Ran up to Deception Pass and back this afternoon. Had dreams of Jade Lake but started too late and ran too slow. The afore-mentioned blowdowns around Mile 3.5 are definitely still there. Would take a massive effort to clean all that up. There is a discernible path through the maze if you know what to look for - just follow the dirt track over/under the logs and you'll make it to the other side. After that mess, the trail is clear all the way to the pass. Stopped a little way down the Marmot Lake trail for half a sandwich and half an existential crisis. Just a reminder that if you think you can, or if you think you can't, either way you're right.
Saw a few groups of thru-hikers headed for US 2, and some that looked like day hikers but there was only one other truck at Deception Creek Trailhead - maybe parked on the other side of the highway at Deception Falls? Smoke is ever-present (and likely worsening), but not too bothersome as you're in the trees the whole time up to the pass. AQI was around 100, temperatures in the mid-to-upper 70s. Plenty of water available along the way.
Garmin stats:
22.37 miles
4,700 feet of vert (Strava tax gave me 4,698!)
6 hours
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