Cutthroat Pass via the Pacific Crest Trail — Sunday, Sep. 4, 2005

North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20

Departed mid morning from Rainy Pass TH for Cutthroat Pass. Cloudy day made for cool hike to Pass. Parking lot had about a dozen cars in it and we saw numerous groups coming and going from Pass. Some day hikers but most groups passing through probably to Snow Lakes & Golden Horn. We staked out our 3 pack llamas and made camp near the Pass. No other campers near or even below Pass that we saw. Windy afternoon and evening, quite cool. Things finally settled down as sun set and we were treated to calm clear night. Early next morning started out calm and comfortable too but changed quickly as cloud ceiling dropped instantly on top of us and by the time we broke camp we were in the midst of a nice dropping of snow. This continued until we dropped about 2 miles down from the pass and turned to rain the rest of the way to trailhead. Despite change of weather, nice trip. No bugs to speak of and no water within 1 1/2 miles of pass. Pack it up with you or go without. Still some blueberries to be had.