Easy Pass, Fisher Creek — Thursday, Sep. 21, 2023

This was an overnight hike over Easy Pass from Highway 20 down to Fisher Camp and back out.

The trail is in generally good condition, but I was glad I brought along my hiking poles to deal with some of the sections.  On the decent to Fisher Camp there are areas where you do not want to step off the trail as it a ways down.

The last water before Easy Pass, late season, is where you rock hop across Granite Creek. I assume that crossing could require wading earlier in the season.

The blueberries and mountain ashes had put on their fall colors, but the larches had yet to change.  The first snow of the season had fallen the night before which I feel will trigger the larches to drop their sap and start to change.

Arrived at the parking lot at 11 AM on a Thursday morning and found three vacant spots, plus however many cars can park along the shoulder leading in. Had the pass to myself both going up in the afternoon and coming back down the following morning.

Not as spectacular as Maple Pass or Cascade Pass, but much less crowded.

Took me about 2 hours up to Easy Pass with a full pack. One hour up from Fisher Camp.

Note that Gaia has mismarked (how surprising!) the location of Fisher Camp. Fisher Camp is another 1/4 mile further down the trail and is marked with a sign by the trail.

Fisher Camp is not a destination campground, but is the closest campground to Easy Pass. My campsite did however have a very curious ermine that was fascinated by my tent, sniffing at in the evening, and was using it as a trampoline at dawn.

The 1 1/4 mile / 1500 foot elevation difference has a better tread and an easier gradient than the trail up from Highway 20. Also, you have Fisher Peak staring at you the whole time. In my estimation, the views are much nicer on the Fisher Creek side of the pass.