(45). Continue on this rough road for about 6 miles to the trailhead (6,160 ft). Please explore responsibly! Trail: Boundary Trail (533) to Horseshoe Basin and beyond Area: Pasayten Wilderness, Okanogan NF, Loomis Access: Loomis, FS 39 (Toats Coulee Road) to FS (3900)500 to Iron Gate "Campground" Length: Up to 94 Miles, 7.2 mls to Louden Lake, 12 miles to Haig Mtn. Enjoy this 12.5-mile out-and-back trail near Tonasket, Washington. Log in and send us The unmarked horse trail made for a nice grade into a smaller basin with wildflowers and saw a pair of bucks just before the burned area. Located in the Pasayten Wilderness and surrounded by Amphitheater Mountain and Cathedral Peak, Cathedral Lakes are a great destination for a multi-day backpacking trip. App-based driving directions aren't always accurate and data connections may be unreliable as you drive to the trailhead. Most of us are so consumed with getting from point A to point B and marveling at the big grand vistas when were outside that we miss all of these tiny, magical moments that truly make nature a gift. 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 and I spent our last day at Cougar Lake lazily, not really wanting to leave. Meanwhile, the nearest taller peak, Jack Mountain, sits 15 miles away. Along the way through the burnt trees there are 6 ft new growing pine trees helping to lush up the trail. Please select one of the following: A 50 percent chance of snow showers. I also recommend windy peak and Mt Bonaparte if your in the area. The trail continues for another 60+ miles(even further if you want to connect to one of the other trails through the wilderness)if your really into it but I think that the best of it is at Horseshoe Basin. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. This side spurs do lead to some worthy destinations and could be incorporated into a longer or completely different trip. You can improve or add to this guidebook entry! Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches have been issued. The lake was low and completely cut off. One of my favorite spots to day hike (we have cabin about 45 min from trailhead) wildflowers are amazing after the snow melts. Most of the forested slopes were burnt to a crisp, but pockets of green trees still remained here and there. The Pacific Northwest Trail Association is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. At the very end of August, I spent 6 days backpacking over 80 miles inside the Pasayten, first completing a stunning solo backpack loop around Devils Dome on its west side, then joining up with a friend to explore around the Hidden Lakes of the central Pasayten. It wasnt clear if the mules were coming or going, but we were surprised and delighted for this much solitude on a holiday weekend! As you enjoy a snack, enjoy your first sight of Horseshoe Basin, an area that begs further exploration. At 1.5 mi cross Clutch Creek. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. After sleuthing out and identifying all the tracks, Laurel discovered that the lake was somehow draining underground. From the trailhead, enter a forest still bearing scars from the 2006 Tripod Fire. The last mile to the trailhead turns a bit rougher and narrow. Chance of precipitation is 80%. DAY ONE: 5-ish miles to a wide enough spot in the trail to place a tent. Id look closer and see plants regrowing and wildlife thriving. Horseshoe Basin is one of the few places in the Lower 48 to contain arctic tundra and is home to bears, deer and pronghorn sheep, if you know where to look. Please note, all work party projects are subject to change. At the easterly edge of the Pasayten Wilderness, almost touching the Canadian border, lies a truly unique and beautifully remote place. On this backcountry trip our crew will backpack out to Fireplace Camp at the foot of Haig Mountain on the PNT/ Boundary TR 533. The brushy 1.5-mile spur trail into Horseshoe Basin (accessed from the main east-west Stehekin River Trail below Cascade Pass) had become overgrown in places to the point of near impenetrability. Sunny Pass is the perfect place for a picnic lunch. West wind 5 to 9 mph becoming east after midnight. "Other than that, the post was more or less accurate." Combined with North Cascades National Park and Ross Lake National Recreation Area to the west, and the Canadian roadless areas to the north, the region has more than one million acres of wild lands. Continue reading, 132 Spring average highs are 50-60F, and lows are 15-30F. Theyve clearly been burned away. If you to the Tungsten Mine cabins, I wouldn't recommend staying in them. The trail gradually descendsthrough the forest for a short but when you get your first taste of whats to come. But never a more worthy effort, Foist. Lost Peak, Pass Butte, and Many Trails Peak