Matt and I drove out on Friday evening to camp at Long Swamp Campground (~5500 feet). Although temperatures for Loomis were over 80 Friday-Sunday, it was C-O-L-D at camp. The campground itself is in great shape and we had it all to ourselves--aside from a car or two driving by during the next two days no one else was at the campground.
We got up early and were on the Windy Peak trail by 6:15. We choose the Windy Peak trail over the Windy Creek trail because it was a bit more in the fire damaged area and also on the ridge--we figured there was less chance of hitting snow. The ranger at Tonasket had also indicated the trail was mostly clear. So we figured the extra four miles roundtrip (~10 miles on Windy Creek versus ~14 miles on Windy Peak) was a reasonable sacrifice.
Aside from one snow field that required a boulder scrambling detour (this is right before you hit the plataeu near the peak) the trail was in excellent conditions. Three or four small blowdowns that were easily skirted (and Matt fixed one of these as well).
We were at the summit (8,365' I think) by 10:15 a.m. Although there were some thunderheads/showers threatening us the whole way, they help off and we were able to have lunch on the peak and get our photos. We headed down and made it back to camp by 1:50 p.m. It did rain on us the last two miles (ugh), and for a couple hours at camp...but then the sun came out and kept us warm for the rest of the day.
Although the bugs weren't too much of a problem, there were a couple of spots on the trail where we were absolutely swarmed by mosquitos. And then they would just disappear. The campground also had some mosquitos...bring the DEET!
Overall, a great hike with a wonderful payoff. We didn't see a single other hiker the entire day, which is probably a result of the remoteness--5.5 hour drive to the trailhead from Seattle.
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