Reimel Creek Trail #175

Dogs Unknown

After over a decade without maintenance, we managed to clear the 1500 trees that had fallen across the trail, making the trail useable. Those years of neglect were a bit hard on the trail and, as such, it is still a work in progress.

The trail is worn in places, the bench cuts have narrowed, and loose rocks have rolled down from the hillsides. Still, if you don't mind a bit of adventure with your hike, it is still fun.

The trail is best done downhill, and the recommended route would be to leave a car at the Sula Ranger Station and arrange a shuttle up to Chief Joseph Pass. Grab the CDT here and enjoy the trail until you reach the fork with Reimel.

The trail starts along Tolan Ridge and is easy to follow through the log cuts. After a quarter mile, there is a fork to the left and the trail becomes a little harder to follow until the trail disappears in a wet patch; contour to the right until you reach the meadow. The trail remains missing through the grass. Continue contouring and trending gradually down toward some trees on the far side. You'll probably need to use the Hiking Project mobile app to find the switchbacks in the trees until we can get the track rebuilt.

Hike the switchbacks down to the creek until the trail once again becomes sketchy. Initially, stay to the left of the creek, although there will be a few crossings. In this area, look for blazes on the trees, log cuts, and old tire tracks until you approach the burn and the trail once again becomes somewhat obvious.

From here, follow the trail out. Be alert for unmarked obstacles, there will be plenty. Good luck and be careful out there.