The original plan for this week was a North Cascades trip, but my friend and I ended up forfeiting my permitted spots there for the PCT South of Mt. Rainier due to the fires and smoke up North. Glad I did. This is a really beautiful hike on well maintained trails.
The first leg of the hike (first 15 miles or so) before you climb into some of the higher and dryer elevations is REALLY buggy. Clever folks who knew what to expect (unlike myself) had bug net hats or sleeves, since the minute you stop walking you are swarmed. We have Premerin treated clothes which do help, but doesn't stop the bugs for going at any exposed skin.
Once you climb into the higher elevations the bugs aren't as bad. We camped at Crag lake the 2nd night, which was beautiful with nice campsites, and Dewey lake the 3rd night. The longest stretch without a water source was maybe 5 or 6 miles between Crag Lake, and a stream near a turnoff to American Lake.
We did see some bear scat and signs of bear activity; there are just a ton of meadows and small lakes that they probably love. We did not actually see or hear any bears, or much wildlife at all, really other than the occasional chipmunk or squirrel. Oh yes, and a million mosquitos.
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