Another beautiful Cutthroat day! This time we staged the cars and did an up and over. We started from the west side and finished at the lake trailhead on the east side. I forgot how lovely the tread is coming from the west side! Snow is all gone on both sides, the bugs weren’t bad at all. No blowdowns or other obstacles and we didn’t see a moose this time :) Water on the west side is still plentiful with lots of regular spots almost all the way to the pass. The east side is a different story - basically dry apart from the two (scary low) water crossings just after the lake/trail junction. Something to keep in mind if you hike with dogs who need a cool off - don’t count on it from the east side! Keep those poochies cool! Happy trails!
Trip Report
Cutthroat Pass via Cutthroat Lake, Cutthroat Pass via the Pacific Crest Trail — Wednesday, Jul. 2, 2025
North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20
Comments
Chasingsunsets on Cutthroat Pass via Cutthroat Lake, Cutthroat Pass via the Pacific Crest Trail
Beautiful photos, I especially love that first one! And thanks for sharing the trail info. Do you happen to have an estimate of the mileage and elevation gain for this route? Thanks.
Posted by:
Chasingsunsets on Jul 04, 2025 09:10 PM
PNWdvm on Cutthroat Pass via Cutthroat Lake, Cutthroat Pass via the Pacific Crest Trail
Chasingsunsets - If you go from west to east as we did it’s about 11.5 miles and 2k gain. Have fun!
Posted by:
PNWdvm on Jul 05, 2025 06:45 AM
Flutehiker on Cutthroat Pass via Cutthroat Lake, Cutthroat Pass via the Pacific Crest Trail
I’m noticing how completely different your photos are from the other most recent trip report. That makes me wonder if the segment via the lake is more scenic or has more flowers in bloom? I’m unfamiliar with this area and interested in doing an out and back. Thanks for any advice!
Posted by:
Flutehiker on Jul 07, 2025 07:15 PM
PNWdvm on Cutthroat Pass via Cutthroat Lake, Cutthroat Pass via the Pacific Crest Trail
Hey flutehiker! So the first photo is of heather blooming coming up from the west side trailhead, that particular photo is about a quarter mile or less from the pass. There's a lot of heather blooming on the west side. The other photo of paintbrush is at the pass. Both ways to the pass are beautiful, you really can't go wrong! Happy hiking!
Posted by:
PNWdvm on Jul 08, 2025 08:40 AM