Trip Reports

We set off from the trailhead, climbing solidly from the beginning, getting right to the gaining of 3,000 feet. I was happy to see that we did not have to ford Granite Creek, as my map from 1985 indicated. There was a trail sign that the Skagit Alpine Club was maintaining the trail so we have them to thank.

Once we left the forest for the basin beneath Ragged Ridge, the views and flowers began. I even spotted a hummingbird zipping around the Columbines. The last bit was on a scree slope with a well-defined trail zig-zagging upward toward the gap that led to Easy Pass. Once at the gap, the marmots welcomed us with whistles and a game of hide-and-seek. The clouds rolled in and out while we enjoyed our lunch but I managed to photo Fisher Valley below and Fisher Peak above. The geologist in our group said that the black rocky peak to our left was known as the ""Wandering Batholith"" and was thought to have origins in South America, having pushed up through the earth's mantel.

Although this hike is not easy, as the name may suggest, I highly recommend it for challenge and high alpine scenery. And no bugs!

Looking for a scramble in the easy pass region, we settled on

Kitling Peak. A prior report from Oct 8, 2006 is posted on

this website.

From the trailhead up to Easy Pass was smooth; trail is in

fine condition and very few bugs thanks to the prior cold

snap. From the pass we angled up and first went to Pt. 7690.

From here, steep crappy scree talus slopes to the south side of

ragged ridge took us to the low point between Pt. 7690 and

our objective Pt. 8003. More crappy scree talus heading

WNW leads you to numerous gully options. Our choice

was one of the first, which quickly became class 4 loose

rock you would never want to downclimb.

More crappy traversing on steep scree led to a better

gully and on to the top. Arriving at the top, we learned that

we were only the second party to summit this year. Now I

know why. This one is not worth the trouble. If you must

do it, go for spring when snow covers the scree slopes and you

could cruise across nicely. Better yet, forget Kitling and

do Mesahchie Peak instead.

No snow of any significance. A few blowdowns easy to step over in the first open avalanche chute area. Mosquitoes and a horse fly at the pass. Wildflowers were thick and colorful on the Park side of the pass.

Easy Pass was NOT named by the person who named Greenland. 4 mi., not much more than 3000'. Fine trail, rocky in the upper mile or two. We were 4 hrs. up and 3 hrs. down, not particularly hurrying. There was snow on the upper 1/3 or so, not an impediment.

Mid-Oct. is a grand time for this hike. Yellow larches, dusting of snow. Do NOT do this hike in impaired visibility. Do NOT just go to the pass and turn around; take the time to ascend the ridges NW (towards Kitling Peak) and SE of the pass. These are easy, simple walk-ups that deserve your attention. Start early an be prepared to return late so you'll have time for them, else someday you may have to answer for it.

Views include Logan, El Dorado, Austera, Klawatti and North Klawatti glaciers (I may have some of this wrong); Fisher, Black, Arriva; and on the NE, the entire spread of the NE side of Granite Creek from Jack Mt. thru Silver Star and beyond. You can see the entire Fisher Creek basin.

Please be extremely careful with your feet; it's an accessible area and must be very fragile when it's not under snow.

Some rockfall cluttered the trail in the basin. If everybody was in the habit of clearing just a few rocks, drains, or windfalls.... but don't dump big rocks on the switchback below, like Dummy here almost did, OK?

Trail is in great shape with no obvious damage from the November 2006 storms. A couple of minor blowdowns to cross. Other than that, no problems. The bugs were out in full force, and the wildflowers have come and gone. Also, views were a little hazy on the day we went due to the forest fire near Domke Lake, but still was spectacular. We saw 2 marmots at the pass, 8 blue grouse, and 4 other hikers.

Our Troop took advantage of some unseasonably mild mid-October weather to hike the length of trail 741 from the Easy Pass trailhead through Fisher Creek basin and up the Thunder Creek trail to Colonial Creek.

The trailhead at Easy Pass is in great shape - newer facilities and mid-sized parking lot. No other vehicles were parked there besides ours. The trail starts level for a very short while and quickly crosses Granite Creek on a nice log bridge. Soon afterwards, a moderate grade begins through forest for a mile or two.

After about a thousand feet of elevation gain, we broke out above treeline into an avalanche chute. The trail got steeper and rockier, and the vista changed considerably for the better. Scarlet huckleberries mixed with other yellow alpine scrub made for a highly colorful route.