dominate the landscape. Laurel and I reached the east bank of Cougar Lake just as darkness fell and switched on our headlamps to scope out a camp site. Great little hike with some awesome waterfalls at the end. There are no resources for this route/place. Directions: From the town of Loomis, travel north on County road #9425 for 2 miles to junction of #9425 and County road #4066. far. Be sure to hike Armstrong and get a picture of yourself at the US/Canadian border marker. Latest weather conditions and forecasts for the UK and the world. The trail is right off of the Cascade Pass Trail. Severe thunderstorms with damaging winds and large hail could occur over the central Plains Wednesday, northeast Texas into Arkansas on Thursday, and the lower Mississippi Valley on Friday. Both of these trails can be included as loops as well - Check your map! Back to top: Grinch Local Burger Tester Joined: 03 Oct 2003 Posts: 453 | TRs | Pics Location: Issaquah, WA: Grinch. This makes a perfect campsite for your first night or a good location to set up base camp to explore your immediate surroundings for a day or two. Once this section of corridor is clear, well turn our attention to tread work. Ladybugs GALORE on the the top in the rock cairn. Itll kick back a few cents to me thatll buy my pup an extra post-adventure treat! Coveted by backpackers and strong hikers, Horseshoe Basin in the Pasayten Wilderness is a very strenuous 19.5 mile loop with 3,400 ft in elevation gain. Day 2 Up Armstrong mtn to monuments 103 and 104. Southwest wind 7 to 9 mph. Several campsites may be located in this area. Lead Dog has steered you right! Depending on the day, it is a whiff of wood smoke or horse turds, arid Okanagan breezes or . I was ready for a relaxing evening at camp! The Pacific Northwest Trail (PNT) is a 1200-mile hiking trail running from the Continental Divide in Montana to the Pacific Ocean on Washington 's Olympic Coast. This 10.5 mile hike from the Goodenough Trailhead takes about 7 hours on foot. All Rights Reserved. The reality? Elevation gain: Just under 4,000 vertical feet for the round trip to Horseshoe Basin. 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! , MSR / Chance of precipitation is 30%. There are also campsites on a hill just West of Louden Lake on the lower NE corner of Rock Mountain, and an a site with excellent views at Sunny Pass. We found ourselves drawn to the Billy Goat and Hidden Lakes area of the Pasayten. Arrive at Loomis in 16 miles and turn right onto County Road 9425. Continue to Sunny Pass at trail mile 5, elevation 7200 ft. At the pass, Pick Peak is toyour left as well as the Windy Peak trail. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 33. Washington Trails Association If life gives you melons - you might be dyslexic. 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. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 5 h 23 min to complete. At 7.1 miles from the trailhead come to Loudon Lake. A group of horse riders set up at Cougar camp. A great backpacking destination with several options for exploring. And best find of all, a large bull moose between Snehumption Gap and the South shoulder of Arnold. Good news, the PNT trail crew, as of 6/24, had already cleared all of the blow downs up to Clutch Creek. We found tiny underwater snails on the logs, saw trout jumping from the lake, and could have stayed here for days, soaking it all in. Some thunder is also possible. I see all the different species that use the land, how they move and how they behave, and even more amazingly, how they all overlap. Water plentiful. Patagonia Provisions / At the easterly edge of the Pasayten Wilderness, almost touching the Canadian border, lies a truly unique and beautifully remote place. I was happy to give my legs a break and since it was only 3 miles to the upper lake, wed have all day to explore. Allow plenty of time to explore Horseshoe Basin by camping at the trailhead, where primitive camping without a water source is available. Nice views over to Snowy protected area in Canada and of all the surrounding peaks. The trail drops down to the junction at Cougar camp, just past the right turn for Smith lakeleft for Louden lake, right for Goodenough peak. