Cutthroat Pass via the Pacific Crest Trail — Wednesday, Jul. 9, 2008

North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20

Started from the PCT trailhead at Rainy Pass parking lot, with goal of Cutthroat Pass (5 miles away). About 0.5 mile in, there's a deep gushing creek that requires fording with boots off. Poles are helpful. There are several more creeks that need to be forded, but none of the subsequent ones were as deep. Because of the warm temperature, the flows of all the creeks were significantly heavier in the afternoon coming back than in the morning. A section of blow-down around 3 miles, but fairly easily crossed. Significant snow fields starting soon after, but we were able to make out enough section of trail and follow prior tracks to within 0.5 mile of the pass. Snowpack still quite deep in most areas. Still the views were fabulous.