Woodpecker Trail #34E08

Overview

The southern half of the Woodpecker Trail is "Intermediate/Difficult," except for one short, steep "Difficult" section by Church Dome. The northern half is "Extremely Difficult." The descent to Trout Creek from the south has not been maintained and is very difficult to follow, with many fallen trees. Crossing Trout Creek can be difficult, dangerous, to impossible until sometime after all snow has melted around the upper feeder streams. I have no information about about the section from Trout Creek to Sherman Pass Road, except that it climbs almost 2000 feet in 4 miles. <br><br>The south end of the Woodpecker Trail is at its junction with the Big Meadow Trail; however, if you drove to this end, start from the Church Dome Trailhead at the end of 24S13.<br><br>The trail begins with a 1000-foot climb to a pass just to the right of "Church Dome," the most famous formation in Domeland. This is a rock climber's paradise. It is actually a set of formations that would be better named "Church Spires." Climbers have given name to at least 12 of these. From the far side of the pass, the sheer rock faces of the top of the ridge are even more impressive. This is not a "dome," but a granite ridge sheered off by glaciers. The trail drops rapidly at first, and then gradually descends towards Manter Meadow, crossing over several low glacial moraines.<br><br>The deep green Manter Meadow is the largest meadow within the Domeland Wilderness. You reach the meadow at the junction with the South Manter Trail-34E37. The trail skirts the meadow on the east side and crosses Manter Creek at the junction with the Manter Creek Trail-35E12. Continuing along the meadow, pass a fire circle and a metal frame previously used for a large forest service tent. <br><br>Volunteers were invited here in 2017 to help maintain trails. Clearly they did not have the resources to venture very far. Pass the narrow northern extensions of the meadow, pass the junction with the North Manter Trail-34E14, and cross over a low ridge to an open area with expansive v

Trail Stats

Photos

Morning view from my campsite next to a good stream. The brush has recovered from the 2000 Manter Fire, but the trees may never grow back.

Morning view from my campsite next to a good stream. The brush has recovered from the 2000 Manter Fire, but the trees may never grow back.

Fist Dome on the left and Knuckles in the center-right.

Fist Dome on the left and Knuckles in the center-right.

Church Dome, although "Church Spires" might be a better name. The highest Pinnacle is Class 5 via the easiest route. The pinnacle on the left is Class 5.5. Climbers have given names to twelve of the formations in this picture.

Church Dome, although "Church Spires" might be a better name. The highest Pinnacle is Class 5 via the easiest route. The pinnacle on the left is Class 5.5. Climbers have given names to twelve of the formations in this picture.

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