Easy Pass — Wednesday, Jul. 15, 2009

North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20

The supposedly tricky crossing of Granite Creek near the trail start is, in fact, easy. There's a fancy heavy-duty log bridge (with railings, and recently remade puncheon. The trail rises moderately from that crossing. It's in great shape with only a few minor blow-downs until meeting the first of several snow fields below 5000' elevation. These are reasonably flat - easily and safely negotiated without ice ax. There's a larger snowfield at ~5000', with a huge tangle of trees presumably downed in an avalanche. Fortunately it's easy enough to get around this on the remaining snowfield. Bear west at this point to rejoin the trail above the tangle. The trail continues on the north side of the valley, ascending somewhat steeper scree slopes to the pass. Once at the pass you can gape at the views and the flowers. It is gorgeous! We had the trail entirely to ourselves this mid-week day - perhaps because of the snowfields? The grouse that accosted us, trying to lure us away from its young surely wouldn't put on such a show for trails with regular hiker parades. Flowers are not quite at their peak.