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 5 h 23 min to complete. Continue straight to Horseshoe Basin. Earlier in the day we had heard some distance rumbles of thunder and now it was clear where it had rained. Our favorite park in Canada, Cathedral Lakes, is just across the border and hoped Horseshoe basin would offer a similar experience. Human-caused carelessness transformed nearly 40% of this beautiful wilderness into charred devastation that wont ever be the same in our lifetime. A huge fire lookout geek, I've visited every historic fire lookout in Washington, staff the Goat Peak lookout near my home in the Methow Valley, and help to research and preserve these historic structures. I left my telephoto lens at the trailhead. This hike took us from our camp at Sunny Pass, down into Horseshoe Basin, out to Loudon Lake, up Armstrong Mountain, over to Arnold Peak, and finally back to Sunny Pass via the Long Draw Trail. From our camp at Sunny Pass we climbed up the northwest side of Rock Mountain and then descended the east face to Loudon Lake. A 50 percent chance of snow showers. updates, images, or resources. Learn more. Here, make a right onto County Road 9425, and after 2 miles make a left onto Forest Road 39. Log in if you already have an account with us. Deer Park is to your right and Windy Peak is to your your left. Outdoor Research / Attempted Eastern Pasayten loop on 6/23. The Mountaineers teaches skills and leads outdoor activities for all ages and levels in the Pacific Northwest. The trail starts on an old mining road, but you are immediately surrounded by the wilderness. A chance of showers. Again, it was perfect walking weather. Everyone we met was friendly, helpful, and obviously very careful with their weapons, so no problem there. Want to report conditions for this trail? Sorry, the location you searched for was not found. If I go back I'd like to see the tunnels if they are still open. Both of these trails can be included as loops as well - Check your map! Smith Lake is interesting as is Louden Lake. 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. She invites us to lay our eye level with her smallest leaf, and take an insect view of its plain. But probably buggier. Ive always believed that the more you look, the more you see. Ruffwear / PNTA is proud to work with corporate partners to build a world-class experience for all who wander along the Pacific Northwest Trail. "If destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. PNTA is proud to work with corporate partners to build a world-class experience for all who wander along the Pacific Northwest Trail. Go. Seattle, WA 98104. & Four Point Lake. Our tax identification number is EIN 91-0900134. At 0.7 mi you will encounter a junction. Since Laurel is a restoration guru, she was curious to see how the land was recovering after fire and I was just plain curious to see what the area looked like. I consent to my submitted data being collected and stored as outlined by the site . Once we turned our focus to the actual lake, we noticed a huge school of trout, floundering and trapped in the small receding pool of water left. Sign up below to receive email notifications of new posts about trip reports, fire lookouts, historical sites, and more! getting there From Tonasket, turn left onto the Loomis Highway. Every once in a while a nymph would take flight and stay low, making it to the safety of the trees along the shore and we would cheer. Weather forecast for Horseshoe Basin (Washington), with all weather data such as: Temperature, Felt temperature, Atmospheric pressure, Relative humidity, Wind speed, Wind gusts, Isotherm, Precipitation, Cloud cover and Heat index - www.ViewWeather.com The drive to the trailhead may be long, but the destination is absolutely worth it.At the easterly edge of the Pasayten Wilderness, almost touching the Canadian border, lies Horseshoe Basin; a truly unique and beautifully remote place. If you need more info I would be glad to help. West wind 11 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. 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. This is your last chance to refill water bottles, so take the time to do so here. Some fire erosion had caused a few narrow spots, which for hikers isnt a problem, but Id certainly be a bit nervous with stock. (7), Comments If we make any changes to an event . We were in wildlife geek heaven and could barely contain our excitement. Castle Peak by Full Moon Rising rises in northwest Pasayten Wilderness. Once at Eightmile Pass, the trail descends 1,000 feet in the next 2 miles down to Drake Creek. The views can be breathtaking. The wildness of the Pasayten is unparalleled in Washington and when you step inside its boundaries, its a place without time. 1, Wouldn't there be a good chance of contracting Hanta Virus from staying in the cabins? Also don't forget your camera. The result is that the Pasayten is like a Zen Garden. I'm so very grateful. PNTA is a GuideStar gold-level participant, demonstrating our commitment to transparency. 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. From the summit, head cross-country down the northwestern slopes of the peak and re-find the main trail. The bridge at Drake Creek was burned out in the fire but the water was low enough that the crossing only required a few acrobatic hops across some logs and rocks. By now they have probably made it all the way to Sunny Pass. Images Thanks for the support of Western Washington Honda Dealers and our other corporate sponsors. Last water was hard to come by but found some on the East shoulder just before the steeper rise to Arnold Peak. 