It was nice to get back to the North Cascades today. I was looking for a relatively easy hike today, thought Ruby Creek would fit the bill. it did! I really enjoyed this one. The trail follows the creek for most of the hike, with several access point to the creek along the way. Access to them was no issue.
Trail is in good condition, with a solid trail to walk on, mostly rootless, rockless, and even. I indicated the trail as having a few obstacles, manly because there are parts (maybe 30%) that are overgrown with brush that has crept out onto the trail, some of it is 5/6 feet tall. There were times when I wish I had my pruning clippers. It wasn't difficult to get through these areas, but one had to be somewhat careful. There was also three tree falls, all of which were easy enough to get over.
I hiked from the East Bank Trailhead down to the Canyon Creek Campground, a distance of about 4 miles each way. It has been reported in a few trail books that this hike is toddler and kid friendly. I'm not too sure I'd give it a thumbs up for toddlers, as there are narrow "ledges" that I think most toddlers would not find easy. Kids yes, toddlers no. My elevation gain, cumulative, was about 1110 feet, and not the 200 feet reported in one of my trail books. This is due mainly to the ups and down of the trail as it circumvents the creek, boulders and high ground.
This would be a fabulous fall hike. Already some of the vine maples were turning color, and this trail has lots of them. It ought to be gorgeous in the fall.
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