Contrasting with other trip reports, we saw no evidence of bear presence. The huckleberries were gone, so the food supply has relocated or the bears are already hibernating.

The grade increased to a moderately strenous level, increasing generally with altitude. The trail becomes very rocky and leads upward through a notch between two conical peaks.

At the top of Easy Pass, we were treated to even more intense red huckleberry colors, backlit in spectacular fashion by an afternoon sun. At the top, we saw a grove of larches, golden in their autumn hue. The path leading up to the actual peak was trimmed with a strip of red huckleberries almost as if professionally landscaped. This was absolutely a highlight of the 3 day trip. There is a rock at the top that's perfect for sitting and enjoying the vista including Mount Logan and the Douglas Glacier across the Fisher Creek Basin. Doing this on a relatively clear day is essential!

At this point, the trail rapidly descends via switchbacks into the basin before meandering a short way through a willow grove into Fisher Camp. The trail becomes less well defined in places - look for the trampled grass. We camped here the first night. The water source is to the left and down to the creek, and 3 campsites are to the right and uphill. The campsite with the best view is on the left. The best place to hang a bear bag is in the center (most uphill) campsite, where there is a partially downed tree about 12 feet up. The ranger indicated that this was a high bear activity region, but we neither saw nor heard any evidence of their presence.

Our second day of hiking took us through the Fisher Creek basin. The entire trail until the junction with the Thunder Creek trail was level to gently rolling. We passed through forest, avalanche chutes, and a corridor of rockfall.

The biggest navigational challenges were the last 2 creek crossings prior to the Thunder Creek trail. Both creeks essentially had washed out the trail, probably due to the severe autumn storms of a few years ago. Trail crews have not been in here this far since then. These crossing are worth taking a bit of time to scout out the best place to cross. In addition, we crossed during a time of low water levels. In spring, these very well might be impassable.

Providing you can navigate these obstacles, the minor problem of blowdown is also in existence in this stretch of trail. In one or two places, ducking under or over a log was not an option and we had to bushwhack about 30 yards around a downed tree.

At the Junction campsite, the trail appears to split - to go to Thunder Creek, you must take a left and go uphill to the actual trail junction. The part of the trail that seems to go straight here is probably just a water access spur that dead ends along Fisher Creek.

The Junction campground is worth a quick side trip - go uphill and there is a nice vista of Mount Logan (?). The Thunder Creek trail descends rapidly and crosses some of the new bridges built since the storm. The trail and bridge work get better after Junction and generally improve the closer you get to Colonial Creek.

We camped the 2nd night at the McAllister campground. There are many tent sites here, and the forest is carpeted with a lush undergrowth of moss everywhere. The furthest campsite in is next to Thunder Creek. Evidence of the storm damage is everywhere - the banks of the creek were literally scoured with rocks and downed trees.

October seems to be the perfect season to do this particular hike. I would expect that Easy Pass is not normally snow-free in mid-October but if you find that the snowline is high this time of year pick a sunny day and treat yourself to a spectacular trip!

I hiked to Easy Pass on Sunday September 17th hoping to find a little snow at the top. This trip was my first to Easy Pass and has left me wondering why I have waited so long to hike there. The hike is not nearly as hard as some guide books would lead you to believe. I also feel that the two trail reports from this year don't do justice to the beauty of this hike.

The trail starts in deep North Cascade forest with a log bridge crossing of Granite Creek. The log bridge has cable railings on both sides which could use some tightening, but are sturdy enough. The log bridge is courtesy of the Skagit Alpine Club and has been flattened on top to a width of about twelve inches. I was surprised to find Cedar trees in the lower forested section of the trail. There is also Western White (silver) Pine amoung the trees. The trail climbs 900 to 1000 feet fairly steeply (this is an old miners trail) to a very large hanging basin. This basin is mostly parkland with great views both up to Easy Pass and down past Granite Creek to the ridges on the opposite side of highway 20. The tall mountains crowding in from both sides come into view as you enter this first basin. At about 4900 to 5000 feet are several large boulders right beside the trail with nice flat tops to sit. It is as if nature purposefully put them there for a rest area. This is spot is about 1 1/2 hours in for a slow hiker like me and halfway to the pass.

