Cutthroat Pass via the Pacific Crest Trail — Thursday, Aug. 23, 2007

North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20

Five of us (all members of the Washington Ornithological Society) set out to look for mountain birds along the trail up a to Cutthroat Pass. The trail hadn't much changed since I first hiked it in 2004, easy to walk with a moderate climb, except this time the weather wasn't much obliging. We changed in and out of rain gear probably every twenty minute or so. By the time we reached the pass everything was fogged in. However, along the way we encountered what we came to look for: Right a the parking lot a small flock of Red Crossbills. Within the first half mile singing Black-Headed Grosbeaks, Pine Siskins and Evening Grosbeaks everywhere. Townsend's Solitaire, Hermit Thrush, Varied Thrush, Western Tanagers, Mountain Chickadees, Clark's Nutcrackers, Common Ravers, Grey Jays, Brown Creepers, Red-breasted Nuthatches, Chipping Sparrow, several types of Warblers, all made their appearances. The day ended with a couple of Pine Grosbeaks perched high up on a tree with their distinct whistling call. PS to avoid the long drive back to Seattle we had rented a chalet for a couple nights at the Clark's Skagit River Resort.