Arrived at 9:30am on a Sunday with a few parking spots available. Probably backpackers as I only saw a dozen people during the whole hike. The trail is snow free except for about 15ft close to the top that can be easily avoided. Bugs prevented me from doing any stops. I had to pace around the top to enjoy the view for a bit. The trail is as rocky as always. There are some streams running in the middle of the trail for a bit but it's not too bad. Poles are useful for one creek crossing, although there's a makeshift bridge to the right (didn't try using it as jumping over the rocks was easy with poles).

Lovely day in the North Cascades. Parking is right off highway 20, though the lot is relatively small compared to some others in the area, so be sure to plan for this and be careful not to block anyone else in when you park. There's a privy at the TH. Currently it has TP, but never sure how long that'll last!

The bridge over Granite Creek is solid, but some of the guard posts/rails have slipped considerably down and aren't very secure. The main bridge is fine, just don't rely heavily on arm support while crossing!

As others have mentioned, the Easy Pass Creek crossing later is significantly more dicey right now. Water is fairly fast flowing and high-ish at the moment. I was able to spot the log/branch bridge others referenced off to the right. It's a little wobbly, and you can tell some of the wood is starting to give, so be careful while using it. (You could probably get across on some rocks to the left, too, though I didn't scope this out as much.) The trail is a little obscured by water after the log bridge crossing - almost just looks like it might be another creek, but if you proceed up a little you can see the dry part of the trail resume a little farther up and slightly left. After that, it was quite a bit of thick growth until breaking out into pretty open area. Except for some briefly forested bits, the hike is pretty exposed from then on. There were quite a few trickles of water to cross here and there from snowmelt, but nothing to be concerned about.

I saw evidence of either cut switchbacks/people taking shortcuts or people having accidentally slid off a switchback on the upper talus portion last half mile or so to the pass (neither option is great 0.o), so be careful on that part of the trail (and don't just cut/shortcut the switchbacks! It can lead to trail and landscape damage that may impact our ability to hike out here - we want to be able to have nice things! XD) Near the pass, I was also discouraged to see someone had left a giant full box-sized plastic bag of wheat thins just lying by the side of the trail. I packed it out and am hoping/assuming this was slipped out accidentally, but definitely a reminder to please check and double check we don't leave stuff like that behind.

Almost all the snow is gone, but there was still one large patch on the switchbacks as you start getting close to the pass. It was a pretty precarious snow bridge, but it is very doable to pick your way around carefully on the rocks instead if it still looks too dicey to cross. 

Bugs seemed like they got worse the farther up I progressed, and they were definitely a nuisance up at the pass. Lots of social trails in the main pass area, so keep an eye out for which ones are marked as off limits (usually with rocks or branches subtly blocking the entrance). The fragile meadows up there can be really susceptible to long-lasting damage if we keep trampling areas we shouldn't. Plenty of beautiful sights both throughout the hike and up at the pass. I went a little farther down the other side of the pass to see the surrounding peaks on that side more fully. Saw a few other people throughout also having a good time. Lots of wildflowers, too. Cheers and happy summer, all!

Day 1. We started on the trail at 9 a.m. and reached the pass by 1 p.m., took a lunch break, and then headed down the hillside to Fisher Camp. The bugs were bad, campsites need some maintenance.  If you have the time and energy to push on to Cosho Campground you should do it. Cosho is beautiful and spacious and right on Fisher Creek. A beautiful spot. 

Day 2. We got a 9 a.m. start. The weather was clear and the wild flowers were beautiful. Lupine, Asters, Indian Paintbrush, tiger lillies, Arroroot(yellow daisy); Lungwort, Queen Ann's Lace- and more! We walked thru the beautiful Fisher Basin. Brushy in places. Had lunch at Cosho. The afternoon hike was wooded with lots of log bridges crossing creeks. Thankfully, every log bridge had a handrail! We reached Junction Camp at 5 p.m. There was one huge slide on the trail with a steep detour. The trail crew is working on a reroute in this area so that was interesting.

Day 3. We got on the trail at 7 a.m to beat the heat and reached our car at 2 p.m. I would rate this hike as a Humdinger! The trail is in great shape.

Trail: essentially snow free except for one super short bit you just go around on the rocks; running water some places; brushy in others; a few stream crossings that are easy except one where it'd be good to have poles for balancing on rocks or you could use the make-shift log bridge that was made; rocky; long, exposed parts so if going on a hot day you might want to go early. 

Bathroom facilities at trailhead and decent amount of parking. 

Just used boots and poles for last bit due to loose rocks/gravel.

Beautiful views most of the trail, especially the end. 

Blog version (disclaimers)

Quick-and-dirty version

Access: Easy Pass Trailhead
Round Trip: 22.1 miles
Elevation Range: 3680′-7945′
Gear: helmet, ice ax, crampons
Dog-Friendly: no pets

Route

1. Hike the Easy Pass Trail to Easy Pass in 3.5 miles.
2. Continue down Fisher Creek Trail and reach the fork in a little over a mile. Take the brushy trail upstream to 5600' and up the snow upslope to the 7400' notch.
3. Traverse northwest over ribs and gullies to reach Arches Peak's summit. 
4. Traverse the west ridge to 7500' and drop down to Lake 5972.
5. Bypass Mount Arriva's west wall at 5600' and drop to the valley floor at 5100'.
6. Go south through the basins to reach the 6960' saddle camp.
7. Climb Indecision Peak from the south and back to the pass.
8. Climb Natal Peak via the north and return to camp.
9. Return through the unnamed creek basin and cross Fisher Creek at 4800' to reach the trail.
10. Walk 2.5 miles back to Easy Pass and 3.5 miles down to the trailhead.

Highlights

• Expansive view of Fisher Creek Valley, including Ragged Ridge, Fisher Peak, and Mount Arriva
• Vast view of North Cascades National Park high points
• Sunshine and solitude

Lowlights

• 90+ degrees weather on both days
• Mosquito armies from trailhead to the saddle camp