Devil's Dome Loop — Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016

North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20

Had some friends in town, one of whom didn't feel up to doing full days of backpack like we usually do so we picked to do this loop and split it into more days with shorter legs. Day 1--drove in, started from Canyon Road, got to McMillan--: a couple streams running along the way up the gazillion switchbacks (yeii for cooling off!). Stream right near campsite running well (yeii!), mosquitoes going for the one inch of skin you have left exposed near the eyes (boo!). We skipped trip up to Crater lake, but folks coming down said more of a pond now Day 2-- McMillan to Devils Pass--: nice stream running at Devils Park with pretty meadow (closer to McMillan is more swampy). Lots of up and down on this one. No difficulties with water along the way as long as you carry at least 2 L at all times and refill/drink at streams, very exposed though, so watch that heat. Saw the only marmot on this trip. Good water source is a still running waterfall on the way up towards the middle of the last "up" leg before the Devils Pass camps. **If you manage to get enough water at this one (yes, i know, lugging all that water up the hill), stay at the camps up on the ridge a slight distance before the trail intersection at the pass (gorgeous sites, wind, no water).** We ended up going to the actual intersection and getting water from the spring which is in very sad shape: there's still water with a small pool from which you can scoop water trying to not disturb the bottom. Further down from that one is all mud and shallow trickles. The campsite was insane with biting flies. We watched most of the sunset then hid in tents. Day 3-- Devils Pass to Devils Dome--: views and more views and obviously dry. There are a few small patches of snow remaining on top, no melting run off. HOWEVER, if you just drop bags and hike down a bit, there's a perfectly usable stream that you can even see from the upper switchbacks. Then just drag that water back and good to go. Earplugs helped block for all the flapping the tent did in the wind at night. Day 4-- Devils Dome to Ross Lake Devil's Creek/junction--: southern side of the hill (VERY hot), lots of thimble-berries, some blueberries, bugs will chase you off the berry picking. Overgrown in parts, machetes encouraged ;) Reports say Dry Creek is dry. Ross lake apparently gives preference to boaters, so the hiker campsites are far from the lake, lots of them can't even see the lake. We walked over to the dock and vegged in front of somebody's campsite (they boated in). A boat ranger stopped by and there was talk my friend overheard of "leaving something for him" so maybe that's the way to get a waterfront site. Campsite water is a stream. You probably want to avoid the toilet, we were bringing up blair witch project memories. Dig those holes. Day 5--Ross lake to car at Canyon Road-- Nice and flat for the most part, mostly covered, lots of streams, views of gorgeous river with beautiful pools you just want to jump into. Last 3 miles are all about rock hopping through rock falls and climbing over logs. I thought this part was a maintained trail but apparently I was wrong.