Rainbow-McAlester Loop — Sunday, Jul. 24, 2016

North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20

My party completed this loop in the opposite direction as described. I did this trek over 5 days, with rest days in between each section. Starting from Highway 20, we went to McAlester pass, then an extra .7 miles up to Hidden Meadows for two nights, a thoroughly worthwhile detour. Hiking off-trail to the peaks above Hidden Meadows was one of our trip's greatest highlights. Next, we trekked to Rainbow Meadows, which is about 1.5 miles south of Rainbow lake by the trail. Rainbow lake is a far superior campground, but not open to our stock animals. This was a short day by mileage but difficult because of the altitude gain and the heat. The trek from Rainbow Meadows to Highway 20 via Bowan Pass was by far the most challenging day. Bowan Pass is spectacular, with a trail built into a rock slope and abundant wildlife. Rainbow lake features campsites on the edge of a cliff for maximum views of the valley below. Above Rainbow lake is a dwindling snowfield. We diverted around its lower end, careful on the loose rocks. The back side of the pass has two snow fields that are more difficult to avoid. I used an ice axe, but others in the party felt comfortable with trekking poles alone. Below the meadow, the trail turned to brushy monotony with constant assault by black flies. The South Fork Bridge Creek trail is an unrewarding slog, its only redeeming feature is enabling the Bowan Pass section. Brush is heavy, constantly scratching the legs. Long pants recommended. Luckily, the sparse blowdown on the trail had all been cleared. Dan's camp seems to be a popular stop, but it is entirely without joy, simply a place to rest for a night. Crossing Bridge Creek was surprisingly tricky. We chose to ford and barely kept our footing. A narrow log is also available slightly downstream from the ford. The PCT between South Fork and Fireweed is similarly unrewarding. The North cascades are one of the most beautiful places in the world, yet you'd never know it from this stretch of trail. The remaining trail to Highway 20 is straightforward, requiring only a log crossing near the park boundary.