Eliot crossing, Timberline Trail, Aug 3
Posted: August 4th, 2019, 8:09 am
Just a mini-TR for those wondering about the Eliot crossing.
I was hiking CCW, from Cloudcap towards Coe.
Arrived a little before dawn, so water was about as low as you're likely to find it in August.
As so often happens, the trail was a little tricky to follow down at the creek, partly because it's a rubble zone, partly because the trail falls apart as people look for their preferred crossing.
I had read of a big log, and indeed that was the first opportunity I spotted. It was barkless and wet, which is a scary combination. It's just a few steps across, but they were uneasy steps. I saw evidence that others had gone a little upstream to cross, but I didn't investigate.
Once on the other side, I struggled to find the trail. I was thinking it should go downstream slightly, but nothing. Went upstream and found it. A bit rugged in spots. A slip wouldn't end well. Missed a switchback when I followed the path left by others who missed the switchback.
I've never found Eliot to be really difficult, but I've never done it in August (usually Oct/Nov), and I've never done it in the dark, so I was really apprehensive. Was very happy to get it behind me (was looping, crossed Eliot Glacier on return, so no need to repeat the creek crossing at end of day).
Incidentally, I saw an old mangled rusty cable on the west bank. This is a new trail, so it's not the remnant of an old bridge. Thoughts?
I was hiking CCW, from Cloudcap towards Coe.
Arrived a little before dawn, so water was about as low as you're likely to find it in August.
As so often happens, the trail was a little tricky to follow down at the creek, partly because it's a rubble zone, partly because the trail falls apart as people look for their preferred crossing.
I had read of a big log, and indeed that was the first opportunity I spotted. It was barkless and wet, which is a scary combination. It's just a few steps across, but they were uneasy steps. I saw evidence that others had gone a little upstream to cross, but I didn't investigate.
Once on the other side, I struggled to find the trail. I was thinking it should go downstream slightly, but nothing. Went upstream and found it. A bit rugged in spots. A slip wouldn't end well. Missed a switchback when I followed the path left by others who missed the switchback.
I've never found Eliot to be really difficult, but I've never done it in August (usually Oct/Nov), and I've never done it in the dark, so I was really apprehensive. Was very happy to get it behind me (was looping, crossed Eliot Glacier on return, so no need to repeat the creek crossing at end of day).
Incidentally, I saw an old mangled rusty cable on the west bank. This is a new trail, so it's not the remnant of an old bridge. Thoughts?