Cutthroat Pass via the Pacific Crest Trail, Cutthroat Pass via Cutthroat Lake — Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022

     Hiking Cutthroat Pass today was spectacular. We pulled into the Th lot at Rainy Pass just after 8:30 and it was half full. The Forest Service Vault toilet was open with supplies. It was clear blue skies and in the upper 40’s.  After 2 miles, going steadily uphill on the PCT, we started to shed our outer clothing layers and by 10:30 we’re down to short sleeves. The sun started coming through the canopy and was out across the valley on the south facing hillside. We walked back into the shade as the trail switchbacked to the south. It felt cooler but the yellowing larches, red blueberry foliage mixed in with granite boulders took your mind off everything but amazing scenery. Compared with our hike on the Heather / Maple Pass Loop yesterday this hike felt like we had it mostly to ourselves. We walked up to Cutthroat Pass junction and a few groups of hikers were scattered around in a 1/2 mile area taking a break and enjoying the amazing 360 degree views. The entire trail was dry and dusty and the few stream crossings were just a trickle.

  At 12:50 we packed up and headed down on the trail to Cutthroat Lake. The scenery on this side of the pass was equally as beautiful as our ascent on the PCT. Trail traffic on this route was significantly less, we passed only 2 groups (one of 2 Mtn bikers) in the 6.5 miles down to the Th. Cutthroat Lake level seemed low and very quiet, no fish or bird sightings. We reached the TH at 3:30 and only 6 cars were parked here. We headed down the road toward Hwy 20 since our friends hadn’t arrived to pick us up yet. So we completed a 12 mile through hike in beautiful country.   Another fantastic day to be out in nature with friends.