gap. This lake bed was such a delightful surprise and in it we found the tracks of moose, deer, and a black bear. Far up the Lost River Valley of the Pasayten, only 10 miles south of the Canadian border, lie a chain of four gorgeous lakes: Cougar Lake, First Hidden Lake, Middle Hidden Lake, and Big Hidden Lake. The trail is super easy this way. Melting snowbanks usually provide water through mid-summer. Horse trailers and larger or low-clearance vehicles park at the lower trailhead but most cars should be able to make it all the way to the end. There are no resources for this route/place. Distance: 7.3 miles | Elevation Gain: 1,270. I agree. A 50 percent chance of snow showers. Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. 2023 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. Packed up and moved camp to a Col half way up Horseshoe Mtn. Happy trails! I left my telephoto lens at the trailhead. But never a more worthy effort, Foist. Its no secret to most who know me that the Pasayten Wilderness, which spans over 531,000 acres on Washingtons northeast border with Canada, is one of my favorite places to explore. Please explore responsibly! trip reports for this trail. But from Seattle, oh, it is 5 cars in the lot, one park ranger truck, 3 SUVs and a banged up Geo Metro with a note saying they were in the backcountry UNTIL SEPT 26! Both of these trails can be included as loops as well - Check your map! Along the way, the PNT crosses three national parks, seven national forests, and two other national scenic trails. Did you know WTA has a mobile app? Thanks Lead Dog! Please note, this is a physically challenging trip in a rugged and remote wilderness area. It was down off the trail next to a creek, right? Washington Trails Association Helping people explore, conserve, learn about, and enjoy the lands and waters of the Pacific Northwest and beyond. If we make any changes to an event . Returning via the Boundary Trail adds about a mile to the walk. On this backcountry trip our crew will backpack out to Fireplace Camp at the foot of Haig Mountain on the PNT/ Boundary TR 533. At 1.5 miles cross a tributary of Clutch Creek, the only consistent water source until Horseshoe Basin. PNTA sawyers can also use volunteer swampers to help remove freshly cut branches and logs from the trail. The area has been long storied for its beauty and trout fishing, but was severely impacted by the 128,000 acre Diamond Creek Fire in 2017. Head up 1 mile to a 7700 ft shoulder and then traverse open slopes to the summit of Horseshoe Mountain. Water in the creek at a mile and a half in. My husband and I chose this hike looking for solitude, high alpine, and a region we could day trip from a central base camp. PNTA is proud to work with corporate partners to build a world-class experience for all who wander along the Pacific Northwest Trail. The conditions worsened over night with high winds and light snow the entire night. | Download for iOS | Download for Android, At the easterly edge of the Pasayten Wilderness, almost touching the Canadian border, lies a truly unique and beautifully remote place. The morning light perfectly illuminated all of the little flying critters and we sat there for over an hour, watching this incredible dance of nature. Watched the harrier hawks and smaller falcons coasting the meadows for snacks. I consent to my submitted data being collected and stored as outlined by the site . From Sunny Pass the trail has long sections of deep snow. Depending on the day, it is a whiff of wood smoke or horse turds, arid Okanagan breezes or . I was there in the fall of '01, and the rats had full run of the place, day and night. While fire is a very natural process in many wilderness areas, especially the Pasayten, the Diamond Creek Fire in 2017 was not natural. 1am PDT Apr 18, 2023-6pm PDT Apr 24, 2023, Excessive Rainfall and Winter Weather Forecasts, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It was all these feelings, along with surprising solitude and an astounding variety of animal tracks, that made the 3 days I spent with my friend near Hidden Lakes a trip I wont soon forget. What is on the Canadian side? . We decided to keep our cozy camp at Cougar Lake and day hike to Big Hidden Lake with lighter packs. Water is scarce along this section of trail and in the heat of summer this area can be a scorcher due to the lack of tree cover. Boundary Trail - Pasayten, Horseshoe Basin, Arnold Peak, Horseshoe Mountain, Goodenough Peak. The short side trip to the top of Horseshoe Mountain only adds a few hundred vertical feet. Water in the creek at a mile and a half in. We camped overnight at the Iron Gate trailhead and our plan was to make our way to Louden lake to set up base camp. We took our breakfast to the sunny spot along the lake we visited the previous day and reveled in the solitude and beauty. Follow the trail to the trail intersection at WP4 and then take a 1.8-mile roundtrip jaunt up Topaz Mountain. Total nighttime snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible. Great