[pct-l] washington flooding

[CMountainDave at aol.com (CMountainDave@xxxxxxx)]

In a message dated 10/30/03 9:16:47 AM, Steven.Setzer@Colorado.EDU writes:

<< What are the chances that the damage to the PCT caused by the flooding in
Washington will be repaired for next year's pct04 class?

How much may be closed?  I looked at some maps yesterday and it looks like
Stevens Pass to Rainy Pass is the best part.

Steve >>

There is no way, given the USFS budget, that all the damage done can be 
repaired. Most small creeks will just require improvised foot logs. The biggies 
will have to be forded very early in AM if at all. I imagine temporary log 
bridges will be built given the high priority of the PCT. Of course they will be 
washed away in a couple of years, but they are a lot cheaper than a major wide 
bridge
  I look for the possibility that the PCT will change in the area of Glacier 
Peak. The bridges there get washed out every five years. Too much precip and 
very narrow canyons carved by glacier fed streams make it impossible to build 
any crossing with any sense of permanence. I believe there will be a push for 
an alternate route around the East side of Glacier Peak where precip is not as 
severe, perhaps linking the upper White River drainage to the upper Suiattle 
River. 
    From Agnes creek on is probably okay. Snoqualmie to Stevens? Haven't 
heard. Everything south of Rainier is probably okay too --they missed the brunt of 
the storm
  As for the best part of WA, Goat Rocks, Mt Adams, Alpine Lakes, and 
Pasayten wildernesses would like to challenge Glacier Peak to a wet polartec tee 
shirt contest