Golden Horn - Snowy Lakes, Cutthroat Pass via the Pacific Crest Trail — Tuesday, Sep. 11, 2001

North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20

Wow, finally got to this place I have been meaning to for years: Snowy Lakes and Golden Horn. Many things stood in our way, including a stove that went up in a fiery ball, and a failed water filter, but we prevailed through adversity. Great weather certainly helped. We planned this as a three day backpack, first to give time to organize in the morning, and a leisurely drive. The first night, we camped at Porcupine Basin camps, about a mile below Cutthroat Pass. Lovely camps, but not much water in this year of the drought. Beyond, the views opened up far and wide as the PCT snakes around rocky hillsides towards Granite Pass where we coincidentally ran into two hiking friends. Beyond, a gentle yet dry traverse took us to the ""junction"" with the trail to Snowy Lakes - a little steep and rocky in places, but very do-able. Once up there, we chose a secluded campsite and proceeded to take in one of the most incredible views I have ever seen: peaks everywhere, near and far, too many to name. Coming out on the third day, we encountered some through hikers on the PCT, pulling long miles with seemingly small packs. A goal for the future!! Overall, trail is in great shape, bugs gone, but so mostly are the huckleberries...