Cutthroat Pass via the Pacific Crest Trail — Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024

Larches are just about past prime, specifically in the lower elevations. Once you crest the pass it gets a lot better.

Saturday was the only day I had available to see any larches before I leave town and the season comes to a close. I chose Cutthroat for its gentle grade but longer mileage. Plus, have never seen it in larch prime time.

I regret this. I wish I had gone to Carne Mountain or even Lake Ingalls. I woke up at 2am, arrived promptly at 6:15am and still had to park down the road 1/2 mile from the trailhead. The crowds weren’t so bad at first. About 10 people in line for the bathroom, but once on trail the groups dispersed a bit. Trail is in great condition as always. Beautiful views, can’t beat the I’m North Cascades in fall. The larches were shaded in ythe early morning and also starting to pale, so weren’t terribly impressive until a half mile or so before the pass. Made good time to the pass stopping a lot for photos. Went about a mile or so beyond to get some solitude. It was busy up there but not insane…yet. By the time I finished lunch there was a cacophony of voices and dog barks as dozens of people wandered around the top. The hike down was a non stop train of people. Large groups and soooooo many dogs. PLEASE, LEASH YOUR DOG and for the love of god just carry the poop with you and don’t leave steaming bags of dog crap lining the trail :)

When I returned to the highway I was shocked at the parking insanity. I saw a couple parking jobs that were comically stupid. Some real douche bags out there. I was stalked back to my car by an SUV hoping to take my spot as soon as I left. Good luck to them. It was a tight squeeze in my compact car. The line of cars extended for MILES down the highway on both sides. Hundreds of cars.

If you don’t like crowds, dogs, noise…or if you’re a mountain snob like me maybe don’t choose Cutthroat or Maple Pass or Blue Lake on the last sunny Saturday of March season. Never again.