Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Section J - Snoqualmie Pass to Stevens Pass, Surprise and Glacier Lakes & Deception Pass — Sunday, Aug. 6, 2006

Snoqualmie Region > Snoqualmie Pass

This is a multiday post covering a 7 day trip from Stevens Pass to Dutch Miller Gap Day 3 Tuesday Aug 1st 2006, Trap Lake to “Deception Creek Camp” Another day full of ups and downs. Out of Trap Lake the PCT climbs steeply over an unnamed pass (Trap Lake Pass?) and drops down to a trail junction between Surprise and Glacier Lakes. Spectacular views, tons of wildflowers. CAUTION: There is an abandoned (unsigned) climbers trail that branches off in the valley below Piper Pass, past Glacier Lake. One of our leaders was seduced by the “potential” shortcut over Surprise Gap down to Deception Lake. We violated the first two rules of backcountry travel, never hike alone and don’t separate your group, all worked out in the end, albeit with some significant abrasions. A sign here might have helped. NOTE: The TOPO CD electronic maps show the PCT following this hikers trail, the Green Trail Map show the trail going over Piper Pass. The short cut works (although not recommended). Our wayward hiker went off route by going to far west. Before eventually working his way east and dropping elevation to reach the trail, he managed to fall, climb and scramble his way back and up over Surprise Gap. Lesson learned, bullet dodged, one of nine lives used. Passed a trail crew working the PCT North of Deception Lake. Deception Lake had more bugs then any place I have ever hiked in my life, breathing was difficult. The boys had a short lived contest to see how many they could swat with one hand, I believe the record was 8 at once. The bugs were so thick we couldn’t get out of here fast enough. The PCT has a number of blow downs on it from Deception Lake to Deception Pass. With a crew working the area I assume these will get cleared up quickly. There have also been trail reports of difficult stream crossings on either side of Deception Pass, as of this date all are crossable easily, hiking poles strongly recommended. Deception Creek Camp There are few places to camp between Deception Lake and Deep Lake (TR 1396.1). There is one good campsite, just a few hundred feet north of where stream coming out of Taus Creek crosses the PCT. The campsite is below the trail. This is approximately 2 miles south of Deception Lake and 1 mile North of Deception Pass. Few bugs, not real scenic but a good break point between Trap and Deep Lakes.