The trail starts another steep climb from here up to what may be another much smaller hanging basin or possibly an old eroded glacial moraine. A very large cinnamon black bear was working the talus rock slope to the east of the trail here. My guess would be 350 to 450 pounds of bear, mostly very cinnamon, slightly lighter on top, classic large black bear ears, and a noticably white nose. I got a good look since the bear was only about 80 yards off the trail on my way up. This was at about 5500 feet elevation. Hope none of the hunters read these reports!

Above this second small basin the trail switchbacks up to the pass on shoveled rock talus. Snow level started at about 6000 feet, but the trail was obvious to follow and at the pass the snow was only four to six inches deep. On the Granite Creek side of the pass is a rocky knob that can be sat on which was snow free. The views from here are of Mt Hardy with Golden Horn in the background. You are looking across the Granite Creek drainage at the un-named ridge that parallels highway 20 from East Creek to Swamp Creek. One can also see up the Swamp Creek drainage from this rocky knob and with binoculars the Pacific Crest Trail can be seen traversing the ridge above the Swamp Creek headwaters from Granite Pass towards Methow Pass.

Walking through the pass to the Fisher Creek side gives one a view of Fisher Basin and all the surrounding mountains. Fisher Basin is outstanding and was occupied by four more black bears foraging for berries. The mountain view here starts with Fisher Peak towering above the head of Fisher Basin with the top of Black Peak near Maple Pass rising up behind Fisher Peak. Continue around clockwise to Mt Arriva across Fisher Basin and right in front of you, followed next by Mt Logan again right in front of you just a little farther away, and then around to Primus and Tricouni Peaks further down Fisher Creek toward Thunder Creek. Unfortunately, clouds were rolling in and blocked my view of the later two peaks. To the right of the pass when facing Fisher Creek, Katsuk and Mesahchie Peaks can be seen. I am told that the ridge to the right of the pass can be climbed when there is not any snow, but is too slippery and rather unsure footing when there is snow.

Although the final climb to the pass is on rock talus, the pass itself is parkland populated by Western Larch (tamarack) trees. These tamarack have not turned yellow yet either, which means the best is yet to come for fall viewing at Easy Pass. The blueberries here are not very good as in most of the North Cascades this year. Only the very highest ones where good to eat and there are very few of them. Passed by two ptarmingins on the way up at about 5900 feet, just below where the all rock switchbacks started. Chipmunks where everywhere in the rocks, but only heard a couple of marmots and didn't see any. The cinnamon black bear was still working the talus when I went and even closer to the trail than when I went up. Good thing that he was a friendly fellow intent on eating whatever he was finding. We just looked at each other and went on about our own business.

There were three other hikers on the trail this day. One was visiting from Connecticut and passed by me when I was taking a break at the rocks on the way up. He was hiking head down intent on getting to the pass. When I reached the pass, I asked him if he had seen the cinnamon black bear. He response was no and he asked where it was in relation to the trail. I was amazed that someone could pass within 100 years or less of a large bear that was in the open and not see it. This fellow decided to hike down with a backpacker that had come up from Fisher Camp down in the basin.

All in all, I think this is a great hike. The views are just as good as Maple Pass, better than Cutthroat Pass, and the hike is not that difficult.

My brother had a big trip planned into the core of the south unit of North Cascades National Park, and I decided to tag along for the first weekend, up Hwy 20 and over Easy Pass and down into Fisher Creek Basin and back again. Wow, were we in for a surprise! After beautiful weather for weeks on end, winter hit 24 hours before we set out, and we ran into the first snow of the season (and quite a bit of it!), which was really beautiful. The trail is scenic and in nearly perfect shape, and relatively *easy* considering the elevation gain. Oh, and did I mention the bears? The place is full of 'em! We got so used to seeing them we weren't even surprised when another one was seen ambling across the meadows. Mostly we think they were eating the copious quantities of huckleberries that are everywhere (can't blame 'em)! We camped at the very nice Fisher Camp, endured some sprinkles in the night, then spent day 2 exploring the upper Basin. The way trail begins about 50 yards downhill from the post pointing the way back up to Easy Pass. Wet brush doused us as we followed the route up into the open meadows and finally the barren rockslides. I got as far as the upper bowl, rock-hopping. Marmot crews were busy patrolling and whistling. It was easy to spend the whole day up there, absorbing it all. We were really lucky to have some clearer weather the third morning! I headed back up over the pass and ran into some day-hikers there, the first other people we'd seen since coming over the pass 2 days prior. More snow had fallen but the trail was easy to find. It warmed a bit on the way back to the car, through the beautiful old forest. And NO BUGS due to the late season! Fall colors limited mostly to ash trees and huckleberry leaves at high altitudes, some of the larch is just starting to turn.

