North Cascades Highway (State Route 20)

 Campgrounds along the North Cascades Highway

Of the 4 National Park Service campgrounds along the highway only Colonial Creek Campground sustained significant damage. Ten of the 43 sites on the north side of the campground will be useable in 2004. The south side of the campground was not damaged. Parking for the Thunder Knob Trail is at the highway entrance to the campground's north side.

 Thornton Lakes Road and Trail

A washout that made the road impassable to vehicles about ˝ mile from the trailhead will be repaired this week.  Until June 11 there is no room for parking near the washout. A major washout along the lower portion of the trail will be impassable until lower water when hikers may be able to cross further upstream.

 Thunder Creek Drainage and Vicinity

· Suspension bridge gone:  The suspension bridge over Thunder Creek one-mile from the trailhead in Colonial Creek Campground was destroyed. This large bridge was in a location which flooded at the beginning of many summer seasons. Planning for a better location, environmental assessment of alternatives, and application for funding will take place this year with construction happening in 2005. The log jam at the former bridge site is closed to crossing because of safety considerations.

· McAllister Camp bridge gone: The bridge from the Thunder Creek Trail to McAllister Camp near mile 6 was destroyed and will be replaced with a foot log, probably this summer. It will not be possible to reach the camp until this is completed. The nearby McAllister Horse Camp is reached without crossing the creek.

·  Fisher Creek bridge gone: This bridge over Fisher Creek was on the Thunder Creek Trail at mile 7.0 near Tricouni Camp. Replacement is planned for 2005. At lower water, crossing may be possible at log jams or by wading:  exercise caution.

· Panther Creek bridge gone: The bridge at mile 3.6 on Panther Creek was destroyed and will be replaced in summer 2004 if possible. This creek cannot be safely waded at high water and may be very difficult to cross at low water. Please note that because of this crossing the Panther Creek Trail is not an easy alternative route for reaching the Thunder Creek Trail.

 Big Beaver and Little Beaver Creeks

· 39-mile Creek foot log gone:  This foot log will be replaced in summer 2004.  It will be difficult to cross this creek in the early season without the foot log.

· Stillwell Bridge gone: This major, 2-year old bridge over Little Beaver Creek at mile 10.4 near Stilwell Camp was swept away. Replacement may be possible in 2005. Avoid crossing at high water. Look for log jams and shallow areas for the possibility of safe crossing at low water, maybe at the site of the earlier bridge and horse ford. Exercise caution and be prepared to alter trip plans and turn back.

· Extensive trail damage on Little Beaver:  Hikers will need to particularly use route-finding skills between mile 4.3 and 9.3 and in the vicinity of Twin Rocks Camp (mile 13 to 14).

 East Bank Trail

The missing foot log at May Creek, mile 7.8, has been replaced. Significantly eroded trail tread which could be a problem for stock will be repaired in the weeks ahead.

Cascade River Road

The road was severely eroded at Boston Creek (mile 21.8) and sustained lesser damage at nearby Morning Star and Midas Creeks. A repair contract will be issued, and work may begin during June or July 2004 with completion in August or September. While this work is underway it will be necessary to close the road at Eldorado Creek (mile 19.9) so that parked vehicles will not impede the passage of construction equipment. Walking the road beyond Eldorado Creek is permissible but anticipate that crossing Boston Creek could be difficult or impossible until repairs are in place. At this writing the road is open to Johnson Cabin (mile 21.1). Road’s end is mile 23.1.

 Stehekin Drainage

· No National Park Service shuttle service due to road damage:  The Stehekin Valley Road from High Bridge to Glory, where the National Park Service usually provides shuttle service in the summer, was severely damaged and will not be available for use in 2004. Therefore, there will be no shuttle service above High Bridge. At this writing (May 11)  the Stehekin River continues to occupy a stretch of the Stehekin Valley Road a half mile above the Stehekin River Ranch.  The National Park Service anticipates that a private permittee will again provide bus service from Stehekin Landing 9.5 miles to this point. The Bullion Loop Trail and  the Old Wagon Road Trail (Pacific Crest Trail) provides hikers and horseback riders with a route around a significant portion of the damaged road. (Bicyclists may use the Bullion Loop Trail to bypass the flooded road section as far as Bullion Camp, where they can rejoin the road. Please note that all other trails in the North Cascades National Park Service Complex are closed to bicycles as well as to motorized vehicles.)

· Pacific Crest Trail not damaged. The route of the Pacific Crest Trail through the national park (coincides with Bridge Creek Trail and Old Wagon Road Trail) was damaged only at Maple Creek. The swinging bridge is being replaced. The stock ford was so severely damaged that it will be some time before it can be repaired.

· Trail damage between Glory and Cottonwood:  Where flooding destroyed a section of trail, a reroute will be created in 2004.

Road and trail conditions and facility information: http://www.nps.gov/cond.htm