Chelan Summit — Sunday, Jul. 14, 2002

North Cascades > Methow/Sawtooth

Eagle Lakes, Chelan summit July 8-12. Isn't the Chelan summit trail supposed to be in the North Cascades region? We hiked from the Crater Creek trailhead to Stehekin. It took 1 and 1/2 hours to drive to the trailhead from Chelan. Hiking was great up to Eagle lakes but the wind kicked up hard and cold that one night but it calmed down about 10pm. One other group was camped with us at the lake. The next morning we saw a group on horseback heading to lower eagle lake but we saw no one else on the trail until after Purple pass, three days later. Great views along most of the trail and when there were no views, it was nice to be in the shade trees. Snow not a serious problem and I don't know how to use an iceaxe or whatever that thing is. The most snow was present near the wilderness-recreation area boundary with about 10 foot drifts but they were all on top- we just kept to the south of them and had no problem finding the trail after it seemed to disappear. Upper prince creek is untouched by fire but the drainage of fish creek just north of the pass below star peak has a lot of burned areas that the trail passes. In some places the trail is in good condition but in most of the burn the trail is gone and there are several charred trees to step over or stoop under. We could not find the junction with the fish creek trail after the turnoff to star lake because of the burn. Routefinding was no problem though- just keep contouring around the slope and eventrually you find the trail past the burned areas. Although it was a little hearbreaking to see ashes and cinders, the naturalist at Stehekin said nature does heal herself and we believe her. The wildflowers are trying mightily to make up for the burned landscape. It was interesting that the south slope of fish creek appeared virtually untouched by the fire so its not like the whole place is brown and black. We were extremely pleased that the camp at horseshoe basin was intact and beautiful- one of the best camps I have ever seen. No problem with burned areas after this camp. There is also decent camping in the basin northeast of Chipmunk pass, where we also stayed. The stream coming down from the moutains a mile or so before horseshoe basin was a wonder- great water, but no snow above. We got to watch a bear who was less than 100 yards away from us at deephole spring- got a great picture of her standing on her hind legs- you gotta love those Cascade bears! The trail in the basin that leads to Lake Juanita was great with beautiful views south to the Entiat mountains that are wonderful in the late afternoon. We climbed star peak, but it was a little much for one day- I would suggest taking an extra day just to do that so you can be on top before noon. Walking through some of the talus slopes along the trail in the late afternoon was like walking through an oven, although it was pleasant in the meadows. I was actually more impressed with the view from Boulder Butte near Lake Juanita than with the view from star peak, but that is probably because the sun was in our eyes (about 5pm) at star peak rather than behind us like it was at boulder butte (about 10:30 am). Stehekin hasn't changed much in the last 23 years.