Cathedral Rock, Deception Pass — Sunday, Jul. 12, 2020

We made a loop beginning from Cathedral Pass trail, picking up the PCT heading north, and then at Deception Pass returning along the Deception Pass trail along Lake Hyas back to the trailhead. Arrived at the TH 9am Sunday, lots of cars but folks were beginning to leave after wrapping up overnights. We did not see many folks on the trail, though - a handful of parties making their way out, and one masked Forest Ranger making the rounds. 

This was a beautiful loop. We covered around 14.5 miles and 3300 vertical feet. The weather went from cool and light rain to pleasant sun breaks at 65 degrees. There was intermittent snow along the PCT section, but nothing technical and it was very easy to cross. Colorful wildflowers were around in the lower meadows just starting to come in along the higher areas. There are numerous stream crossings, but only one which was worth really pausing to seek out the best place to ford. For others doing this hike, there’s a cairn where some folks are crossing just where the trail hits the stream, but it requires a deeper crossing in faster moving water. I suggest looking downstream a couple hundred feet from where the trail arrives at the stream—there is a shallow pool with an island in the middle above a slide. You can cross there and you won’t have water above your knees. 

A beautiful hike overall. Not too difficult, but a nice way to spend a day. The bugs were out but not a problem since we were moving for the most part.