Cutthroat Pass via Cutthroat Lake, Cutthroat Pass via the Pacific Crest Trail — Saturday, Sep. 11, 1999

North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20

Arrived at the trail Friday around 3:30pm. 7 cars in the lot but some belonged to day hikers on their way down by that time. Made it to the pass by 6pm (5 miles, 2000' gain). Trail was in fine condition but the very first stream crossing is a challenge - I slipped on wet rocks both coming in and going out the next day. The view from the pass is great, particularly at sunrise and sunset. However I should warn you - the temperature dropped into the 20's by 10pm and the wind is relentless. It's best to camp in the designated area far below the pass, unless you bring winter gear. I awoke Saturday (actually I was too cold to sleep so I just sort of warmed up and arose) at 7am and stepped out of my tent onto ice! The moisture in the trail had frozen. Crunching my way towards Granite Pass I looked back to see an array of glistening, icy footprints. I had intended to climb the Golden Horn but missed the way trail - it's across from a horse camp between Granite and Methow Passes. I realized my mistake at Methow Pass and decided to climb Mt.Hardy instead. This is an intimidating summit to look at but the hardest part is actually the inevitable slog up loose rock that frustrates many Cascade climbers. To reach the top head around to the west face as you climb - the summit requires a lot of nerve (looooooong drops off the other faces) but not ropes. Highlights from the top include Glacier Peak, Eldorado Peak, Mt.Baker and the awesome Challenger Glacier. I was hoping to finally see the Picketts but as usual they were just out of view. I started down at 2pm, arrived back at Cutthroat Pass at 6:30pm and the parking lot by 8:30pm (in darkness). I have to mention that the views on the way to the pass are much better from trail #483 along Cutthroat Creek than from #2000.