Pechuck Lookout from The Old Bridge Trailhead (High Ridge)
Did this hike last Friday, first rainy day in a long time… Mostly a continuous light drizzle all day. The vegetation loved it. It looked very happy. I was glad I wore my heavier boots as I thought I might run into some sloppy snow near the lookout. No snow, just very wet knee-high vegetation.
The first mile or so from the trailhead has been cleared down to bare earth…but after that the trail thickens with lush new growth. Easy to follow until you gain most of the elevation to about 4000’. After that the trail comes and goes, mainly because it’s covered by lots of debris, and the lack of use. Not too many downed trees, but a whole bunch of dead Rhody, and Vine Maple thickets…doing everything in their power to take you down. The trail up on High Ridge disappears but eventually reappears, just stay on the ridge-crest…
The forest is recovering nicely. The Rhody and the Vine Maple that look dead all have new growth at the base. The ground is thick with Ferns, Oregon Grape, Bleeding Hearts, Bear Grass, Salal, and much more…
This trail is a great early season conditioner. The first 4 miles gain about 2800’ and puts you on top of High Ridge, where the trail goes on an up and down ride to Pechuck and back. Total for this hike, round-trip, is about 16 miles x about 5000’ gain.
If I were suggest the most useful tool to carry on this trail currently, it would be a good pair of loppers, mainly for the dead Vine Maple and the Rhody’s that have lowered onto the trail.
Wildlife sighting…. Deer, lots of slugs (watch your step), Robins, Juncos, Steller’s Jay…and possibly heard both male and female Spotted Owl.
Someone did some trail work for the first mile or so…
Thanks Don and Ofelia…
The trail is there somewhere…
Deer butt…
It made me think of a really dark sky with many stars…
For my love, Deb. The Pacific Banana Slug.
Lots of wildflowers. Probably a couple weeks late for these…
Balsam Root at Don’s Sandwich Stop….
Rhody’s just starting their blooms…
See all the new growth at the base of the Rhody’s…
The trail is here…barely.
A very large Thatching Ant hill…right in the middle of the trail…
…a very active Thatching Ant hill…
Rhody patch just starting to bloom…
Bleeding Hearts in bloom amongst the charred trees…
Bear Grass in their early stages of bloom…
Such a contrast…
Giant White Fawn Lilly…
The view from the Alpine Meadow…
Bear scat…
Not sure what the locals call this place, but I’ve always called it the Sunken Meadow…
Spared by the fire…
I stood for a moment trying to imagine what it looked like when it let go…
Final push to the lookout…
Good working condition…
Hello Pechuck, old friend…
Inside Pechuck…
Looking back at the meadow below Chicken Rock and Rooster Rock…
The day’s track…
So nice to have a good report and good pictures. Thanks a lot Karl.
Hi Karl. Thank you for this account of your hike and particularly your stunning photos of nature’s swift recovery. I first encountered your site – when I looked up Ioa to Olowalu hike – you reference as “Warriors Trek”. I sent a reply to your trip account – that looks like you posted back in 2015. I loved reading your account and particularly the photos as they reminded me of my trip through those two canyons and over the pali back in 1977. It looks like you and your partner ascended the pali one ridge to the south from our choice – but probably descended the exact same route back into Olowalu stream. My question for you – one that has stayed with me all these years – now that you have completed this arduous passage – would you chose a different route next time and where might that be? I believe there must be an easier passage – but never invested the time to repeat. Did you ever get any topo references from the individual who critiqued your route-finding with a reply? Just a matter of curiosity that could be shared with only a handful of people. Hope to hear from you. Cheers and continue posting your reports and photos of your adventures. Peter Bricca