Hiked up and camped at the top of Cutthroat Pass-- the hike in was great, 5 miles, uphill all the way with rewarding views every few steps. Trail condition was good, with only minor blow-over and avoidable mud but quite a few loose rocks. The trail is primarily dry, loose dirt and rocks once you clear the forest. The trail is lined with berry bushes-- but the due to the dry season there were very few with any berries on them. The weather was perfect for the hike up. There are ample flat, soft camping spaces at the pass, many of them occupied. Just remember to fill up your water flasks, the closest source is a tiny stream about 30 minutes back down the path. The pass is extremely picturesque-- craggy mountain peaks and lucious valleys in every direction. Plan on taking pictures, I took ~100 throughout the weekend. Camping at the pass, however, I do not recommend. If you stay the night you will want to be prepared for wind and cold. It was already 50°F by 6pm. The spots to camp at are soft, with plenty space for at least one tent and lounging. The problem is only a couple have even minor shielding from the wind that tears through the pass as soon as night falls. All night long I felt like my tent had a secret desire to float me off, like Mary Poppins riding the wind on her umbrella. It blew and battered the tent all night long, loudly enough to keep me from getting very much sleep. At sunrise the wind stopped, the sun came out, and all was good again in the world. I moved my sleeping pad outside the tent and got a little of the rest I missed out on during the night. At 5 miles up and 5 miles down I would say this is an excellent day hike, but don't camp here unless you are prepared to bear the cold and wind. Allow yourself about 6-7 hours for a leasurely enough stroll to enjoy all of the scenery and a stop at the top.

It was the best 4th of July ever ! Three of us left Rainy Pass on the 4th and hiked to Snowy lakes to spend the night. There was some snow at Cutthroat Pass and some more patches along the trail between Cutthroat and Granite Passes. Hiking poles would be a good idea, I understand someone died there last year. I was sorry to hear the news. The hike is beautiful, lot's of flowers blooming along the trail and more on the way. We saw marmots, and one mtn. goat in a cave in the far distance. Overall the trail is in good shape, some wet places where the snow is creating runoff. We did do some work to the bridge that crosses Porcupine Creek on our way back down on the 6th. We used some old bridge material and built steps up to both sides of the new log bridge to aid in stepping up to the log with a heavy pack. Hope everyone enjoys our efforts, it did not take long and it was nice to contribute. Michael

Our group of seven Mntrs arranged a car shuttle at either end of the hike so we could do a one-way trip. We started at Rainy Pass on the PCT and encountered a tricky creek crossing early on. Gaiters saved our feet! Encountered snow at 6000 feet which was pretty well compacted although we postholed a few times. Trail is easy to follow as long as you pay attention. Gaiters and poles are a big help. We stopped to eat just below the pass, climbing to some heather and rocks above the trail. Good thing we stopped there because we were pelted by snow at the pass. Paused for some photos, got our bearings (the trail down is below, not the one you can see) and headed down in typical N Cascades Juneuary stormy weather. Cutthroat trail from just below pass all the way out is completely free of snow and the creek crossings are manageable. Well the effort of car shuttle to be able to see 10.5 miles of fresh scenery.

