While driving back from Mazama, I decided to do this hike. The weather predicted rain and snow. I got both. There were a few brief glimpses of sun and patches of blue sky which was nice as I could see the views of surrounding mountain peaks and valleys. In all the times I've hiked this trail, I've never encountered snow until today. It made for a very pleasant and different experience.

The trail is wet but not slippery. Plenty of accessible water in the small creeks. The creek crossings are easy to manage. The snow at the pass was sticking to the ground but I suspect it won't be an issue after today. 

As I gained elevation on the mild switchbacks the colors created by the plants, trees and rocks was amazing. It's quite beautiful right now. My visual senses were in overload. Other than some PCT hikers I saw very few people.   

The fire destruction along Highway 20 from Newhalem to Winthrop is sad. I was surprised to see the extensive damage from the Blue Lake fire. I know the forest will recover. I only wish it didn't have to take so long for nature to rebound. Seeing today's beautiful landscape on Cutthroat Pass made me appreciate it all the more.

Hiked Cutthroat Pass from Hiway 20.  This hike never disappoints. Larches were just turning color. Gorgeous fall colors starting around mile 3 from TH. A relatively gentle grade for a 10 mile hike.  

We lay inert in our sleeping bags, the relative warmth dampening any motivation to emerge from our thin shelter into the moist clouds dancing about. Stillness.

Our journey to this moment had been long. Our milage from the newly reopened Rainy Pass Trailhead, and our ascent into the fall glory via an immaculate trail were simple enough. However, this was not our intended destination. Other plans had been made well in advance, a long drive to an east side trailhead completed, stomach flu (or food poisoning) ensued one mile from the car, an unplanned stay in a hotel, a long drive back to drop off the sick hiking partner, and finally a drive to Rainy Pass to make something of what should have been four days of meadows, lakes and peaks. I’ve been to Snowy Lakes as recently as two years ago; however, it made a good quick alternate (with an attempt to minimize time in the car and maximize time on the trail).

Visiting Friday and Saturday allowed us to enjoy this segment without the thru-hiker masses, and observe some of the recent changes to the area including: a new trail from the PCT to the lakes, and a toilet at the junction and Lower Snowy Lake.

After some early clouds shielding the high peaks covered in powdered sugar snow, we ascended to the lakes in the golden glow of the first evening sun of autumn. Many ripe larches caught the low angled rays, other larches haven’t received the memo but will undoubtedly with this week’s incoming weather. After enjoying a peaceful night, we were pleasantly surprised to have a nearly rain-free hike back to the car passing in and out of clouds catching the occasional glimpse of far away places.

Nothing beats fall in the North Cascades regardless of a change in plans.

We hiked up to Cutthroat Pass on the PCT and then continued north on the PCT for about 1.6 miles to just above Granite Pass.

GETTING THERE

Access is easy.  A short access road leads north from Highway 20 to the trailhead.  The unpaved portion has many potholes, but it is short.  With care, any car can make it to the trailhead. 

Although the Blue Lake fire is still burning, we saw no evidence of fire-fighting activity along the highway, and no sign of trail closures at Blue Lake or Rainy Pass.  The online fire closure map still shows the trails south of Highway 20 closed along this section, but cars were parked in the Blue Lake lot when we drove by. 

When we arrived at the Cutthroat Pass trailhead at about 10:30, there were 12 cars in the parking lot.  We encountered few other hikers along the trail, especially after heading north from the pass. 

ON THE TRAIL

The PCT up to Cutthroat Pass is one of the smoothest trails in the region.  The grade is easy and the trail is well-maintained.  There are some rocky sections, so good hiking footwear is helpful, but it really is an easy walk up to the pass.  We were happy to find several clear, running streams crossing the trail at the end of this dry summer.  Perhaps these were the aftermath of the recent snowfall and melt. 

The first 3.5 miles of the trail climb gently up through lovely, mature forest.  You catch the first view of the pass above about 2.5 miles from the trailhead, and a second view at 3 miles.  The first larches appear just before the lower camping area, about 3.5 miles from the trailhead.  After that, the larches increase in abundance and soon dominate the sparse forest.  On the lower slopes the larches are just beginning to turn, but the higher you go, the more have turned to their beautiful autumn yellow.  The blueberry bushes are red and purple already, and the azaleas and mountain ashes are orange, so there is plenty of fall color (see photos). 

Once at the pass, we turned north and continued along the PCT to the top of Granite Pass.  This part of the PCT crosses open scree slopes and is quite rocky, but it is almost level and easy hiking.  The views north and east are wonderful.  Once we got to the pass, we took a use trail up the small bluff above the trail for a 360-degree view of Tower Peak, the Golden Horn, the Needles, and back around to the PCT going south to Cutthroat Peak (see photos).  It was a perfect spot for a late lunch break.  We sat for an hour just marveling at the gorgeous, wild country all around us. 

All in all, this was a wonderful end-of-summer hike in this gorgeous part of the North Cascades.  It is a route that delivers incredible scenery for relatively little effort, and to be able to be there without massive crowds was a rare treat.  Continuing along the PCT to Granite Pass made this hike especially memorable.  It makes for a longer day hike, but not a difficult one. 

Thought I would catch a larch hike before Larch Madness starts.

The trail is as described in the WTA trail description.   This trail is a very small section of the PCT.  Hence, a wide soft trail, with very few areas of roots and rocks and a very gentle grade.

Once turning off SR20 to the TH, there is a 200 ft section of the road that has some deep potholes just before the parking lot.  Any car can make it with care.

The multiple stream crossings are easy as water flow is low.  Some of the smaller streams, most people won’t even know they are crossing a stream as they are completely dry.  Porcupine Creek and the tributary just south are two crossings that take a little rock hopping.  Nothing difficult.

Colors were stunning this morning.  Frost from last night only enhanced the colors. At mile 4 from the TH, I was walking down a trail lined by a red carpet on both sides.

There was snow yesterday morning.  Most has melted and only remnants left today.  With the exception of a couple of ice patches, the trail is completely clear.

Larches varied from light green to light yellow as I climbed elevation.  Larches were at prime at the pass.  

I passed 5 day hikers and 2 PCT thru hikers in my last mile of my 10 mi hike.  Not bad as I am sure this trail will be very busy soon with Maple Pass and Blue Lake still closed due to the Blue Lake fire.

Smoke was non-existent on this trail.  It is thick around Diablo and Newhalem from the Sourdough fire.