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Trip Report

Pot Peak — Sunday, Jun. 23, 2019

Central Cascades > Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan
View of Lake Chelan

The drive to the trailhead is paved until the last half mile at which point you begin driving on well graded gravel. All cars are able to reach the trailhead.

I began my hike up at 5:45am and the trail was nice and cool to begin with. The trail winds it's way uphill through wooded terrain. Most of the trees near the beginning are healthy, but the further you proceed up the mountain, you begin to encounter burnt trees from a previous forest fire. The trail is quite dusty, but is supported by cinder blocks on uphill switchbacks. 

At about 1.5 miles there is a small creek that is the only source of water along the trail. Consider filling up here. At about the two mile mark the trail opens up and becomes surrounded by more bushes than trees. This offers a few views of Lake Chelan at the price of much more exposure to the sun and heat. 

Around 4 miles you'll arrive at a large flat area that's wooded on all sides. Continuing on you'll be rewarded with great views of the hills and mountains to the north as you traverse the north side of pot peak for another mile. Once you complete the traverse you have an opportunity to scramble up to the second pot peak summit. I chose to skip the summit and continued on the trail.

At this point views of the hills to the south really open up (see the pictures). There is a great view point at mile 5.5. Beyond that point the trail begins to becomes brushy and there is a decent amount of twigs and branches on trail. Shortly past here you'll find yourself on a saddle with the trail flanked by very young trees that max out at about 12 feet. 

I made it out 7 miles before I turned back and ran back to the car.

View South
Wildflowers
View North
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