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Trip Report

East Bank Ross Lake — Wednesday, May. 14, 2025

North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
Erosion on west bank of Lightning Creek bridge by Nightmare

Ran East Bank Trail up to Nightmare Camp and back. Clear all the way to Rainbow Point where some (presumably) NPS workers were actively clearing and regrading the trail. Huge thanks to them and all trail workers and volunteers that make trails accessible.

I cleared a lot of small trees and branches from the trail, still about two dozen blowdowns that will need a handsaw and four that were over a foot in diameter that will need something larger. Nothing a backpacker couldn't get around, but probably impassable for stock. Small washout/slide area 2 miles east of Lightning Creek Camp that required some careful footing to get over. Bridge at Nightmare was still up thanks in part to the nylon ratchet strap holding it, but still closed and probably will remain as such for the foreseeable future.

Nightmare Camp is an intriguing name, guessing because there's almost no space large or flat enough to pitch a tent. As a hammock camper, I'm all for changing the name to Hammock Camp.

Largest blowdown was between Deerlick and Nightmare
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Comments

GwenT on East Bank Ross Lake

Baker Lake is outside of the NP. More than likely, it was a PNTA crew doing the clearing; they've been taking care of it these past few years or so.

Posted by:


GwenT on May 16, 2025 10:38 AM

GwenT on East Bank Ross Lake

Baker Lake is outside of the NP. More than likely, it was a PNTA crew doing the clearing; they've been taking care of it these past few years or so.

Posted by:


GwenT on May 16, 2025 10:38 AM

GwenT on East Bank Ross Lake

Baker Lake is outside of the NP. More than likely, it was a PNTA crew doing the clearing; they've been taking care of it these past few years or so.

Posted by:


GwenT on May 16, 2025 10:38 AM