views and wonderful open valleys. Spring average highs are 50-60F, and lows are 15-30F. Allow plenty of time to explore Horseshoe Basin by camping at the trailhead, where primitive camping without a water source is available. It's hard to tell, but the fish is actually a cutt. Breezy, with a west wind 18 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. Other reviewers have adequately chronicled this hike. Every stand of trees, rock outcropping, and flower display has a special feel, like it was all painstakingly handcrafted. I spent a week there about 3 years ago. The two times I've been there there was always a stiff wind that kept them down, but the wind also made it pretty chilly, even on a midsummer day. Haig Mountain + Rock Mountain 7641 + Armstrong Mountain SE Peak + Arnold Peak. It is also nice to see Louden Lake as something other than a muddy patch of ground. Louden Lake, Smith lake are pretty sweet too. Ignore the review posted by the hiker in 2015 - that person is referring to a completely different trail near Cascade Pass and that isn't anywhere near this trail. When planning a trip to Horseshoe Basin please consult maps and otherguides as theadventure described below is one of many that may be done from this trailhead. Tax ID: 27-3009280. Horseshoe Basin is one of the few places in the Lower 48 to contain alpine tundra and is home to bears, deer and pronghorn sheep, if you know where to look. The lake was low and completely cut off. If day hiking, a scramble up Pick Peak or a short jaunt up the Albert Camp Trail may be in order as this is a good turn around spot. https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/horseshoe-basin-pasayten, https://www.wta.org/site_images/hikes/horseshoe-basin_lets-go-bobby.jpg/@@download/image/Horseshoe Basin. The Hidden Lakes and Billy Goat area of the Pasayten had been on my radar for many years, but I hadnt planned to get there on this particular trip. 418. Not seeing a title that fits your trip? We watched giddily as he made laps all over the lake, slapping his tail as he went. I know the campsite you guys took! Man, everyone raves about that place, and it looks gorgeous. Day 3 Loop to Goodenough Peak, returned via the old trail to the camp near the cattle gate, then traversed up the East shoulder of Arnold Peak and down the West side through Snehumption Gap. This is your last chance to refill water bottles, so take the time to do so here. Much of the trail to Horseshoe Basin skirts the remnants of this fire. Weather and Snow National Weather Service Forecast NOAA Snow Depth Map Lists that contain Horseshoe Mountain: Washington State Top 200 Peaks (Rank #197) . Tax ID: 27-3009280. Adult participantsmay backpack in/out of the backcountry camp on their own timeframe; however, unaccompanied minors must remain with the crew for the full duration of the trip. Tried Clutch Creek and Deer Park trails but same: massive blow downs. Of course wouldnt you know? REI / New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible. Hanging with Pip in the s, Happy #FireLookoutFriday! The next night you can either stay at a nice campsite near a spring just before the drop to Sheeite Pass or a nice tarn 100 yards to your left off trail, or continue on about 4 miles farther to the Tungsten Mine cabins or campsites.The smaller cabin has a sink in it with water from a gravity well behind the cabin. Continue on the spur road for nearly six miles until you arrive at the trailhead. Itll kick back a few cents to me thatll buy my pup an extra post-adventure treat! The cabins are full of rodents however. Sooperfly I have 2 questions. I was post holing at times thigh deep. And humbling. We had stopped in at the ranger station in Tonasket to look for any suggestions on our itinerary and the ranger had referred to Louden as a shitholeI have to disagree. Beautiful, sunny morning on June 11, 2022 for our day hike to the Basin. Continue on this rough road for about 6 miles to the trailhead (6,160 ft). No conditions reported in the past 7 days. I also recommend windy peak and Mt Bonaparte if your in the area. For example, theAconcagua mountain page has the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits' asparents and is a parent itself to many routes, photos, and Trip Reports. I've only been there the one time, so this is all I know. Log in and send us DAY ONE: 5-ish miles to a wide enough spot in the trail to place a tent. Some thunder is also possible. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Having been to Horseshoe Basin/Pasayten twice, I think the best campsites are on the lower SW slopes of Armstrong Mountain and South of Snehumption Gap. Not deterred by a little tree hopping and route finding, we continued along Middle Hidden Lake and yet again, took a long break to explore more tracks in the dry lake bed. