Chelan Summit — Sunday, Aug. 14, 2005

North Cascades > Methow/Sawtooth

We decided to do a 5 night trip in this multi-use area that is renowned for it's beauty. We started out Monday Aug 15 in good weather around 8:40am from the trailhead which goes to several different destinations. It starts on the Crater creek trail and in .5 miles the right fork goes to Crater lake.(This is the last good water, there are a few very small seepages, almost gone on the way to upper Eagle lake.) At two miles the right fork goes to upper and lower Eagle lakes and beyond to horsehead Pass and boiling lake. The left fork to Martin and Cooney lakes. We were headed to Upper Eagle lake for 2 nights. We decided to do the Golden Lakes loop in two separate trips, so we could really enjoy some quality time at each place. The trail is an easy to moderate grade and quite dusty. At about 3 and a half to four miles the trail opens up to some good views of lower ridges and valley below. The few switchbacks are long. We saw a few other hikers that day but no horses and only one dirtbike, which was the forest ranger. The mileage differs between the signs and the Green trail map. To my best estimate we reached upper Eagle side trail at 7 miles. The side trail is 1/2 to 1 mile. The lake is at 7110 ft.and very pristine with pleasant camps. The lake sets in a steep cirque. The giant ridge of rock is awesome. The lake is surrounded by lots of Larch trees. We heard several avalanches in the two nights we were there. We aren't fisherman but it was repoted to be excellent fishing. On Wednesday we started out for Boiling Lake after some overnight rain. It appeared to be clearing some. We headed up to Horsehead pass with great views. The grade steepens and is rocky before reaching the 7590 foot saddle. We encountered two horseman with a mule train on the way up. It began to rain just before the saddle and continued as we descended 1 mile to Boiling lake. There were large trees periodically on the trail where we found shelter and were able to put on rain gear. We found a nice camp with a picnic table that was surrounded by huge Spruce trees which provided shelter from the rain. Thursday morning we awoke to beautiful weather. We decided to head down to the Chelan Summit trail and over to Chipmunk Pass. In the first 1/2 mile we came to a junction. There are a couple of nice camps at the junction. Left goes down the Summit trail over to Angels staircase and to the loop to Cooney and Martin lakes. Straight goes to Cub lake and right went up the summit trail and over Chipmunk Pass. They call this junction, four corners. The trail to Chipmunk Pass is an easy to moderate grade with only one or two steep places. It proceeds along a side hill with splendid views of the Sawtooths and down to Cub Lake. We returned to boiling lake for the night and climbed back up Horsehead Pass on Friday. Awesome views going up the Pass. We decided to spend our last night at lower Eagle lake. There is a side trail on the right down a ways from Horsehead Pass that proceeds 1 mile to the lake. It is a pleasant lake with a nice camp toward the far end past horse camps and along a short accessible shore. From this camp there is a non maintained hiker trail out to the main trail # 431. One big blow down and the trail gets a little confusing before connecting with the main trail. It was a God send to hear a dirt bike on the main trail above to get perspective. We encountered several dirtbikes on Saturday on the way out but all of them were very courteous. Great trip! Only a few bugs, both biting flies and mosquitoes, but nothing to dampen the spirit. Very worth the trip.