Lake Donald,Lake Julius,Loch Eileen,Lake Ethel

I had not hiked the Chiwaukum area much and decided that an approach via Lk. Ethel (5 mi.) would be an easy entry versus the 10 mile approach up Chiwaukum Creek. The trail is fairly steep (3200' gain)and has no easy water. With a five day pack and 90 degree temps it was a little more strenuous day than I expected. (Whew!) Lake Ethel has a large semi-open space for camping at the outlet but lacked coziness and privacy. I was the only visitor on Monday but I could see that any sense of solitude would be missing if any other parties were present. I was happy to move on Tuesday morning, climbing about 500' and then dropping 900' to Lake Julius, a total of 2.5 miles, followed by a 500', 1.3 mile climb to Loch Eileen. The main campsites at both of these lakes were similar to Ethel, suitable for large parties (like a cavalry) but not appealing to soloists although the upper end of Julius did have some nicer spots. I decided to continue up to Lk. Donald at about 6000'. The route has been carefully cairned, a blessing to those like myself with 20/40 vision that might not pick up a faint trace 50 feet away. Climbing from shelf to shelf via bits of path and routes across rock ribs, the route avoids the impressive cliffs seen from the lower valley. It's above Eileen that this trip goes from mundane to sublime. Hanging off the side of McCue Ridge, beautiful Lake Donald is enclosed by a rock rim adorned with mountain hemlock and white pine. Two campsites were noted, both small and showing light usage. The next morning I crcumnavigeted the lake in about 2 hours, catching and releasing numerous healthy cutthroat, none large. In the afternoon I decided to reach Point 6925' which is southwest of the lake. Following the rock ""lip"" enclosing the lake westward, the route passes spectacular looks down to the other lakes from the clifftops. As you rise above Donald the feel becomes even more alpine with exposed rock, small tarns, tiny waterfalls and flowers in a large basin. Bending southward now to approach the peak from the north, a steep but easy scramble leads to the summit but be prepared... The view over the other side is incredible, looking into the upper Chiwaukum Valley and across a HUGE gulf to Larch and Cup Lakes and the glaciers and snowfields above them. That night as I bed down at dark a coyote came along the ""lip"" in full view twenty feet above my tent and howled once before moving on. Awakening Thursday to the smell of smoke, I clambered up the lip to greet a cantaloupe colored sun, discolored by forest fire smoke. Although I was sure it wasn't in my path out, I decided to hike the 10 miles out in one day instead of two. Although up and down, the 10 miles out seemed easier than the five miles in.