[Kim Brown]

I think you're correct - it's not even something they'd consider. It's not something that's one in wilderness.

[Randito]

[MtnGoat]

That blows, I liked that trail, hot springs or not.

[touron]

Glad I hiked it when I did. Sounds like now even a touron couldn't fine the trail.

[gb]

My favorite was Kennedy Ridge and it's continuation along the ridge at the top of Ptarmigan Glacier. Many good trips there on skis and on foot. The meadows near where Kennedy intersected with the other ridge were to die for.

[Kim Brown]

[Randito]

Rebuilding the White Chuck trail would be a major undertaking

IMHO the only way it will happen is with enough lobbying to have congress allocate specific funds for the reconstruction. Until then climbing Glacier Peak will remain far more epic than it used to be -- but personally I think that is OK -- Boulder Basin was notorious for a poop polluted water supply and prior to the road and trail getting washed out there were sometimes hundreds of folks on the summit on holiday weekends. So at least one Washington volcano will be conga line free

[Malachai Constant]

With the Suiattle road open folks can go back to the Rabbit Ears route, it is a lot more sporting.

[Snowbrushy]

[snoholic]

It's currently about 3' deep and about 98 degrees. Nice for soaking tired feet. Trail to lake Byrne exists sort of (first 1/4-1/2 mile is a little adventurous).

[Kim Brown]

[Randito]

[Kim Brown]

Trails aren't tyipcally based on direct routes; they're for enjoyment. Yes, you can also access the Kennedy site from N Fk, Lost Creek Ridge, as well as from fording the Suiattle and via Milk Creek, as well as from the many trails from the east side. In other words, "All Trails Lead to Kennedy, Eventually" From what I recall years ago, the plan was to build a new trailhead on the Rat Trap Pass road and a new trail from there to the newly (2008) built trail to Circle Peak to the north, and Crystal Lake to the east (if I have my directionals correct). From that intersection, you will then either head to Circle Peak, or go to Crystal Lake to Meadow Mountain trail to Fire Mountain and Fire Creek trail, then down to the old Glacier View Trail (parallel the Whitechuck trail, only higher elevation) to the PCT, then down Kennedy Ridge to Kennedy. The Meadow Mtn roadwalk and Crystal Creek road/trail would no longer be used. The first phase was funded just before the Oct 2003 storms wiped out access to that area from both access points. Rather than lose the money, they went ahead and built the trail from Crystal Lake to Circle Peak trailhead. Now that the “Battle over the Suiattle” is done, the Darrington District can get back to bettering trail systems. and rather than managing the Suiattle Road project, their biologist can get back to being a biologist and helping to rescue northern spotted owls.

[Snowbrushy]

The Forest Service would probably gladly sign-off with a non-profit type of group to rebuild the hot spring - they just want to scale back recreation involvements. I nominate Kim Brown as president of the Save Kennedy Hot Springs group because of her knowledge of FS red tape, etc..

[gb]

I nominate Kim Brown for President also.