Cathedral Rock, Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Section J - Snoqualmie Pass to Stevens Pass, Deception Pass & Hyas Lake — Sunday, Aug. 1, 2010

Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway

This was my first hike for Hike-a-Thon 2010. I was looking for a lot of miles without a lot of elevation and this 14.7-mile clockwise loop fit the bill. On the way up to Cathedral Rock, we passed a few parties coming out after an overnight at Squaw Lake. We only saw one other group on the entire 5+ mile PCT section - it was pleasantly solitary. Cathedral Rock was in and out of the clouds but we had great views up to Mt Daniel, to the ridge across the valley, south to Mt Stuart, and down to Hyas Lake. Some heather and other wildflowers blooming, but no big riotous show here. The creeks were roaring and one of them on the PCT required a (chilly!) ford at about 2.5 miles from Cathedral Pass (mid-calf to knee deep, depending on how you crossed). Someone before us had set up a few logs (pictured below) for the first section of the ford, which were easy to use but I don't know whether they will continue to be stable. The section of trail about a mile to either side of this creek was pretty brushy - not enough to make it unpleasant but it certainly slowed us down a bit. The bugs were out in force. Not too bad when we were moving but full coverage or repellent was needed when stopped.