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. And every time I visit the Pasayten it opens all of my senses in a way no other place does. So much in nature goes completely unnoticed until you truly sit down, be still, watch, and listen. The whole walk from Upper Cathedral Basin to the Spanish Creek trail is just sublime. Volunteers will have the opportunity to camp out with the crew. Go. Your gift is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. I am planning a multi day scout hike into this area for next summer, does anyone have any suggestions for this area on where to go? In that cabin you could eat well for a month. 1, Wouldn't there be a good chance of contracting Hanta Virus from staying in the cabins? Its home to an astounding array of wildlife, including the largest population of lynx in the lower 48 as well as deer, moose, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and wolves. Once this section of corridor is clear, well turn our attention to tread work. 705 2nd Ave, Suite 300 Also don't forget your camera. The Similkameen Trail is a short section of the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail(PNT) as it heads west from the the town of Oroville, WA following an old railroad grade in the heart of the Okanagan.From the trailhead in town you'll head west for 1.5 miles before coming to an alternate trail headalong Loomis-Oroville Highway. We sat down, enjoying the amazing solitude, the huge views stretched out before us, and the unbelievable blue sky. Our favorite park in Canada, Cathedral Lakes, is just across the border and hoped Horseshoe basin would offer a similar experience. Monument 78-83 Trail in Manning Park offers direct access to this remote mountain. Get to know this 20.1-km out-and-back trail near Tonasket, Washington. The green grass changes the whole feel of the place compared to the toasty brown of late fall. Isn't that a great place? Please select one of the following: A 50 percent chance of snow showers. We had Louden all to ourselves. This is a popular trail for backpacking, birding, and camping, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Washington Trails Association is 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Good news, the PNT trail crew, as of 6/24, had already cleared all of the blow downs up to Clutch Creek. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. What Ive loved most about getting involved with Conservation Northwests tracking program is that it really opens your eyes to the wilderness around you. Laurel works full time with Conservation Northwest specializing in Conservation Restoration Ecology. Located in the Pasayten Wilderness and one of the northernmost parts of the state, Horseshoe Basin is worth the drive to get there. The Diamond Creek bridge was protected during the fire and is surprisingly still intact. Smith Lake is interesting as is Louden Lake. The Pacific Northwest Trail Association is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Arrive at Loomis in 16 miles and turn right onto County Road 9425. The trail gradually descendsthrough the forest for a short but when you get your first taste of whats to come. Back to top: Grinch Local Burger Tester Joined: 03 Oct 2003 Posts: 453 | TRs | Pics Location: Issaquah, WA: Grinch. Wildflowers/Meadows Mountain views Wildlife Established campsites Ridges/passes Dogs allowed on leash Deer Park is to your right and Windy Peak is to your your left. oe 1tHE OFan STHE NATIONAL FORESTS OF WASHINGTON AT WHATCOM PASSWASHINGTON NATIONAL FOREST a oe let 2 ee i ; | United States Department of Agriculture :: Forest Service :: 1920 WELCOME TO NATIONAL FORESTS SPIRIT LAKECOLUMBIA NATIONAL FOREST U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICUETURE . Note how the trees are starting to silver and keep your eyes out wildlife, including porcupines and woodpeckers. The 6 mile spur dirt road signed Irongate Trailhead is a bit rough in a few sections but is not a problem if you have a high clearance vehicle. Turn right and in 0.1 mile turn onto the Albert Camp Trail. http://ftp.cdc.gov/pub/EID/vol3no2/adobe/jay.pdf. Photo by Wild Side.jpeg, Hiker Headlines: WTA Now Hiring, Highway Spring Cleaning, Trails Reopen, Upcoming Snowy Weekend. Theres a small camping area right off the trail with easy access to water, but its surrounded by a lot of soot and burned, unstable trees. HUGE electrical storm that night, thunder and lighting, quite the show. If staying here to explore the adjacent peaks should be scrambled up. We had originally planned to camp here for the night but decided to push on a few more miles to Cougar Lake to see if we could find a safer and more private camp spot. Nice report and great pics. If you need more info I would be glad to help. Read More >, Local Forecast OfficeMore Local Wx3 Day HistoryMobile WeatherHourly Weather Forecast, Chance SnowShowers thenSlight ChanceRain/Snow, Zone Area Forecast for Upper Slopes of the Eastern Washington Cascades Crest, WA. updates, images, or resources. Historic, archived document Do not assume content reflects current scientific knowledge, policies, or practices. Weather was partly cloudy and cool, in the 50s. Take in the expansiveness of the area. 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