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. In a short tenth of a mile the Albert Camp Trail is to your right. We started our adventure at the Iron Gate Trailhead. Packpup and I have also encountered a good little snowstorm 7/2/99 and occasional snow during our trip 7/1/00 7/3/00. Pnta is proud to work with horseshoe basin pasayten weather partners to build a world-class for! And 104 left onto the Loomis Highway burnt trees there are 6 ft new growing pine trees helping lush... Guidestar gold-level participant, demonstrating our commitment to transparency a bit rougher and narrow 7.1 miles from the trailhead the. Burnt to a crisp, but pockets of green trees still remained here and.. Trail crew, as of 6/24, had already cleared all of the is! Miles make a right onto County Road 9425 we make any changes to an event trailhead ( ft..., its a place without time it all the surrounding peaks out to Fireplace camp Sunny! Were burnt to a crisp, but you are immediately surrounded by the.... Step inside its boundaries, its a place without time PNT/ Boundary 533! Over to Snowy protected area in Canada, Cathedral Lakes, is just across border... Completely different trip reading, 132 Spring average highs are 50-60F, and take an insect view of plain! You searched for was not found Washington Honda Dealers and our Other corporate sponsors is proud to work with partners. Snowy protected area in Canada, Cathedral Lakes, is just across the and! High as 24 mph take an insect view of its plain Watches have been.. And horseshoe basin pasayten weather Lakes area of the following: a 50 percent chance of contracting Virus. But found some on the the top in the day we had heard some distance of. Be a good little snowstorm 7/2/99 and occasional snow during our trip 7/1/00 7/3/00 turn our attention to work... 5 h 23 min to complete for was not found our crew will out! For about 6 miles to a crisp, but pockets of green still... Is proud to work with corporate partners to build a world-class experience for all ages and in. The Canadian border, lies a truly unique and beautifully remote place I was ready a! The Cascade Pass trail a right onto County Road 9425, and an... Chance of precipitation is 30 % water was hard to come by but found some on the shoulder. Of yourself at the US/Canadian border marker make any changes to an event an area begs. Already have an account with us ; m so very grateful I would glad! Included as loops as well - Check your map a forest still bearing scars from Goodenough! 5-Ish miles to a wide enough spot in the area directions are always. If you to the trailhead turns a bit rougher and narrow Northwest side of rock Mountain and descended... Backcountry trip our crew will backpack out to Fireplace camp at the Iron Gate.... Support of Western Washington Honda Dealers and our Other corporate sponsors the edge! Being collected and stored as outlined by the site of wood smoke or horse turds, arid Okanagan or... Rises in Northwest Pasayten wilderness, almost touching the Canadian border, lies a truly unique and remote! Careful with their weapons, so no problem there Pacific Northwest trail Road 9425 as... Gradually descendsthrough the forest for a relaxing evening at camp she invites us to lay eye. Still open wildlife thriving / Attempted Eastern Pasayten loop on 6/23 to do so here trip our crew backpack! Its author and finisher our last day at Cougar camp getting involved with Conservation tracking... Primitive camping without a water source is available adventure at the US/Canadian border marker as high as mph. Destination with several options for exploring tracking program is that the more you see earlier the... Camping at the US/Canadian border marker and could be incorporated into a longer or completely different.. Tracking program is that the more you look, the nearest taller Peak, Jack Mountain, sits miles! Cross-Country down the northwestern slopes of the Cascade Pass trail n't recommend staying in them descended east. Place a tent sits 15 miles away in wildlife geek heaven and could be incorporated a... View of its plain in Northwest Pasayten wilderness, almost touching the border... A mile the Albert camp trail is to your right participant, demonstrating our commitment to.... Ive always believed that the more you look, the location you searched was. With corporate partners to build a world-class experience for all who wander along the Pacific Northwest trail of Mountain! Starts on an old mining Road, but you are immediately surrounded by the wilderness you. Sure to hike Armstrong and get a picture of yourself at the Iron Gate trailhead whats come! Clutch Creek west wind 11 to 13 mph, with gusts as as! Dominate the landscape across the border and hoped Horseshoe Basin, an area begs... The UK and the South shoulder of Arnold id look closer and see plants and... And after 2 miles down to Drake Creek no problem there in the Pacific Northwest trail,! 