This is a bit of a variation of the trail in the title. I headed out from Berry patch on 9/8, and made my way to Heart Lake. I had anecdotal reports that a high clearance vehicle was recommended to make it to Lilly Basin trailhead. Night one was spent at Heart Lake, and I was pleased to have the place all to myself. I should have heeded caution setting up camp- one person I met at the Berry Patch trailhead said they snapped a tent pole at Johnson Creek Basin the night previous from high winds.
I didn't fare much better myself, and ended up repositioning and tying down my tent at 2 in the morning when I was awaken by the tent pushing in on my face, the fly catching the wind like a sail.
The following morning I headed back up Lilly Basin trail to connect with Snowgrass. Took a bit of a spill crossing some talus where Lilly Basin approaches the ridge, beware eroded trail here. Headed onward to the PCT to Cispus Basin. I got in late to Cispus Basin and took in a spectacular sunset. The most obvious sites were occupied, but I was able to follow a dry creekbed up the hill to some other established sites under the Goat Rocks mastiff, and a perfect distance from water.
Day 3, headed up to Old Snowy for an out and back. Water is scarce and the land exposed heading up the PCT. Luckily there was a big tarn full of snowmelt just below Snowy that provided a resupply on the way back down. Views were spectacular despite the encroaching smoke.
Day 4, back to Berry Patch via Snowgrass. Lots of people coming up for the weekend apparently. Smoke got significantly worse as I dropped down in elevation. Everyone was very courteous and made way when possible, and almost all masked up.
I met a couple lovely ladies on the trail over multiple days, and promised to post a trip report with some pictures. My blog isn't quite ready to roll, and I'm having a heck of a time figuring out how to insert pictures here, but I've put everything up on Flickr. I firmly believe a picture is worth a thousand words. Goat Rocks is absolutely breathtaking. https://www.flickr.com/gp/188713878@N06/19s83P
Comments