Two ladies on our tail as we drove into the parking lot were the only indication of others around at the moment. Unfortunately they didn’t know what trail passes were and after a bit of half hearted exploration had to abandon their original plans entirely, in favor of a short walk down the Cady Creek trail. Ben and Casey were quite interested in sniffing them and their hats (when offered) but still wary, ready to bark and bolt away.

Early on we came into waist high (3') overgrowth, the trail is crossing avalanche fields and you might as well get used to it! My hiking poles held out at arm’s length in front, earned their money’s worth detecting hidden boulders. Forested areas were a welcome break from the overgrowth but there are few of them. Lots of mud bogs to go through, some of them quite stinky. We came to the first campground which was full, looked to be a trail crew, after that we started uphill and were amazed to look back and see how far we’d climbed. The switchbacks go up the mountainside quickly but don’t seem to be that steep as you’re going. What a relief to get to the place where the trailcrew had stopped working for the day! No overgrowth from there on(they are working their way down, YAY!). But no suitable camp spots too steep. Topping out at the first meadow we needed to camp, we were wet and cold and tired. But alas, a tent in that spot and another over there and there and what looked from a distance to be an open site turned out to be occupied at the moment, a rainsuited person walked out to greet us, the wilderness ranger pointed us to where he thought we might find a site. We wandered back and forth and no luck, wanting to stay away from people we decided to continue up the trail. The wilderness ranger’s friend came out to us and offered the site they were cooking in which was available for camping, they would remove all their stuff…We were so tired and cold we accepted and decided to take our chances with whatever might be attracted to their cooking smells. It turned out to be a safe bet. The morning showed us a lovely meadow view, Ben and Casey were in their element bounding through the tall grass, we watched them almost disappear then spring up in the midst of a full run as English Springer Spaniels were bred to do.

On the way back in the morning we heard the bullfrog like sounds of Grouse, lots of birds and squirrels, a small mouse-like creature ran out from where Ben and Casey nosed through the grass, between their legs and back into the grass again behind them, the place where a herd of deer or ' had bedded down for the night and smooshed the plants down…lots of interesting rocks and mica…Lots of flowers!

If ever there was a candidate for ""trail in trouble"", it's the one along the Little Wenatchee River, up to Meander Meadows and a junction with the PCT at Sauk Pass. We were told it was an entry in a book called something like ""100 Hikes to Skip in WA"", described as not worth the destination, due to bugs, overgrown vegetation and elevation gain. No doubt, all these things are there in abundance, along with big rocks, eroded tread, and streams running blatantly downtrail. Plus, the trailhead is at the end of more than 14 miles of rocky single lane dirt road (FS 65).

Truly, after 4 miles upping and downing alongside the river, with the plants over my head, the trail an unseen gutter underfoot, the mosquitoes and black flies feasting on my ears, and the air a humid 90 degree sweatbath, I could think of lots more fun things to be doing. Just about then, the trail got serious and climbed 1400 feet in less than 2 miles. Here also was a major blowdown, where dirty snow was piled up on downed trees, offering several muddy choices across. The bugs kept us from resting too much on the uphill.

But oh the wonderful feeling, at the end of 7 miles, when we were at 5300 feet, camped in a heather and wildflower meadow crossed by rivulets big and little, above a ridge where the streams gathered themselves before going over a rocky cliff, becoming a river in the process. We'd spent the day tramping through glorious wildflowers, with an insect orchestra providing musical background. We'd been practically the only people on the trail all day, finding only one other party at the meadow. (They danced naked in the meadow that evening, splashing around in the river!) We soaked our weary toes in the closest pool and looked up at Kodak Peak to the north, feeling powerful in our fortitude and ready for a weekend of hiking along the PCT, about a mile further on. I'd hate to lose this quick but not painless entrance to some wondrous high country, south of Glacier Peak. So go there, and TAKE LOPPERS! And lots of bug goop.

Cady Ridge #1532, PCT, Little Wenatchee River #1525. 9/11 to 9/13/99 Access is from Little Wenatchee river road , FS road 65. The bridge across the Little Wenatchee river, near the trailhead, is gone. There was a small log across the river near the ford, which I used. It looked like it would also be easy to wade across at the ford, this time of year. Trailhead 3000 feet elevation. Cady Ridge trail turns off Cady Creek trail #1501 at about ½ mile from the trailhead. It switchbacks gently up the side of the ridge in forest to about 3800 feet. Then it follows the ridge line up, somewhat steeply at times. At around 5000 feet and 3 miles it opens up into meadow. It is a pleasant meadow walk form there to the PTC. There were a couple of small streams in the first few switchbacks and near the PTC. A few blow-downs which were easy to get over or around. The trail appeared little used but in generally very good condition. Lake Sally Ann, about ½ mile south on the PCT from the Cady Ridge junction, was still ½ covered with snow. Looked like a popular spot with several camp sites. Went north on the PCT from here to Wards Pass, Dishpan Gap, Meander Meadow (Little Wenatchee River trail), Indian Pass, White River trail #1507 junction, Reflection Ponds and White Pass area. A distance of about 7 miles. It is mostly high, open meadow country. The trail does drop down a few hundred feet to Indian pass. There were still a number of snow patches across this part of the PCT, but none a challenge. Returned to the road via the Little Wenatchee River trail. From Meander Meadow on out, the Little Wenatchee River trail was 6 miles of avalanche brush with a few bits of forest. The brush was mostly bracken fern and salmon berry with a few wildflowers. The trail was easy enough to follow, but often rocky with a number of ups and downs. On a warm, sunny afternoon it was not a lot of fun. Cady Ridge trail seemed like a much nicer way to access the PCT from Little Wenatchee Ford area.

Trail brushy in areas with some water on trail in a few spots. Still patches of snow at the West end of Meander Meadow. Lots of relentless mosquitos to fight off. Trail from meadow to PCT in good shape. Trail clear up to Kodak Peak, and once there, exceptional view! PCT to Lk. Sally Ann in good shape with the occasional snow patch on trail. Sally Ann still 3/4 covered with ice. Many late blooming, immature spring flowers apparently shocked with late thaw.