Round Lake — Saturday, Aug. 23, 2014

North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway

Continuing to check off trips I'd previously failed, this week I returned to Lost Creek Ridge aiming for Lake Byrne. I left the trailhead at 8:30, surprised to see 8 other cars already there! A more pleasant surprise - no bugs! I made short work of the climb up to the Round Lake junction. The trail is in good shape with only one gigantic blowdown. Someone has helpfully chopped a tunnel beneath the tree, which seems much too large for a normal chainsaw to handle. Great views out to Sloan and Glacier as I walked along the ridge. Well, ridge might be a misnomer for this trail. It stays high but dives in and out of every conceivable nook and cranny in search of elevation gain. I recorded an additional 2000 ft of gain from the Round Lake junction out to Byrne! The trail itself is also quite rough but easy to follow. At my lunch stop a curious pika was my company. I saw only a few hikers heading down as I passed near Camp Lake. Pretty little place, but Byrne was on my mind. I reached it at 3:15 just as the only two lake campers were packing out. I sat around and soaked my feet a bit, before going for a very quick (and cold) swim. Camping options at Byrne are a bit limited. I opted for the well used site near the outlet since it offered some protection. There was no real wind but some darker clouds were forming behind Glacier. And best of all - still no bugs to speak of! Just a few lazy mosquitoes. No need for spray or headnet. The clouds all disappeared at sunset, denying me a fantastic sunset but revealing a great star show. I saw several meteors before finally turning in late. Overnight it was chilly but calm. Morning brought clear skies and low clouds behind Glacier. Reflections on the lake were great! I ate a lazy breakfast and finally departed at 8am. The climb back out included all the gain of the hike in - nearly 1800 ft of gain back to the Round Lake junction. I stopped here for an extended lunch and berry picking before distant rumbling thunder chased me down. I again passed very few hikers - just a backpacking couple, solo girl, and two dayhikers with unfriendly dogs. Back to the car at 2:15 with time for a beer at tiny Riverside Brewing in Darrington.

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