Cathedral Rock-Peggy’s Pond-Deception Pass-Marmot Lake-Deception Pass Trail Loop
Overview: 3 day, 2 night loop hike starting at Cathedral Rock TH to PCT to Deception Pass, then Deception Pass trail back to TH. The first day, we took a side trip to camp overnight at Peggy’s Pond, and the second day, we took a side trip to Marmot Lake and camped the second night. So many huckleberries and blueberries, some thimbleberries and salmonberries.
Day 1 - Cathedral Rock TH to Peggy’s pond, 6 miles, pretty straightforward hiking and nothing too different from the WTA description on Peggy’s Pond. The part about “sheer drop offs, loose rock, and user-built-no-switchback stretches” are fairly accurate, but I found the going pretty doable. The “old trail” going by Peggy’s lower pond was way easier than the user-built-no-switchback stretches directly from the rocky part through the last bit of woods. When we got to Peggy’s Pond, we were the only party there camping overnight, which seemed a ridiculous luxury. The water was so delightfully clear and cool (probably 62 degrees F?) - refreshing after a mostly uphill hike. Weather overnight was very windy with electical activity on the upper peaks, but little rain and no thunder. Bugs were not present.
Day 2 – Peggy's Pond to Deception Pass to Marmot Lake, 11.5 miles. Again, delightful day, warm. Once we got to the PCT and turned in the direction of Canada, we ran into lots of section hikers. The 5 miles from the PCT junction to Deception Pass were shaded. The two river/stream crossings were fine. The first crossing was entirely dry, the second one was easy to cross. The hiking to Marmot Lake was gorgeous and wasn’t too different from the WTA description, except the mileage seems quite off. They say that it’s 3 miles from Deception Pass to the Marmot/Clarice Lakes fork, but it must be over 4. Add the 0.7 from the fork, and you have 5+ miles from Deception Pass. Marmot Lake was clear and dramatic against the steep ridges. There were no evidence of any other campers at the lake. A few mosquitos were out but disappeared at nightfall. I went for a swim in the dark under the stars – once in a lifetime experience.
Day 3 – Marmot Lake to Deception Pass to Deception Trail TH, 10 miles. Hot day, hiking was straightforward and as expected from the WTA description of Marmot Lake. Lots of hikers coming up as we descended, they seemed to be mostly headed to Tuck and Robin. We left Marmot at 9:20 and got to the TH at 3:30 pm. Lots of beautiful campsites along Hyas Lake. The one and only privy we encountered on our trip was near a campsite about 3 miles up from the TH.
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