Forum Index > Trip Reports > Drake creek trail - Pasayten
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Perry
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Joined: 09 Aug 2007
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Location: Mount Vernon
Perry
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PostTue Jul 11, 2017 10:17 am 
7/5/17 I planned to take my llamas, Julian and Credo, on a multi day trip into the Pasayten from the Billy Goat TH. We went over Eightmile pass and down to Drake creek. That’s a good trail with about 700 ft of gain going up to the pass, and 800 feet of lose going down to Drake creek. There are a couple small streams on the west side of the pass. About ¾ mile down the west side of the pass there is a nice little camp site next to Jinks creek. After crossing Drake Creek on a nice bridge, the trail does a couple of small switchbacks to the Drake creek trail junction.
We got about 1/8 mile up Drake creek when we ran into blowdown. I cut through the initial blowdowns, but then walked up the trail a bit and realized there were more & more blowdowns. The downed trees were mostly small pines, 3” – 5”, but many of them were around 3 feet off the ground, requiring cutting to get the llamas through. Rather than try to cut through it all, I decided to turn around, head out, and go on a different hike. Drake creek trail 502B is much less used than Hidden lakes trail 477 and has a narrower tread.

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Nancyann
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Joined: 28 Jul 2013
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Location: Sultan Basin
Nancyann
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PostTue Jul 11, 2017 10:33 am 
Thank you very much for the trail info, Perry! We are headed back there in a couple of days and were considering using that route also. Wildernessed was wondering what kind of shape that trail was in as well. I hope you were able to enjoy your alternate choice!

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FiresideChats
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Joined: 20 Jan 2014
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Location: San Juan Islands
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PostTue Jul 11, 2017 11:19 am 
Good beta, thanks. My kids always love the llama trip reports and are hoping to cross paths some time on our adventures. We'll be up that way too, in a couple of weeks, I hope.

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wildernessed
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Joined: 31 Oct 2004
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Location: Wenatchee
wildernessed
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PostTue Jul 11, 2017 12:26 pm 
up.gif Thanks.

Living in the Anthropocene
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Leafguy
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Joined: 16 Sep 2003
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Location: Wenatchee
Leafguy
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PostTue Jul 11, 2017 9:26 pm 
Last time Steve and I went through there, a crew of 4 were rebuilding the bridge. They were going to be there the whole summer building it because they couldn't use the dreaded chainsaw thingy. Job security for them. Would have been nice to see some of that time put toward the unmaintained trails in the area. bs.gif

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Distel32
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Joined: 03 Jun 2014
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Location: Edmonds, WA
Distel32
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PostThu Jul 13, 2017 8:22 am 
FS website said basically unmaintained after the initial section.

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HermitThrush
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Location: Brainerd Lakes Area, MN
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PostThu Jul 13, 2017 2:00 pm 
Do you carry anything or just lead the llamas?

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Perry
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Joined: 09 Aug 2007
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Location: Mount Vernon
Perry
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PostThu Jul 13, 2017 9:32 pm 
My 'pack' just had camera, GPS, Inreach, etc., 5 pounds, maybe.

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