Downey Creek — Friday, Jun. 21, 2002

North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway

Getting there: Drive the Suiattle River road about 21 miles and just after crossing Downey Creek, turn into the TH parking lot. With a Ptarmigan traverse trip coming up, we decided to hike the Downey Cr. trail to see what the trail conditions and the crossing of Bachelor Creek were like. We found the Downey Cr. trail to be in pretty good shape compared with what it’s been in previous years. There are many logs down but only a half dozen or so pose any difficulty getting by. The problem logs are mainly between mile 1 and mile 2. The Salmon Berry is now grown and covers the trail in places (better hope its dry). There is no snow remaining and from the looks of things, Bachelor Creek should be snowfree at least a couple of miles. There is a small half-rotten log across Bachelor Creek, which will do (the creek was running and high requires a log). A few flies are out but not bad, but in a few weeks probably be more.