Trip Reports

We completed a 4-day trip over Cascade Pass and down the Stehekin River to High Bridge.

Highlights and special considerations:

-Biting black flies were the worst I have ever seen! Densities of these flies decreased the further east we hiked.
-Beautiful scenery of course, at Cascade Pass, and all the way down to Cottonwood Camp in the Stehekin Valley. The section of trail east of Pelton Basin to Cottonwood was VERY brushy in places. Watch your step.
-Saw two black bears (one near Park Creek and the other, several miles north of High Bridge)

Plenty of solitude once you head east from Cascade Pass. Enjoy!

We got a bit of a late start, arriving at Mowich Lake about 10:30am. Yes, it was hot, and yes, the bugs were pesky- but aren't they everywhere at the moment?
We got to Spray Park in about an hour (3 miles) and the flowers were amazing & prolific!
Just past Spray Park,on top of a ridge there is a spur trail that leads up between Echo Rock & Observation Rock. We chose to head up the snow (faster) and go around behind OR(to better sneak up on the summit), but encountered a bunch of red,crumbly pumice. Getting over that slowed us up a bit.(the red mixed with the gray granite was pretty though)
We regained a snowslope & then scurried up to the top. The hot sun was producing a veritable symphony of rockfall from the glaciers directly above us- always nice to be watching & listening from a safe distance! We did enjoy a respite from bugs with a nice breeze and a bit of altitude.
(about 8300')
Heading down (good glissades, but bumpy with suncups on my tender derriere,) we noticed some dark, ominous clouds coming our way from the east- this put a bit more spring in our step.
We drove home dreading the hot house that awaited , so we detoured to grab something to eat in an air-conditioned environment- putting off coming home until much later- house was still 87- ugh.

This was my first ever hike to Goat Lake. I chose the lower trail on the way in. The lower trail parallels Elliott Creek and is lined by dense vegetation most of the way. At one point I remarked how it felt like "walking through salad". There are a couple of good views of the creek and a nice stand of white-bark trees (birch?) later on.

The lake itself was enshrouded in mist. At first I was disappointed that I wouldn't get the full view of Foggy Peak and then I noticed how appropriate the name was and thought that it probably looked even more dramatic with clouds swirling around the summit.

The trail along the lake became very brushy as I progressed, and eventually a wet, slippery scramble along roots, rocks and dripping brush. I was soaked and nearly broke my leg on a fall. I decided not to push for the "viewpoint" mentioned in the 100 Hikes Book. Save it for drier weather.

I took the upper trail on the way back. Being an abandoned logging road it's straight and level as an arrow for quite a distance. This was good because it was getting dark and I needed to hurry back to the car. Sunset caught up to me and eventually I hard to break out the headlamp. Fyi, I think bikes are allowed on the upper trail.

http://www.flickr.com/jasonracey

My son and I took a loop trip. We hiked up to Peggy's Pond (should be Ponds) from the Hyas Lake parking area (over 50 cars). Spent 2 nights a little above Peggy's Pond and climbed Mount Daniel. Nice climb via the Hyas Glacier route. Then we went back to Cathedral Pass and took the PCT to Deception Pass. This trail needs some brush work and the crossing of the river was work. Luckily, we had water shoes. Then on to Tuck's Pot and Robin Lakes. We were going to stay 2 nights there also; however, the humidity and bugs convinced us to go back to cool and bug free Montana a day early. These are great places to be a month from now. A WTA work party was doing some good work on the Deception Pass trail replacing wood walkways over swamp area.

Even on a hot, hot, hot, Monday, the trail was busy with families, young children, and senior citizens. The trail is easy and in very nice shape. There were some brave and hardy souls continuing to work on the trail near the new metal bridge -- thank them if you see them for their efforts!

There were lots and lots of annoying, biting flies along the trail, so wear your citronella. Our dog was badly bothered by them, as they bit her big ears repeatedly. I recommend putting some citronella on dogs' ears, too, if you bring them along.

