Downey Creek, Bachelor Meadows — Saturday, Aug. 1, 2015

North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway

Having dealt with Bachelor Creek and Downey Creek Trails when they left me a whimpering mess, my recent experience was pure elation. Our party finished the Ptarmigan Traverse this past Saturday and came down the 13 miles from Cub lake via the Bachelor and Downey Creek trails. The Bachelor Creek Trail was beautifully ribboned and brushed out. It might not be like the hwy to Cascade Pass but to climbers that have previously gotten lost for hours in the slide alder thickets... the trail was perfect. Think a deluxe climbers route. Thank you to the people who did this work!!!! Berries, both blueberries and huckleberries were everywhere. Downey Creek trail was nearly perfect. The tread and bridges were in fine shape. Several massive (4+ feet in diameter) were across the trail but nice work-arounds did not delay progress in the least. Again, thanks to WTA for making the end of this traverse very pleasant.