Cathedral Rock — Friday, Aug. 2, 2024

18th annual summer backpack trip with friends. Three of us hiked to Cathedral Rock and Pass, camped at Peggy's Pond, and did a day hike to the inter-glacial moraine area of Mt Daniel. Aug 2-4.  Very hot days!  Baking on the first day, cloudy morning and slightly cooler day on Sat, and hot day on Sunday. Bugs were level 4/5 except when we hiked up to the base of Mt Daniel.  Started at 10:30 am on Friday, up through the switchbacks of the forest, rested at Nosh Nosh Wahtum lake, then along the ridge to Cathedral Pass and the junction with the PCT. Then the very exposed and full attention .7 boot path on the mountainside and into the Peggy's Pond basin. Arrived at Peggy's--only one other party there.  Made camp right by where the trail meets the lake, not realizing it would become a major thoroughfare for people heading back and forth to Mount Daniel.  Much busier camp than I was expecting. Had no idea this many people climb Mount Daniel! Beautiful lake beneath the massive Cathedral Rock. Had a great swim in the lake, a wonderful evening, and lots of stars. Headed up to the rock and glacier base of Daniel the next day and spent most of the day getting up to and exploring and resting in that bug-free area. Took a quick dip in one of the icy pools.  Very stunning landscape. Another great evening in camp, talking with quite a few people as they walked through our camp. Got up early the last morning to try to beat some of the heat. Took the "upper way" (instead of "lower") down to the boot trail which made the going a bit easier to start, but still requires much focus on handholds and footwork. A hot trek out, stopped again at Nosh Nosh, and arrived back at car at 12:00 pm. Diners: Red Bird Cafe in Roslyn, Cottage Cafe in Cle Elum; Miles: 13; Wildlife: Marmots, Columbia Ground Squirrels, Chipmunks.