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Trip Report

Heliotrope Ridge — Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025

North Cascades > Mount Baker Area

road: "mostly paved" is a bit misleading. while it is mostly paved, the pavement has crumbled in many areas leaving a few deep potholes and wide severe edges. the TH is not "huge" either. not sure when the description was listed but the lot holds about 20 cars and the road is wide enough for a short bit (like 0.1mi before for 1 sided parking. 2 areas where the road is literally crumbling (danger signs mark the more prominent area). road is very narrow (and exposed) on some areas. lots of little pull outs to dip into to let another car through.

trail: in excellent condition. last water crossing requires most to get your feet wet. we carried sandals and were glad. we watched 2 ppl fall, and several others get partway over the rocks then stand there stuck, not knowing how to continue without falling/ getting wet. we crossed around 10:30am and the exposed rocks were ice coated- so be prepared. water was definitely higher on our way back.

Weasel! (Very blurry - they move so fast!)
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