Boundary Trail - Pasayten — Friday, Oct. 5, 2012

North Cascades > Pasayten

I headed north on the Boundary trail from Iron Gate looking for Larch color. At Horseshoe Basin I took the side trail to Smith lake…some nice Larch color but most (3/4) of the Larch had already lost their needles…the very dry fall? Next, I went back to the Boundary trail and north past Loudon Lake – now dry. The Larch on the north side of Rock Mtn. had also lost most of their needles. I continued on the Boundary trail to the south shoulder of Haig Mtn. Some nice color, but again most of the Larch had already lost their needles. At that point I turned around. If you’re looking for Larch gold this year, you may have better luck closer to the Cascade crest. On the other hand I had beautiful blue skies & sunshine; and no smoke form the fires further south.