Pasayten or GPW?

[yakimanoob]

Hey folks,

Just looking for your thoughts / what you would do.  I'll be in Ferndale this Friday for work, and planning to bug out as early as I can and hit the last weekend of the hunt. 

I've scouted only one spot in GPW that was PACKED with people on opening weekend, so much so that I didn't even bother after talking to two groups at the trailhead.  I did an overnight hunt in ALW in an unscouted location but it didn't work out. 

Since I'm coming from Ferndale, it's more convenient than usual to get to the Pasayten (or Mt Baker) wilderness areas, although there are only a handful of trailheads in Pasayten open due to the fire. 

What would you do?  Hunt a new area in Pasayten or try the at-least-formerly crowded area of GPW? 

Backpack hunting solo.  I'll be no more than a few miles from the trailhead since I have no one to help me pack an animal out and I'm fairly new to the game. 

[boneaddict]

Have they lifted the closures on the pasayten.  Both east and west were pretty much shut down.  Have any clue where you'd go in?

[yakimanoob]

Haven't chosen a spot.  Maybe Harts?  Depends on the weather and my feelings.

From the inciniweb page today:

"Closures: Due to moderating fire behavior and completed line construction, areas on the east and west sides of the Diamond Creek Fire are being opened for public use effective September 18. On the west side, Hart’s Pass Road, Robinson Creek and Middle Fork of the Pasaytan River are now open. Open on the east side are Falls Creek, Black Lake, the lower section of Andrew’s Creek and the Chewuch 510 trail to the confluence of Basin Creek. Maps will be available this afternoon and will be posted to the Diamond Creek Fire InciWeb and Facebook pages. The Pacific Crest Trail remains open at this time. The fire situation can change rapidly and new closures could occur with little advance warning. Complete closure details and maps are available on Inciweb or the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest website."

[boneaddict]

Well there you go, you have choices. 

[yakimanoob]

I was looking at the east side but it looks like mostly pretty high elevation.  Do you think the snow/rain will drive them off the ridges, or will they hang out there through this little preview of fall we're getting?

[yakimanoob]

Ha.  You beat me to it on the other forum.  Thanks for the advice.

[boneaddict]

They aren't going anywhere.   I'm not sure what effect the fires may have and increased activity because of them.  It's all anecdotal at best.