Paddy-Go-Easy Pass — Tuesday, Jun. 11, 2019

Hiked up on a very clear and toasty day.  The road to the trail is long and a bit rough as previously noted.  The Scatter Creek crossing was a bit interesting.  Glad I have a Crosstrek.  Temps were already in the 70s at I hit the trail, around 10:45am.  The trail is a bit brushy and there are several minor obstacles (trees, branches and tree bits) to dodge or climb over), all in the first mile of the hike.  At about 5600' I ran into snow and it was intermittent for a couple hundred vertical feet and then mostly solid after that.  I brought microspikes, but didn't wear them until at the top of the pass.  The Cradle, across the valley looks like Mt Stuart junior. I traversed the snow to see Sprite Lake, which is still frozen over.  Great views of Mt Daniel and company, Mt Rainier and a peek-a-boo glimpse of Glacier Peak.  I only met one other couple as I returned down the trail, along with a bear that ran across the trail below me at around 5000'.  I also saw a bear at Tucquada Lake on the drive in.  84 degrees and thirsty when I got back to the car.