Run, folks – don’t walk - to this trailhead. It’s the PCT North trailhead off 20 at Rainy Pass. Wow, what a place! This rivals Maple Pass Loop and Mt. Dickerman for variety. The flowers are jammin’ on the lower meadows! Flower freaks would have freaked! I don’t know who built this stretch of the PCT, but they did a fine job. The turnpikes look very, very old, and all but one still have a large “crown” of fill. The rock drainage structures brought a tear to my eye. As most of you know, all trails have a Mystery Structure. That’s when you’re thinking, “what IS this'…..and why is it here….'” This trail has a beaut, about a mile in. Go check it out. I was greeted by a beautiful doe about 100 feet from the lonely trailhead. Soon afterwards, found myself in the prettiest meadow, amongst a riot of bloomin’ flowers, basking in the warm sun, releasing a sweet fragrance. Each turn of the trail had something different to show me - beautiful meadows, trees creaking and swaying in the wind, trees taking naps on the trail (tons of blowdown). Janet Putz, are you reading this' Hi! Visiting family in Cleveland sucks, don’t it' There is no bridge at one of the creeks, and crossing it on a skinny rotten log at the edge of the drop was a little scary, but only a little wet. The bridge at Porcupine Ck is gone, and that crossing was not scary, but very wet. For what seemed to be a very long time, I stood there and thought about how best to cross this wide, deep, rushing thing. I soon got bored with the whole situation, and just waded across. It was easier. A more diligent person may have found a way upstream, but that prospect looked to be as much a pain in the ass as wading was. Closer to the pass, stretches of the trail are a bit deteriorated, rutted, muddy. I had lunch overlooking a beautiful basin full of larches, meadowgrass, and pretty creeks. Here, there is a 180 degree view of snow-capped, golden-colored for which Washington Pass is loved. The other 180 degrees was a slope of wildflowers and larches, reaching up as far as I could see! The trail is covered with snow just as it begins switchbacking up to the Pass. I followed someone elses’ kick-steps up to the Pass, which was covered in a wide, flat snowfield pink with mold. And what a view! Little islands of flat rock and larches dotted the huge expanse of snow at the top. There is a 360 degree view of mountains here – toward Washington Pass were Silver Star Peak, the tip of Liberty Bell, Dome Peak, and beyond. In the east are the snow-studded, golden-hued Sawtooth range – complete with thunderstorms and lightening passing over them. To the west, Cutthroat Peak, and many others (you can tell I don’t know the names of them). I lay down on a flat, warm rock and basked in the sun a while, listening to the wind scream through the bare larches. I was totally, completely alone, and between windgusts, it was so, so silent and wonderful! Beyond the Pass, I could see the PCT kick-stepped into a steep snowfield clinging to the edge of this crazy, long mountain, making it’s way to Hart’s Pass. It looked scary as hell, but beautiful. The wind was picking up somethin’ fierce, and the steep snowfield didn’t look like it was something I wanted to attempt while alone – so I left – reluctantly! I’m going to “bookmark” this one in my brain, and my friends can get sick of me saying “Cutthroat Pass” this, and “Cutthroat Pass” that. A little variety from “Maple Pass Loop” this, and “Maple Pass Loop” that, hey'

Arrived at the trail Friday around 3:30pm. 7 cars in the lot but some belonged to day hikers on their way down by that time. Made it to the pass by 6pm (5 miles, 2000' gain). Trail was in fine condition but the very first stream crossing is a challenge - I slipped on wet rocks both coming in and going out the next day. The view from the pass is great, particularly at sunrise and sunset. However I should warn you - the temperature dropped into the 20's by 10pm and the wind is relentless. It's best to camp in the designated area far below the pass, unless you bring winter gear. I awoke Saturday (actually I was too cold to sleep so I just sort of warmed up and arose) at 7am and stepped out of my tent onto ice! The moisture in the trail had frozen. Crunching my way towards Granite Pass I looked back to see an array of glistening, icy footprints. I had intended to climb the Golden Horn but missed the way trail - it's across from a horse camp between Granite and Methow Passes. I realized my mistake at Methow Pass and decided to climb Mt.Hardy instead. This is an intimidating summit to look at but the hardest part is actually the inevitable slog up loose rock that frustrates many Cascade climbers. To reach the top head around to the west face as you climb - the summit requires a lot of nerve (looooooong drops off the other faces) but not ropes. Highlights from the top include Glacier Peak, Eldorado Peak, Mt.Baker and the awesome Challenger Glacier. I was hoping to finally see the Picketts but as usual they were just out of view. I started down at 2pm, arrived back at Cutthroat Pass at 6:30pm and the parking lot by 8:30pm (in darkness). I have to mention that the views on the way to the pass are much better from trail #483 along Cutthroat Creek than from #2000.