Cady Ridge, Dishpan Gap, Lake Sally Ann — Aug. 31, 2013

Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East

4 photos

Beware of: trail conditions

Ripe berries
Hiked with a dog

2 people found this report helpful

Matt & I hiked up Cady Ridge over Labor Day weekend, using FR 6700 to reach the open portion of FR 6500. It took about an hour to navigate the forest roads. 6700 was in moderate condition. 6500 began with smooth pavement, but the last few miles were very rough gravel. On the way out, we encountered a car that had blown a tire on this road, so be careful. There were relatively few cars at the trailhead, a welcome change from the overcrowded trails of previous trips. The hike begins with a steep downhill to a bridge, then a steep and partially overgrown uphill. After this warm-up, the trail mellows out quite a bit with little incline. One of the first things we noticed was the variety of mushrooms lining the trail. The mellow flatness transitioned into some mellow switchbacks, uphill, but nothing too crazy. This area was loaded with flies and bees. After completing the switchbacks, we skirted to a side of the ridge and prepared ourselves for the steep section of the trail. The steep grade and erosion made this part exhausting and tricky. Our legs were burning after this, so the more gradual uphill that followed didn’t feel like much of an improvement. Certain sections of the trail on the ridge were overgrown, but the trail was still followable. This ridge hike also provided some stunning views of Glacier Peak and other surrounding mountains. The trail was loaded with delicious blueberries and other berries that I couldn’t identify. Despite the plethora of berries, we saw no bears. About a mile out from the PCT, we had an awesome view of Mt. Rainier dominating a vast ridgeline. We camped at the last site on Cady Ridge just before it intersects with the PCT (as marked on the Green Trails map). The site was in great shape and offered an unobstructed view of Glacier Peak. That night, the moon was nowhere to be seen and the stars and Milky Way were out in full force. This was perhaps the best night sky we’ve had while backpacking.  We left our camp the next morning to explore the PCT without our full packs. Our first stop was Lake Sally Ann to filter water. The lake itself looked pretty clear, but was full of fish and bugs swarming the surface. We instead filtered from an inlet stream just up the hill from the scree on the southern edge of the lake. After filtering, we hiked up just past Dishpan Gap before heading back towards our camp. We were able to filter water from an unmapped stream on the PCT just north of the Cady Ridge junction. We were hoping for a colorful view of Glacier Peak as the sun set, but the peak was quickly hidden by clouds. The night’s sky was just as impressive as the previous evening’s, with no clouds to be seen. We began hiking out the next morning, departing our site around 10am. The steep and eroded downhill section was especially rough on our already tired legs and feet; we were excited to reach the tamer switchbacks. We reached the car around 2pm and were swiftly on our way out. For more details on our experience hiking Cady Ridge, please check out my blog post at http://curioushungry.blogspot.com/2013/09/backpack-cady-ridge-august-31-september.html

Cady Ridge, Dishpan Gap, Meander Meadows, Kodak Peak — Aug. 30, 2013

Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East

3 photos

Tired Feet

WTA Member

20

Beware of: trail conditions

Ripe berries

Spent Labor day weekend up in the Glacier Peak area. Arrived at the Little Wenatchee ford trailhead and only found 6-7 other cars, very promising for Labor Day weekend and headed up the Cady Ridge Trail (after reading trip reports, neither of us wanted to come down it, even with poles). It was steep but fortunately in the trees through much of the switchbacks so not too hot. Missed the wildflowers by probably a couple of weeks but the views were beautiful and we were more than compensated for lack of flowers by an abundance of blueberries and huckleberries, one certainly would not starve up there right now! We set up camp at Meander Meadows where we camped for two nights. For those with older GTM's, be advised that what appears to be the 'official' trail leading from the PCT to the camp sites has moved to the east side of the valley, it is well maintained and has clearly been worked on, but if you are using an old GTM (the electronic version is old) you will think you are on the wrong side of the valley. On day two we headed to White Pass on the PCT. Perfect weather, reasonably cool so we arrived at White Pass before our turnaround time and so decided to go to Red Pass. The section to Red Pass was one of our favorite trails, very dramatic views down the valley. Loved the moonscape views from Red Pass, can't wait to do this as a section hike from Steven's to Stehekin, have the perfect campsite picked out! On the last day we got up early and put a stove and breakfast in our packs and headed up Kodak Peak for 360 degree views, it was fantastic, didn't want to leave the top but eventually had to come down and return to the real world. Hiked out the Little Wenatchee River trail, it served its purpose of being the shortest trail back to the parking lot (and ultimately Zeke's), but seriously it had no redeeming value, in fact it was sort of a god forsaken trail! Hot, very brushy and few views (OK, the first half had blueberries so we grazed). The only thing I would do differently would be to come out the Cady Pass, then Cady Creek trails to make a loop to the west, it's longer but would avoid a 7 mile bushwhack. Seriously great hike....fantastic weather (just enough clouds to make the sky interesting, but no rain, beautiful views and not too many people especially for a holiday week end, we ended up doing 43 miles in all. Saw marmots, ptarmigan, pica, elk, eagles, hawks, ravens and many other birds but no bears :-(. Bugs present but not horrible.