Guess it's an understatement that I'm getting out quite a lot this summer. I just can't stand wasting good weather when there's nothing else particularly to do. Besides, it's that point in the year where most hikes become increasingly casual; the snow is gone, many trails are brushed out, I'm in good shape. I just headed up to Easy Pass and then up onto the ridge to the right of the pass (above most of the bugs) and read a book for a few hours.

The trail was in great shape, there is now a good log bridge across Granite Creek near the trailhead and there are no blowdowns across the trail. Much to my surprize on this mild but sunny August Saturday, I only encountered two other parties on the trail. Come and get this one guys, it's beautiful!

A gorgeous hike with incredible views at the pass. Bugs weren't as bad as expected, but they are there. Just don't stop (ha ha). The new log bridge at the first creek crossing is great! (Book says you have to wade through).

Nice trail through the woods for the first mile and a half or so. At the creek crossing about a mile in (not the small step-over ones - it's the one with tree branches laid over the creek), it would look easier to cross by the rocks rather than the tree branches, but LOOK OUT FOR THE BEES NEST - it's a nasty one and got stung, and we later came across another hiker who got stung also. Just look out for it.

After the forest you're in the sun the rest of the way up, but it's a nice steady ascent up, and you can always see the pass, so you can tell how much farther you have to go. Doesn't get really steep until the end, then you're there! Spectacular views of the peaks and glaciers and fisher creek basin below! Scramble up the hill a ways for even better views of the glaciers.

On the way down the rocky trail is hard on the feet, but once you get back to the forest it's nice and cool and easy on the feet.

Thursday, July 15th - We have bridge! The new bridge is in place over Granite Creek and it is a beauty. (Great Grandma Walker still walking the streets of Edmonds at 90 years of age could even cross this creek without assistance.) A warm beautiful day yet there was only one other hiker seen the whole day on the Easy Pass Trail. (Which is not that easy.) No snow is left on the trail which is in good shape all the way to the pass. However, it should be stated for those who have not yet hiked this trail that the the last two miles to the pass is one very rocky trail. It does not seem that bad going up but the downhill return is rough until you reach the forest where the trail is excellent. The bugs are here but a nice breeze kept them down. This hike is a good one but I would rank it below Yellow Aster Butte and Maple Pass. (Also in the North Cascades.) Some road delay outside Newhalen as they are repairing winter slide damage. (5 to 10 minutes delay each way although the sign warned it may be 30 to 45 minutes.)

I started early on Sunday morning to help beat the heat, and was, furthermore, able to stay cool due to the access to water all the way to the pass. The faster moving streams I drank from with no ill effects. There were a few patches of snow to cross but nothing intimidating. Playful marmots were visible as soon as I got out of the timber. Paintbrush, anemones, lily and other flowers visible. Once at the Pass (under three-hours), I scrambled up the northern (right-hand) ""ragged ridge"" for as far as most people would consider safe and was rewarded with extraordinary views. This probably put me at about 7000' with views of Jack & Crater Mtns to the north, Tower Mtn to the east and many others not visible from the ""saddle"" of Easy Pass. Encountering only three other parties of two/each, I'm surprised the holiday weekend did not draw more folks for such a lovely walk.

Saturday was a wonderfull day in the cascades with temperatures approaching 80 in the alpine. The first two miles of the trail were a breeze as elevation gains are gently made through the forest. A creek passes over the trail towards the end of the forest section. Snow covered the trail for the remaining 2 miles of the trip which made the route more direct. Bring poles or an ice ax to ease the climb up hill. The trail appears and disappears several times up the pass section. The views from the top of the pass are spectacular and the wild flowers are beginning to appear. Bugs were minimal. Bring some water proof long pants to glissade back down the pass. The ample amount of remaing snow in the bowl allowed for a quick trip down back to the forest. Total travel time including an hour of relaxing at the top of the pass was 5.5 hours.

warning!

there is a hornets nest is a fallen log on an incline up about 25 minutes from the trailhead, or one mile from the cars. the entrance to the nest is hidden from view hiking from the trailhead to the pass. the nest is on the left side. it is past the cut wood bridges, and in the middle of several mushroom growths alongside the trail.

i was bitten twice there.

unfortunately, this is not the only place that i got stung. i also got bitten after just crossing the fallen log crossing at granite creek on the car side of the creek.

also, i met another backpacker who got stung by a wasp in the forest. so watch out.

this is the start of nesting season for these stingers, so BE CAREFUL and on the lookout.

i notified marblemount ranger station, and was told that the standard procedure is to post a sign at the trailhead, notify the ranger, and any trail crews. [no exterminators out in the woods].

ironically, for a destination famous for its bugs, the pass was free on anything that attacks humans.