There are several new, quite small ice caves in the snow field that offer sweet, cool relief from the heat, fairly blasting refrigerated air out of their mouths. There are two larger, lovely ice caves on the west side of the rocky hill in the snow field. These caves had big collapses during the three hours we were there. People (children and adults) were going inside the caves, which is beyond dangerous on a 90 degree day, even if you're just going inside the mouth.

We saw columbine, lupine, bleeding hearts and lots of yellow asters at the snow field. All in all, a super day.

Skies were clear, but it was very hot and the bugs are out in force here. There are not just the mosquitoes but biting flies also (DEET seems to have no effect on these tenacious nuisances).

Before entering the Alpine Lakes Wilderness part of the trail (part of the Pacific Crest Trail), you have to hike through the ski area and a huge swath of clearcut for the power lines crackling and buzzing overhead; clearcuts are also visible in the distance. Since there is no cover here, the sun beats down fiercely.

The trail is a bit overgrown with blueberry bushes, and is filled with rocks that roll under your feet.

This all changes once you enter the ALW at about the halfway point of the hike and pass by Lake Susan Jane, though there are still plenty of bugs here.

All in all, not a very pleasant hike. Its main redeeming feature is the rich variety of wildflowers which make it worthwhile for those looking for them.

The hike to Rachel Lake does have water on the trail as previously reported, but it lasts for less than a quarter of a mile and provides no real obstacle. Once you hit Rachel Lake the mosquitoes become apparent. On the way up to Rampart Ridge they intensify, and finally reaching Rampart Lakes, they appear in full force. Be prepared! Rampart Lakes are beautiful of course, one of the top spots in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Come prepared for mosquitoes, or wait and do the hike later in the summer.
http://ontheroad22.com/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/justinreznick/

Decided to check out the Mount Gardner hike, not being sure if the forest service road (FS 9020) was passable or not. As usual, "Day Hiking: Snoqualmie Pass (Nelson & Bauer - Mountaineers Books)" had incorrect directions to the trailhead. Not sure what those guys were smoking, but that is the most mistake-filled guidebook I've ever seen. In this case they tell you to take exit 39 off of I90 - which does not exist either eastbound or westbound. Actually, you need to take exit 38.

FS9020 is closed just past the intersection with the McClellan Butte trail -- and it looks like it's been that way for at least two years. This means you're 3.5 miles from the "trailhead" described in the aforementioned guidebook, making is a really long hike - too long for me, especially in 98-degree heat. Turned back and went & hid out in an air-conditioned starbucks in North Bend.

Temperatures forecasted to reach the 90s argued for a shaded hike, which this is for the first 3 miles. Getting on the trail by 8:15 also helped. The trail is in terrific shape the whole way: wide and dry, with a few glimpses of Frying Pan Creek cascading through a narrow chasm, and good views of Rainier toward the end. Spectacular wildflowers begin just after the bridge at about 3 miles; then switchback up to Summerland camp for more flowers, especially lupine. In Summerland itself there are views in every direction: up toward PanHandle Gap, across toward Goat Island Mountain, and of course Rainier. There are a few flies and enough mosquitoes to make the insect spray worthwhile, but hardly enough to bother you after that. On the way back downhill we ran into many hikers sweating it out in the rapidly rising temperatures - strongly encourage an early start if the weather is warm.

A great hike!

Index-Galena Road out of Index to forest service road 63 was closed 6 miles in (signage was posted) and we had to go to just past Skykomish to forest service road 65.

The trail was clear and dry (a couple little boggy parts). The only snow was right when we arrived at Blanca Lake - none whatsoever on the trail. No trees or other blockages on the trail. Lots of flies on the way up, but no mosquitoes, and just a few little yellowish green bugs at the lake.

I lost my sunglasses on the way up. If anyone finds them, let me know! :)