Open Backpack - Thunder Creek

I am requiring leader permission to ensure I check in with everyone in the group. This route also includes 2200 feet of gain in 2.5 miles. Participants should have previous backpacking experience and have recently hiked up at least 2000 feet over 3 miles while wearing a pack. It is really important to me to have participants who are ready to include others who may be slower or having an off day. 

We will hike at 1.5-2mph pace, taking frequent breaks. We will stop for an extended lunch (~20 minutes). We will hike just over 7 miles from Colonial Creek Trailhead to Panther Creek Group camp. The trail starts gently and then climbs steeply for 2.5 miles to the top of Fourth of July pass before a more gentle decent along panther creek to the group camp. We will break camp and head back to our cars Sunday morning starting around 8am hiking the trail back to Colonial Creek.

There should be a bear wire for hanging food. I will check this before the trip

We will meet at the Marblemount ranger station to pick up the permit at 10am. We will drive from there to the trailhead at Colonial Creek Campground, have a quick trailhead talk when reach the campground, aim to start hiking by 11am and be to the Panther Group camp by 5pm.

To get to the ranger station Drive SR 20 toward Marblemount. Turn onto Ranger Station Road, which leaves SR 20 at milepost 105.3, just west of Marblemount, and drive 0.7 miles to the end of the road and the ranger station.

I will likely camp the night before so let me know if you have interest in camping Friday night.

Each Mountaineer should reimburse me $11 for the permit via cash or venmo. Each car should have a NW Forest Pass or National Parks Pass