No bridge over the first stream crossing, a handy log can be found a couple of hundred feet downstream. Also easy enough to wade across, water at most knee-high.

Trail is in great shape all the way up to the pass. Water available for about the first half of the trail, none past the crossing of the avalanche fan.

No snow, no bugs (well, hardly any), zillions of blueberries in the high meadows, all the flowers gone, except some gentians at the pass.

Beautiful views of the Fisher Basin and Mt Logan, and hardly any people.

Even after reading the warnings about this one I had to laugh at the name once I was up there. What a knee bender! An easy log walk across the bridgless stream can be had 1/8 of a mile downstream. Definitely easier than had been reported to me by guidebooks and other folks. The lower meadows have yet to bloom but the upper meadows are in their prime. For the best views scramble up the hill to your right from the pass. 100% snowfree to the pass and far beyond. No bugs! (yet)

It was early when we started, and quite cloudy and overcast. Hikers should know that there is no log bridge over the first stream crossing at the trail. Go up stream about 200 feet and there is a log that one can cross (more about that later...)The trail is in great shape. It started to rain and by the time we reached the top of the pass at about 6800 feet it was snowing. It is still beautiful. The trail is steep and rocky so be careful in the rain. On the way back, after helping my party over the bridge. I fell in the stream! Fortunately I had only a few hundred yards to go back to the trail head. This is a great hike!

The Granite Creek crossing off of the trailhead is impossible at the main trail. Go downstream 100 yards or so and you'll find a large log to cross. The trail is in reasonably good shape up to the snowline (roughly 4000ft'), where it disappears and you have to battle some brush and trees to get to the snowfields. The weather was rainy up until the snowline, when the clouds and sun battled it out--dramatic lighting, actually. No avalanches on the way up, but we did encounter one on the way down (from a safe distance, of course:^). Generally, the snow was soft enough that you didn't need snowshoes or crampons, but an ice axe is definitely necessary. Windy and cool at the top. Fisher Basin was absolutely beautiful. Having done this in June and August, I don't think I'll do this hike any other time of year other than June, as the snow makes it a straighter shot, and there were no bugs! Pictures posted at http://sigcon.com/keven/

After not making it to the top last July (1998) due to an attack on a member of my group by an overzealous horsefly, Easy Pass had become somewhat of a Holy Grail for me. I had to get back and finish the trail this summer and Sunday's blue skies provided the perfect setting.

The forested section of the trail is in very poor condition in a few spots due to mud and water. After that, all is ok. There are fewer mosquitos now that the night temperatures are dropping well below freezing, but bees, crickets and horseflies are still abundant.

It's not far to the top but it's worth the effort to continue up a ridge NE from the pass. Rocky slopes here are tough.

Views include the majestic Fisher Basin and surrounding peaks, Mt.Logan and snowy Eldorado Peak. Steep drops E from the ridge are good for some head-spinning vertigo, but watch your step!

There are other places in the Cascades that I prefer to Easy Pass but it was nice to finally make it back after it being on my mind for about 14 months. It's a good place show friends from out-of-state the contrast between the Western and Eastern Cascades.

I arrived to the trailhead on a gorgeous day and found only a few other cars there. Despite what some books say, there is no longer a bridge at the creek crossing about .25 miles along the trail. It is an easy wade across though--only about knee deep. The first two miles climbs gently in forest and the trail is in excellent condition. At the second creek crossing, the trail emerges from the trees and continues through some slightly overgrown brush for about .5 miles. Once out of the brush, you can see the pass up above. The switchbacks were in fine condition and there is only one brief patch of snow to cross. The last .25 miles is moderately steep and is in loose rock, but is easy to assend. No one else was at the pass, and the views were breathtaking. I didn't see any wildlife besides a few marmots. There was hardly any snow at the pass. Make sure to bring a lot of film!