Rae Lakes loop: Upper Paradise Valley bridge damaged

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Phiker
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Re: Rae Lakes loop: Upper Paradise Valley bridge damaged

Post by Phiker »

schmalz is right, here is the link from PCTA:

https://www.pcta.org/discover-the-trail ... icant-way/

They also mention "temporary bridges" may be installed but no timeline for that...

https://www.pcta.org/discover-the-trail ... -junction/
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Wandering Daisy
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Re: Rae Lakes loop: Upper Paradise Valley bridge damaged

Post by Wandering Daisy »

The Pacific Northwest has also received record snowfall. Just look at the Mt. Rainier web cam! I suppose you could skip the Sierra, then go through northern CA and Oregon, back to the Sierra, then Washington Cascades. CDT hikers have the same problem. Record snowfall in Wyoming along their route.

The Sierra melt has just started. More bridges could wash out in the next month. It would be a good idea to check any bridge before you cross. I would sure hate to be that "straw that broke the back" of a damaged bridge.
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haus
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Re: Rae Lakes loop: Upper Paradise Valley bridge damaged

Post by haus »

Hobbes wrote: I would imagine anyone showing up to do the Rae lakes loop over the next 2 months should be prepared for an in/out up Bubbs. Only if, after checking with a ranger to get a current situational assessment, they seemed ok with the ford, then I would consider doing the full loop.
Thank you for that assessment. Rae Lakes is on our list for later in the summer, but even then I'm not sure those crossings are something we want to tackle given what I'm hearing so far and our level of experience. We'll be watching trail reports and following closely.
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schmalz
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Re: Rae Lakes loop: Upper Paradise Valley bridge damaged

Post by schmalz »

It seems that the PCTA and possibly SEKI was possibly spreading some mis-information regarding the suspension bridge being out.

I have seen photographic evidence that indicates otherwise.
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Langostino
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Re: Rae Lakes loop: Upper Paradise Valley bridge damaged

Post by Langostino »

Just read a post from a PCT walker (John Colver) that news reports of damage to the Woods Creek suspension bridge are premature. He found it intact and in great condition! Wonder where that news originated?
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Re: Rae Lakes loop: Upper Paradise Valley bridge damaged

Post by Wandering Daisy »

The bridge itself could be in good condition to the casual observer, but the footings may be under-cutting, other structural damage that is not that easily seen. Every day presents new conditions. Was the PCT hiker's observation before or after an observation from the NPS? OR was the NPS observation based on an overflight, not feet on the ground? Not enough information at this point to say one way or the other. The officials will often deem a structure unsafe before it actually becomes unusable.
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Re: Rae Lakes loop: Upper Paradise Valley bridge damaged

Post by Cross Country »

I crossed the log over the river several times. I can't imagine it's still there.
Probable the only time to do the complete Rae Lakes Loop should be late August or later.
Anyone doing it in the future better hope for a low snow year because I imagine there won't be any money to repaid any bridges in the wilderness for the next four years.
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oncloudsrest
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Re: Rae Lakes loop: Upper Paradise Valley bridge damaged

Post by oncloudsrest »

Pfiker, in response to your question whether the park service will fix that bridge by early July, there is zero chance of that happening. They are dealing with higher priority issues resulting from this winters snowfall that is affecting more park visitors - landslides, damaged roads, downed trees, etc. I suspect they won't have that bridge fixed until next year earliest.

We have the same permit for Rae Lakes but it's not until late September and we are actually concerned the south fork may still have serious flow then. Early July?, as others mentioned go for a backup plan as soon as you can.

Good luck!
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Re: Rae Lakes loop: Upper Paradise Valley bridge damaged

Post by SSSdave »

Am not a fan of all those in this era mobbing popular loop routes like Rae Lakes so am enjoying that is going to block that merry-go-round. Some will still persist changing plans and discover out and back routes are not the boring repeat experiences they imagine.

David
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BUCKSKI
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Re: Rae Lakes loop: Upper Paradise Valley bridge damaged

Post by BUCKSKI »

Just got off the phone with the SEKI Back-country rangers (Wilderness Direct Line 559-565-3766). They say both bridges are still impassable "damaged", no estimate to repair. She also says snow level in Park is 8,000 feet she says Glenn Pass is "impassable" (Trail conditions page has update from June 5th. is more specific). Would love to see current bridge/creek pictures. Google search turns up nothing recent, pre-damage results show these were some heavy duty bridges that got knocked out!
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