Mazama Park via Ridley Creek, Bell Pass, Park Butte & Elbow Lake — Monday, Sep. 17, 2012

North Cascades > Mount Baker Area

We started at the Ridley Creek trailhead despite warnings that the trail is unmaintained. The road to the trailhead is not too bad and the trailhead is clearly marked. No other cars in parking lot (on a Monday at noon). After a short distance, cross the river on two logs - one is at torso height so you can hold on as you cross. After this point, find the trail and go left, immediately into switchbacks and some climbing. The trail is a little brushy, and there are some blowdowns, but really not too difficult to navigate safely. For an unmaintained trail, it was in rather good shape. There is not much water on this trail until nearing Mazama park in the last of several large creekbeds. This may not last long, so be sure to carry enough water to get you to the tarns by Park Butte or past the horse camp where you may find water. Climbing up to Park Butte, we spotted our first two legged critters of the day. They said no one was in the lookout so we continued up after stopping at the tarns to fill our water again. Sure enough the lookout was empty but we were joined no more than 20 minutes later by a solo hiker, and again after nightfall by another solo hiker. It was rather warm so we slept on the walkway around the lookout and enjoyed the stars and the sunrise. Hiking on to Elbow lake on day 2 was easy enough. Only saw 2 hikers this day as well, and had all of Elbow lake to ourselves. Hiking out on day 3 was also easy, and more water available this side. Near the trailhead, there is another river crossing on 2 logs, which were partially wet and smooth. Proceeding slowly across, we had no trouble. Shortly after the crossing, we reached FR 38, dropped our packs, and walked the 1.3 miles to the car at the Ridley creek trailhead. A few berries here and there, a few flowers, nice views everywhere. Incredibly, we found there to be no mosquitos anywhere on this hike! There were a few flies, but not the biting kind.