We started our trip on the 4th at the Little Wenatchee Ford Trailhead. We arrived around 10am and got the last "real" parking spot. There was a detour in the forest road approaching the trailhead, and the road in general was rough in a hatchback, but doable. The restroom was closed (needs maintenance). 

The fork to turn onto Cady Ridge has a sign knocked down really early on, but the trail is otherwise easily navigable, just quite the climb in the first couple miles. Also, we forgot bug spray, so the mosquitoes were awful in the first mile or so. No good water sources along the way, so bring enough to last. The snow is melting rapidly, but there was still a bit on the ground. The wildflowers were so fun!

Lake Sally Ann had plenty of campsites when we arrived around 4:30 and we actually only had three parties that night. The next night there were about 5 groups. Some signage is broken/pushed over by snow. Lots of mosquitoes when the wind was calm. The vault toilet is clean but the construction is rickety and needs maintenance. The lake is almost completely melted and beautiful! 

We came down the PCT and then Cady Creek trail which I would not recommend to anyone until a maintenance crew can come through. The PCT section was amazing, but as soon as you split off, it was not fun. There were 15 or so trees down, sometimes lengthwise over the overgrown trail, making navigation impossible. We would not have made it without downloaded maps. Sometimes you found the trail by where your feet felt the least plant resistance. We also saw three piles of bear scat and fresh tracks but thankfully no live sightings. Next time, I would have skipped the loop and gone for Cady Ridge again. 

Just thought I'd say there are a few downed logs a little over 2 miles from the trailhead. I could not drive past these logs. A bike wouldve been useful. I did a 40 mile loop going through Cady ridge to the pct to Indian Head peak to the poets ridge to Whittier then to poe mountain trail back to the road then the road walk back to my car. Mainly just reporting this so someone can maybe clear these logs.

The trailhead for Cady Ridge is at the end of Forest Road 67.  Three other trails, the Cady Creek Trail, the Meander Meadow Trail and the Poe Mountain Trail depart from the same trailhead.  The road in is in good shape and suitable for all vehicles until the last mile or so, when it becomes quite rocky and rough.  Our Subaru Ascent was fine, but a low-slung car would have difficulty with this last stretch. 

Only a few cars were parked at the trailhead when we arrived, and we saw only two other people on the trail all day, a pair of backpackers bound for Blue Lake.

FR 67 was fully open the day we hiked, but the following day (August 14) it was closed at the junction with FR 65 because of fire activity on Wenatchee Ridge.  Check before you go.

The trail up Cady Ridge is quite steep, as noted in the trail description, so plan to take a little extra time on the way up. Fortunately, the steep section is in the forest with plenty of shade.  Just before you top the ridge, a large tree blocks the trail.  It is difficult to find a way around this, so we ended up climbing up and over.  There are several other trees across the trail, but they are all easy to step or climb over.  Once past these challenges, up on the ridge, the trail is in great shape and makes for easy walking all the way to the PCT.  There are plenty of ups and downs, but nothing too challenging. 

Although the best views of Glacier occur early along the ridge (between the first and second viewpoints noted in the trail description; see photo), it is worthwhile to continue well past the second knoll to experience the open meadows and stunning views from the other side of the ridge (see photos). 

The sub-alpine meadows along the ridge were luxuriant green and filled with blooming flowers.  With these in the foreground and stunning mountains and ridges in all directions, it was a gorgeous hike.

Hiked up the Cady Ridge trail from the Little Wenatchee "Ford". Set up camp in an old, slightly off-trail site, about half a mile short of the PCT. Quick side trip to Lake Sally Ann. Headed back down the same way next day.

Road Conditions. Driving the paved section of the Rd 65 required some care as there were occasional bumps, missing bits of pavement, and poor visibility due to encroaching brush. The last couple miles were unpaved and rough (a high-clearance vehicle seemed like a good idea, as well as AWD if there's any chance of rain), but was at least thoroughly brushed out. The trailhead at the end of the road has space for only about 6 cars, plus another 6 or so on the side of the road before the turnaround is blocked for horse trailers (didn't see any), or parts of Rd 65 are turned into a one-way road.

Trail Conditions. A dozen or so blowdowns, but all but one were small-to-mid-sized and easy to step over. The one tedious blowdown was on top of the ridge, and required some climbing or crawling (or a long detour). There was a half-mile section of trail that lead straight up the ridge and that had some loose dirt and rocks, but nothing as bad as a typical climber's trail. There was running water near the bottom of the ridge, a few trickles half a mile before reaching the PCT, and of course at Lake Sally Ann. Some lingering patches of snow, but none to speak of on the trails.

Ripe Berries. 2 ripe blueberries; unlimited quantities are still a few weeks off... 

Highlights. Meadows with plentiful wildflowers, including a lot of Sitka valerian and pink mountain heather. One fat marmot in the talus above our campsite.

Bug Status. Lots of small, non-biting flies on the way up. Manageable amount of mosquitoes on the ridge late and early in the day.

Crowds. Encountered a dozen or so parties on the trail on the first day, and saw people camped just below the PCT junction as well as at Lake Sally Ann. The parking lot was overflowing both days.

Did a loop up Cady Ridge and down Meander Meadow. See that trail for report on that section.
Road is rough, but easily traveled in high clearance, assuming you're used to FS roads. Trail is in good shape, good tread, couple downed trees but very easy to get over. Yes, it is "steep" but honestly not much worse than most in the area. It is dry all the way to either Lake Sally Ann or to the PCT north a bit. Mosquitos were bad in the parking lot, biting flies are out and hungry. Flowers are starting, but not very many on this section. To get to really good views you have to get all the way to the PCT. Reward vs. effort isn't great on this section, in my opinion. But if you continue to Meander Meadow....WOW.