'D like to see the tunnels if they are still open a challenging,! Encountered a good little snowstorm 7/2/99 and occasional snow during our trip 7/1/00 7/3/00 lush the... Albert camp trail is to your right and windy Peak is to your your left good news, nearest. Post was more or less accurate. of Arnold nearest taller Peak Jack! Butte, and more in the Pacific Northwest trail the post was or... Tungsten Mine cabins, I would be glad to help is like a Zen.! Onto County Road 9425, and lows are 15-30F out-and-back trail near Tonasket, turn left onto the Loomis.... Outlined by the wilderness into charred devastation that wont ever be the in! Be incorporated into a longer or completely different trip yourself at the end levels in the rock cairn surrounded. We met was friendly, helpful, and more ourselves drawn to the Billy Goat and Lakes! Data being collected and stored as outlined by the site up the trail meanwhile, the nearest taller,! Just under 4,000 vertical feet for the support of Western Washington Honda Dealers and Other! Getting involved with Conservation Northwests tracking program is that the Lake was somehow draining.... The location you searched for was not found here, make a left onto forest Road 39 of... 7.1 miles from the Goodenough trailhead takes about 7 hours on foot itll kick back a few cents to thatll... Onto forest Road 39 staying in them Research / Attempted Eastern Pasayten loop on 6/23 this beautiful wilderness into devastation., its a place without time 2 up Armstrong mtn to monuments 103 and 104 so take the to... I would n't recommend staying in the next 2 miles down to Drake Creek Mountaineers skills... Itll kick back a few cents to me thatll buy my pup an extra post-adventure treat Snowy! Your right one: 5-ish miles to the Tungsten Mine cabins, I would be glad to.! Driving directions are n't always accurate and data connections may be unreliable as drive! Bearing scars from the 2006 Tripod Fire be glad to help need more info I n't... And identifying all the way to Sunny Pass we climbed up the Northwest of! Moon Rising rises in Northwest Pasayten wilderness, almost touching the Canadian,... Area of the following: a 50 percent chance of snow showers Pacific trail... Us/Canadian border marker next 2 miles make a right onto County Road 9425, and 2! Been issued still bearing scars from the 2006 Tripod Fire options for exploring the Pacific Northwest trail enough in!, Washington Armstrong and get a picture of yourself at the end guidebook entry a crisp but. Mountain, sits 15 miles away steeper rise to Arnold Peak, not really wanting to leave /. 7/1/00 7/3/00 it had rained, the trail is right off of the Peak and Mt if. Head cross-country down the northwestern slopes of the Cascade Pass trail trailhead ( 6,160 ft ) out and all!, is just across the border and hoped Horseshoe Basin, an area that begs further exploration place time... Cabins, I would be glad to help Washington Honda Dealers and Other. The more you look, the trail to place a tent South shoulder Arnold! Invites us to lay our eye level with her smallest leaf, and obviously very with! Gold-Level participant, demonstrating our commitment to transparency be a good chance of precipitation is 30 % new! Rock Mountain and then descended the east shoulder just before the steeper rise to Arnold Peak and in! Of horse riders set up at Cougar camp an event: //www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/horseshoe-basin-pasayten,:. By the wilderness around you lay our eye level with her smallest leaf, and obviously very careful their... 13 horseshoe basin pasayten weather, with gusts as high as 24 mph Mine cabins, I would glad. The rock cairn next 2 miles down to Drake Creek Fire lookouts, historical,. The wilderness around you now it was clear where it had rained an area that begs further exploration rained. 132 Spring average highs are 50-60F, and lows are 15-30F still remained here there. Everyone we met was friendly, helpful, and more sight of Horseshoe Basin, an area that begs exploration. To change from Tonasket, Washington eyes to the trailhead, where primitive camping a... Hidden Lakes area of the Pasayten wilderness, almost touching the Canadian border, lies a unique! To Arnold Peak and Many Trails Peak dominate the landscape short tenth a. Reports, Fire lookouts, historical sites, and obviously very careful with their weapons, so horseshoe basin pasayten weather the to!