Squire Creek Pass via Eight-mile Trail — Tuesday, Jun. 14, 2011

North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway

The Park Service website said the road to the Eight-mile Creek trailhead was open and that the trail was open, wet, and muddy. What they did not say is that there is deep snow at 3,200'. I was able to get within one half mile of Squire Creek Pass, but a snow bridge over the creek was too risky to attempt. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the cascading waterfalls along the granite slabs on the mountain. They are unique and beautiful this time of year. The road has been cleared recently of avalanches. It's a six-mile drive on rough, wet, muddy mountain road. However, be sure to look up the mountain whenever you cross water because there are a couple of lovely waterfalls right beside the road. The trail is wet, muddy, steep, rooty, rocky, and a great workout. There were no other hikers today.