Mazama Park via Ridley Creek — Tuesday, Jun. 8, 2010

North Cascades > Mount Baker Area

Arrived 11:00 to locked gate. One other car parked there on this Tuesday. Rode/pushed mtn bike 3 miles to TH. (I investigated Elbow Lake trail at about 1.5 miles beyond gate...it looked like a tough river crossing). The Nooksack river crossing was at about 200 yards from TH. Not too tough, threw some boulders in to access six inch log to cross. Trail continues directly across river wash. If you can't find trail then head downstream and within 30 to 40 yards you will see a dilapidated shelter leaning against a 30 foot tall boulder. The trail heads east from there. Four quick switchbacks then trail stays level for about a mile. Not overgrown, not too muddy, but lots of large blowdowns and for about a quarter mile the trail follows a two to three foot deep creek drainage with lots of exposed roots and six inch ankle twisting rocks. Wear decent support on your feet!!. Eventually you run into some grueling switchbacks. After the 14th switch you are meandering east and you begin to see what I think is Park Butte to the south. After a half mile I hit snow and although someone flagged the trail I was just too exhausted to go any further. (out of shape -- first hike of the year!!) So I stumbled down (go slow through that creek drainage!!), the Nooksack River was thankfully not much higher at 3:30. Easy crossing. I was so glad to coast all the way down to gate with only a 100 yards of pedaling..!! 3:45 arrived at gate. Same single car there. Nice first hike of the year for me. NO BUGS!!