This was my first hike for Hike-a-Thon 2010. I was looking for a lot of miles without a lot of elevation and this 14.7-mile clockwise loop fit the bill. On the way up to Cathedral Rock, we passed a few parties coming out after an overnight at Squaw Lake. We only saw one other group on the entire 5+ mile PCT section - it was pleasantly solitary. Cathedral Rock was in and out of the clouds but we had great views up to Mt Daniel, to the ridge across the valley, south to Mt Stuart, and down to Hyas Lake. Some heather and other wildflowers blooming, but no big riotous show here. The creeks were roaring and one of them on the PCT required a (chilly!) ford at about 2.5 miles from Cathedral Pass (mid-calf to knee deep, depending on how you crossed). Someone before us had set up a few logs (pictured below) for the first section of the ford, which were easy to use but I don't know whether they will continue to be stable. The section of trail about a mile to either side of this creek was pretty brushy - not enough to make it unpleasant but it certainly slowed us down a bit. The bugs were out in force. Not too bad when we were moving but full coverage or repellent was needed when stopped.

Be prepared for a long, bumpy ride on the dirt access road to the trailhead. It takes about 1 hr from the I90 exit to the trailhead. The lovely Tucquala Meadows along the road are past their flowering prime. Very little snow on the trail and a few bugs. Do not stop at the PCT junction which according to the guidbooks is the official end of the trail but continue on unitl you see Deep Lake in the valley below and Mount Daniel with its glaciers above feeding Deep Lake with plunging creeks cascading thousands of feet. Spectacular scenery. Plenty of water sources including Squaw Lake 2.5 mile into the hike. See http://picasaweb.google.com/steve.d.podleski/CathedralRock7142010# for more pics and a topo map

After a restless night's sleep, I departed Seattle at 3am and made the 2-hour drive to Roslyn. After bumping down the excruciatingly-long Forest Road 4330, I parked at the Cathedral Rock trailhead and set out on my hike from the Deception Pass trailhead at 7:30am, which is just a minute or so walk away. My goal was to to a counterclockwise loop and spend the night somewhere near the base of Cathedral Rock. The first four or so miles of the hike are super-easy and it's quite pleasing to the eye to see Hyas Lake come into view. You'll walk along the brand-new puncheon that the USFS contracted out (and pieces of the old one are off to the side further up the trail). Watch out, the new one's slippery! The climb up to Deception Pass was tough at times for me because I'm still working on getting into tip-top shape, but for a moderately experienced hiker, it shouldn't be a problem. Once you're up there, it's a wonderful ramble through snow-dusted meadows on a well-maintained trail (thanks WTA & USFS!). The Deception Pass trail intersects with Marmot Lake and the PCT (the latter was just a gigantic puddle where it connected with the other two trails). I wandered along, taking in eyefuls of the landscape, until I reached the first of two technical creek crossings. It was a piece of cake. The second one (Daniel Creek) is infamous for being difficult and today was no different. I didn't make it across unscathed and you can blame the damn pika that decided to scurry across the very boulder I was preparing to step on. I would strongly advise NOT crossing Daniel Creek. I think it's unsafe until next summer. With a completely-soaked lower body and boots (I was smart enough to have tossed my pack onto the other side of the creek, so it stayed dry), I knew that I had to get dry ASAP. Fortunately, the trail levels out for a while in a nice boulder field. I stopped to dry out my socks and pants in the (albeit chilly) breeze and have a snack, then chatted with some brethren to the little monster that had just tried to kill me. Coming around the bend and seeing Cathedral Rock in all its glory is breathtaking, even when you're slogging in wet boots. If there's anything that will lift your spirits, it's seeing the fog-enshrouded monolith before you. The trail climbs to its base, switching back a bunch (there are fallen trees that you have to detour around) and finally running into a creek (one of the trees has a sign mentioning campfires at Deep Lake. Don't be thrown off. Just follow the rock-lined path to the right until it crosses the creek. The trail then levels off in gorgeous alpine meadows with green-tinted tarns that are already starting to freeze. The rest of the way is pretty easy, especially in the places where there are beautifully-built turnpikes. Beware, the trail bordering the meadow has been pretty trampled, which makes me sad, and you might encounter dog poop (domestic dogs, may I mention). The descent toward Squaw Lake is knee-jarring at times, but nothing that even someone with osteoarthritis can't handle. Squaw Lake was busy, lots of people camping, so I continued on to complete the 14.4 mile dayhike. Once you pass Squaw Lake, be prepared for lots of horse poop and muddy, human / equine trampled turnpikes. Watch your footing but take heart, the bridge over Cle Elum River will be in your eyeline before you know it! PS: Much to my surprise, even in 30-degree weather, there were still some skeeters out. Also, a great deal of both trails become creeks with snowmelt and diverted water, so wear gaiters or rainpants (or both, like I did) and you'll be a happy camper.

LEaving the trailhead from the meadows parking lot the trail is nice and shaded from the early morning sun. The trail is a moderate climb for 1.8 miles to the junction to Cathedral Rock. A nice break spot is not far at Squaw Lake. The traversing trail (Peggy's Pond) is a little difficult for those that are unfamiliar with off trail travel. Go slow and stay high when in question. Welcome to Peggy's Pond & Mt. Daniels. I am renaming this place Mosquitoe pond and Mosquitoe Mountain. 98.11% DEET (Jungle Juice) is nothing to these biting critters. Deep Woods Off only attracts them. My clothes were pre-treated with some expensive spray on stuff. NOTHING WORKS HERE. We made camp FAST and dove in the tents. These bugs swarmed the tents. They stuck to our tent waiting for my blood. Early morning the same conditions. Packed up for summit run on Daniels. Getting on the ridge wasnt to hard, we started from the creek via glacier route. Those mosquitoes were on us up to 7000 ft. They never backed off. Lot's of variation climbers trails up the SE ridge. Choose any of them and they will all meet together. I wish we took more direct route up the glacier, veer right up snow finger or obvious rock slope, veer left under false summit, cross to west summit. This place should be a proving ground for bug spray. Again, NOTHING WORKED AT ALL. These guys were landing on my bottle of DEET. Taking pic's was not very possible. 7 mosquitoes bit me on the face last one I tried to take. I've never packed up camp so fast to get out of there. I am writing this swollen and itchy. I feel weak from loss of so much blood, one bite at a time. Hiker Beware!!!

My son and I took a loop trip. We hiked up to Peggy's Pond (should be Ponds) from the Hyas Lake parking area (over 50 cars). Spent 2 nights a little above Peggy's Pond and climbed Mount Daniel. Nice climb via the Hyas Glacier route. Then we went back to Cathedral Pass and took the PCT to Deception Pass. This trail needs some brush work and the crossing of the river was work. Luckily, we had water shoes. Then on to Tuck's Pot and Robin Lakes. We were going to stay 2 nights there also; however, the humidity and bugs convinced us to go back to cool and bug free Montana a day early. These are great places to be a month from now. A WTA work party was doing some good work on the Deception Pass trail replacing wood walkways over swamp area.