Benchmark Mountain, Blue Lake High, West Cady Ridge, Quartz Creek, Lake Ann, Dishpan Gap
Jul 09, 2005
by
Robin and Mitch
—
last modified
Mar 24, 2010 10:51 AM
- Type of Outing
- Day hike
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Benchmark Mountain
- Region: Central Cascades -- Stevens Pass - West
- Agency: Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Skykomish Ranger District
- Trails: Benchmark Mountain (#1054.1)
- Avg Rating: 3.00
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Blue Lake High
- Region: Central Cascades
- Trails: Blue Lake High (#652.1)
- Avg Rating: 3.50
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: West Cady Ridge
- Region: Central Cascades -- Stevens Pass - West
- Trails: West Cady Ridge (#1054)
- Avg Rating: 2.57
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Quartz Creek
- Region: Central Cascades -- Stevens Pass - West
- Agency: Mt. Baker - Snoqualmie National Forest - Skykomish District
- Trails: Quartz Creek (#1050)
- Avg Rating: 2.40
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Lake Ann (Rainy Pass)
- Region: North Cascades -- North Cascades Highway
- Agency: Mount Baker - Snoqualmie National Forest, Mount Baker Ranger District
- Trails: Maple Pass (#740), Lake Ann (#740A)
- Avg Rating: 4.31
- Read More in our Hiking Guide
- Hike: Dishpan Gap
- Region: Central Cascades
- Avg Rating: 2.50
- Be Aware Of
- Bugs
Dishpan Gap Loop, 34 miles, 7226’ feet gain and 4 nights. This loop is mainly in the Henry M. Jackson wilderness.
We took the North Fork Skykomish River Road at the Index junction, off Hwy. 2, and arrived at the Quartz Creek-West Cady Ridge trail head in late afternoon. The trail begins in woods and gradually climbs to Curry Gap. There we found a campsite by the trail junction to Bald Eagle Mt., trail #650, with a spring nearby.
In the morning we headed toward Bald Eagle Mt. up steep switchbacks to ridge-top meadows, here the views begin. At 8.5 miles, just past Long John Mt., is a good campsite with a fresh running stream. At 11 miles is the trail junction to Blue Lake (no stock allowed). This side trip is well worth the effort. The view of Little Blue Lake and the bigger Blue Lake, from June Mt., doesn’t glimpse into the close-up beauty of these lakes. After a dip in the lake and a good nights sleep we hiked about 950’ feet, over the ridge, back to trail #650. On the ridge we had great views of Glacier Peak, Sloan Peak, Mt. Rainier and many more peaks. When we arrived at Dishpan Gap we took a side trip to Sauk Pass and beheld an exceptional view of Glacier Peak. After a bit of lunch we returned to the PCT and Lake Sally Ann where we settled into a fine hike-in camp ground (no stock allowed), at 16 miles. During the night we were awakened by a deer peaking into our tent.
The next day was short due to the morning rain and little motivation to leave our nice warm tent but we packed up when the rain stopped and hiked to Pass Creek at 20.6 miles and set up camp on a nice spot. Not long after, a PCT thru-hiker arrived heading south from BC. In the morning we shared coffee and stories then he headed off to Stevens Pass.
On our last day we took switchbacks up the PCT to the West Cady Ridge, trail #1054. At 23.5 miles is a short trail to the summit of Bench Mark Mt. with great views and a summit register. The camps on the ridge are plenty but the water comes from occasional tarns which are small and stale. We filled up with water at a stream right before Saddle Gap with the intention of hiking the 10 miles and 2176’ feet gain out.
I am always amazed at the awesome wilderness experience that can be had so close to home. This was a worth while backpack with views, wildlife, trails in great condition and, due to the low snow fall this year, not a bit of snow on the trail.
We took the North Fork Skykomish River Road at the Index junction, off Hwy. 2, and arrived at the Quartz Creek-West Cady Ridge trail head in late afternoon. The trail begins in woods and gradually climbs to Curry Gap. There we found a campsite by the trail junction to Bald Eagle Mt., trail #650, with a spring nearby.
In the morning we headed toward Bald Eagle Mt. up steep switchbacks to ridge-top meadows, here the views begin. At 8.5 miles, just past Long John Mt., is a good campsite with a fresh running stream. At 11 miles is the trail junction to Blue Lake (no stock allowed). This side trip is well worth the effort. The view of Little Blue Lake and the bigger Blue Lake, from June Mt., doesn’t glimpse into the close-up beauty of these lakes. After a dip in the lake and a good nights sleep we hiked about 950’ feet, over the ridge, back to trail #650. On the ridge we had great views of Glacier Peak, Sloan Peak, Mt. Rainier and many more peaks. When we arrived at Dishpan Gap we took a side trip to Sauk Pass and beheld an exceptional view of Glacier Peak. After a bit of lunch we returned to the PCT and Lake Sally Ann where we settled into a fine hike-in camp ground (no stock allowed), at 16 miles. During the night we were awakened by a deer peaking into our tent.
The next day was short due to the morning rain and little motivation to leave our nice warm tent but we packed up when the rain stopped and hiked to Pass Creek at 20.6 miles and set up camp on a nice spot. Not long after, a PCT thru-hiker arrived heading south from BC. In the morning we shared coffee and stories then he headed off to Stevens Pass.
On our last day we took switchbacks up the PCT to the West Cady Ridge, trail #1054. At 23.5 miles is a short trail to the summit of Bench Mark Mt. with great views and a summit register. The camps on the ridge are plenty but the water comes from occasional tarns which are small and stale. We filled up with water at a stream right before Saddle Gap with the intention of hiking the 10 miles and 2176’ feet gain out.
I am always amazed at the awesome wilderness experience that can be had so close to home. This was a worth while backpack with views, wildlife, trails in great condition and, due to the low snow fall this year, not a bit of snow on the trail.
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