Five Pass-Red Eagle Loop (Filling out Permit Q's)

Are you a seasoned hiker, or just starting out? Let us know your questions or experience with the backcountry permit process.

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Spencer3304
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Five Pass-Red Eagle Loop (Filling out Permit Q's)

Post by Spencer3304 »

Hi,

I'm trying to fill out my permit for either the first week of July or the last week.

It will be me and another individual and we have decided that we would like to do the 6 day Red Eagle Loop which my understanding includes a reverse Norris traverse.
Since much of the loop is off trail I'm having difficulty filling out the permit properly.
I am living in SC at the moment so I'm not able to really pop in and check out the area or do a walk in permit.

If anyone could advise me I would greatly appreciate it.

I've included some of the material I am going off of below, I apologize if some of the route information is contradictory in nature.

Cheers,

Backpacker - https://www.backpacker.com/trips/glacie ... eagle-loop
GPS - http://my.viewranger.com/route/details/MTAzMzU2
General content - http://outtherewithtom.blogspot.com/201 ... orris.html
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Re: Five Pass-Red Eagle Loop (Filling out Permit Q's)

Post by wnysteve »

Spencer, I assume that you are preparing an on-line application. I believe that requests for off-trail (Dispersed Camping) requests have to be made in person at the Backcountry Office.
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Re: Five Pass-Red Eagle Loop (Filling out Permit Q's)

Post by Spencer3304 »

Ahhh that makes a lot of sense as to why I was having trouble filling out the forms then!

Would you be able to point me in the direction of a reference for finding a long loop trail (~6 days)? My goal is to see as few hikers as possible :lol: (trails and campsites in SC are few and far too over crowded)
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Re: Five Pass-Red Eagle Loop (Filling out Permit Q's)

Post by PeteE »

During the first week of July, that route will almost certainly require crampons, ice ax, and the knowledge and skills to use them.
This has been a bigger than usual snow year. No way to be certain at this time but parts of that route will most likely be snow/ice covered.

pete :wink:
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Re: Five Pass-Red Eagle Loop (Filling out Permit Q's)

Post by PeteE »

Spencer3304 wrote:Ahhh that makes a lot of sense as to why I was having trouble filling out the forms then!

Would you be able to point me in the direction of a reference for finding a long loop trail (~6 days)? My goal is to see as few hikers as possible :lol: (trails and campsites in SC are few and far too over crowded)
LOL!!
You won't find much solitude here either.
The crowds has increased here dramatically over the last few years. Unless....

If your bushwhacking/navigation skills are good, and you don't mind brushy trails and sometimes sketchy stream crossings....
Do a trip in the "Nyack" part of the park. You won't see many people in there at all---might not see any in some parts.
The trails are not regularly maintained and streams aren't all bridged.

The Nyack is the light purple area down in the southern part of the park.
Study all 6 pages of this link. Very important information for all backpackers.

https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/ ... ap-Web.pdf

pete :wink:
"If you are not curious, you will learn nothing" -Goethe-

"When you're born in this world, you're given a ticket to the freak show.
And when you're born in America, you're given a front row seat."

George Carlin
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Re: Five Pass-Red Eagle Loop (Filling out Permit Q's)

Post by Spencer3304 »

Thanks!

It was not apparent that you could check the reserved dates for each site by clicking on the camp sites. A phone call to the permit office cleared that up and we ended up with a good multi-day hike thru the Nyack region in late July :arrow: .

COA
PAR
COA
BEA
UPN
LYN

TOTALS;
Trip length 63.60 miles
Elevation up 6,090 feet
Elevation down 6,760 feet
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Re: Five Pass-Red Eagle Loop (Filling out Permit Q's)

Post by Lucane »

Hi, we are two backpackers planning to do the same loop September 2-7, what are the typical weather conditions then? I am reading the snow is expected in third week of September typically. Any advise regarding ice/snow at that time?
Our understanding is that we might just get lucky to hit it before the snow and the ice from previous year might have melted away ..
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Re: Five Pass-Red Eagle Loop (Filling out Permit Q's)

Post by PeteE »

Well...to the extent anything is "typical" 8)
The first week of September is pretty nice--typically.

That said. I've seen it snow it late August and early Sept.
Usually early snow is more of a problem for the "higher" country, and not for the lower elevations of areas like the Nyack.
I'd watch the weather forecasts in the week before you leave. Make gear adjustments as necessary.

By September, the creeks should be down and so will be easier to ford.

pete :wink:
"If you are not curious, you will learn nothing" -Goethe-

"When you're born in this world, you're given a ticket to the freak show.
And when you're born in America, you're given a front row seat."

George Carlin
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Re: Five Pass-Red Eagle Loop (Filling out Permit Q's)

Post by Spencer3304 »

Lucane wrote:Hi, we are two backpackers planning to do the same loop September 2-7, what are the typical weather conditions then? I am reading the snow is expected in third week of September typically. Any advise regarding ice/snow at that time?
Our understanding is that we might just get lucky to hit it before the snow and the ice from previous year might have melted away ..
The only snow we came across was at Beaver Woman.
If you're doing the Nyack loop be prepared to do a lot of trail finding and dealing with fallen trees.
Best advice I can give is don't forget your rain pants and to do the loop starting at COA and ending at Lower, get the hard stuff out of three way first.
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