Quartz Creek, Bald Eagle Mountain, Johnson Mountain, Blue Lake High, Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Section K - Stevens Pass - East to Rainy Pass, West Cady Ridge

Felt like escaping to wander yet again and air out. Along the way I got it into my head that it would be nice to hike 30 miles for my 30th birthday. I overshot my goal a little but still close enough.

Left work early Wednesday and made the long drive over Jacks Pass and the Beckler Road. Set out just after 6pm on the Quartz Creek trail and made it to Curry Gap about 7:30. A very nice swimming hole along the way. Trail is also pretty overgrown in places with stinging nettles. Clouds dropped on me at Curry but bugs were not bad.

Out of camp later than planned at 7:30 and up the Bald Eagle Mountain trail. Also overgrown in places and I was soaked from dew. On the ridge I made my way up Bald Eagle Mountain. More difficult than I expected due to brush (though not sure I took a good route) and it took longer than I wanted. Bugs on the summit were horrendous and views so so; not worth the effort. Descent took awhile.

Back on trail and made good time to June Mountain. Some blow downs along the way. Not many flowers but lots of corn lilies. Had lunch on top of June Mountain along with lots of mosquitoes. Ran into another hiker here. Descended to Little Blue Lake on rocky trail. Little Blue lake is nice and the water a good swimming temperature. Moved on to Blue Lake and setup my tent to ditch my gear. Took a light pack and went up Johnson Mountain (forgetting to bring my water bottle!). Met a nice older couple on the ridge who came in from White Pass. Views from Johnson were good but lots of clouds coming in and breezy.

Descended back to Blue Lake to figure out where I wanted to go now. Too early to setup camp so I packed up and headed up the Blue Lake High route towards the PCT. This is more a boot path than a real trail but not too bad. Dropped down to Dishpan Gap on the other side and met the PCT. Thought about camping at Wards Pass or anywhere with a view of Glacier Peak but it was socked in with heavy clouds. Opted to move on to Lake Sally Anne and shorten my hike out. Camped here with a nice older couple. Clear skies on this side of the ridge and I saw many meteors, including one very bright one.

Out of camp on time about 6:45 and moving on. The PCT is nice to hike when you want to make up miles; good tread, not too steep. I'd wanted to go up Skykomish Peak too but walked too far past a good ascent route, oh well. Continued on and refilled on water at Cady Pass. Climbed up and met the West Cady Ridge trail from the PCT. Continued up and had lunch on top of Benchmark Mountain. Great views! Signed the register (which needs a real book) and packed out a water bottle someone left.

On the way out I met a hunter/guide with binoculars looking for deer, a pair of dayhikers, and a family hiking up along with their 80 and 82 year old grandparents! Great weather and some awesome scenery! Bugs were present and annoying in a few places but on the whole not too bad.