Pilot Ridge, North Fork Sauk River, Blue Lake High & Round Lake — Saturday, Aug. 18, 2001

North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway

We started at sloan peek campground sunday august 12 at eve and went 2 miles to campsite at the river. nice spot. on the next day, 2 of us forded the river and the other 2 walked over the giant cedar logto the pilot ridge trail the next day the slog up pilot ridge to blue lake took 10 miles and 8+ hours with heavy packs. Between beautiful views of Monte Cristo peaks the way was often steep. Bring lots of water - it was hot. Blue lake campsite was beautiful and we were the only ones there august 13. Stars that night were gorgeous, and we saw the space shuttle. On the 14 we climbed out of blue lake to join the pacific coast trail at dishpan gap. This climb was quite steep and without hiking poles would almost have been impossible as the trail was loose dirt with no traction. The climb down the ridge to Dishpan was just as steep with loose dirt and 6 inch wide trail on the side of steep cliffs. We were surprised that Dishpan was empty, and dry. we then continued to Reflection pond. Unable to fill our water bottles before the pond because the flies drove us back. Reflection pond seemed to be the destination of many through hikers, yet we found a nice spot. The pond water was filterable and the views from the pond were nice. The next day August 15, we made it all the way to kennedy hot springs via beautiful Red pass and the desolate Glacier meadows. The trails before and after red pass need some work. On August 16 we hiked from Kennedy to first Lake Byrne and then camped at Camp Lake. These lakes were the highlights of our 5 day trip. We had camp lake all to ourselves except for the bald eagle perched at the side of the lake all afternoon and evening. these lakes were magnificent and worth the tortuous climb with full packs up from kennedy. On august 17 we left camp lake and walked Lost Creek Ridge all the way to our car. Lost creek had several blow downs, and again many parts of the trail were too narrow and loose packed. However, the unexpected views from lost creek ridge were stupendous. We were on top of the fog filled valley and the mountain tops above the clouds looked like islands in a sea of clouds. We hope the pictures do justice to the sight. Caution: I have to say these next words despite the macho image we backpackers often prefer to project. I presume that at one time the trails chiseled out of the nountain and cliff sides were flat, but now they are all angled with the slope, all too narrow. The downhill hiking pole is often planted in air, and for caution we all lean uphill and walk at the uphill edge of the trail. This further loosens the dirt and makes the trails even more treacherous. I can't imagine doing these trails without poles. If someone hasn't been killed already, it will happen in the next few years unless serious trail repair is done.