Dishpan Gap, North Fork Skykomish River — Jul. 13, 2013

Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West

4 photos

Muledeer

WTA Member

Outstanding Trip Reporter

1K

Beware of: snow, trail conditions

My first volunteer vacation! Not having backpacked for a long time, I was a little anxious about this trip. This was an easy backpack into a campsite on the river about 3+ miles in. Take the Pass Creek fork to the right off the main trail to a nice campsite by the river. We base camped here and worked on the trails in this area, brushing out, widening trail and constructing horse fords across a couple of creeks. I took the trail up to Dishpan Gap on my day off. This is a 12 mile RT hike from the campsite. There is one serious river crossing over a log that may be a butt scoot if you are not comfortable with balance. There is another nice campsite about 4 miles up from the junction, just before you start seriously gaining elevation. Hike through meadows ( a few snow patches linger, watch for the trail) then switchback up to Dishpan Gap for nice views and a junction with the PCT. A couple of more adventurous hikers in our group did a 19 mile RT, heading up the Pass Creek trail to Cady Pass then on the PCT, summited Kodak Peak and back down Dishpan Gap trail. They reported snow patches, but easily crossed with poles. The bugs were BAD all week, not benevolent PNW bugs, but the hordes from Mordor!. The thrushes are calling Deeeeeet for a reason. We had netting, long shirts and bug spray the whole week. Lots of huckleberries in a month!

North Fork Skykomish River, Kodak Peak, Dishpan Gap — Sep. 6, 2012

Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West

1 photo

2DrX Explorations

5

Beware of: trail conditions

Wildflowers blooming
Fall foliage
Ripe berries

2 people found this report helpful

Spent 2 nights camped on the North Fork Skykomish river, with a dayhike sandwiched in to climb Kodak Peak. The North Fork Sky trail is in good shape and cleared of blowdowns but appears to not get too much use on the upper 1/2, with debris on the trail and woody plants invading. Plenty of water running still up to the river crossing (good log still there) and camping beyond at 3680'. No water from there until you get to the river camping area at 4300'. The next water is at around 5100' after the steep climb from the river up to the meadows at 5000'. I camped 2 nights at the 4300' camp. River running strong. I noticed from 2 years ago that people have started building big fire rings right in the middle of logical places to pitch a tent. Darn it people! Quit building fire rings! Saw several groups camped at Dishpan Gap, and quite a few people hiking both ways on the PCT. Small trickle of water 1/4 or so north from Dishpan Gap. A better source is running further near Sauk Pass where a still large snowfield is melting. Note: this flows down into the Sauk drainage and can't been seen from the trail unless you leave the PCT and follow a trail a couple hundred yards to the left over the divide. Many places to camp here and further along the Sauk Pass area (could never really find the exact location of Sauk Pass, and asked several folks who did not know either). There is a good boot track going straight up Kodak Peak. It starts near where the PCT hits the east spine of the peak. As the trail goes higher, it pretty much stays on this east spine of the peak until the top. I think it took me 1/2 hour to get up, 10 minutes down. Small snowfields still on the NE side of Kodak Peak are supplying water to the PCT on that side. Started out very early on the last day and made it out to the TH in 3 hours which is fast for me. Some very brushy areas on the first 5 miles of the N Fk trail, just a few and they are small. Hard to see where feet are being placed. I did exactly what I was trying NOT to do while traveling alone and twisted an ankle on one of these sections. Heavy boots helped and I was glad it didn't happen on the first day. No Mosquitoes, but the flies are still out there. Not too bad though.

Quartz Creek, Bald Eagle Mountain, Dishpan Gap, West Cady Ridge to Benchmark Mountain — Sep. 9, 2011

Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West

pothunter

Beware of: snow, trail conditions

Wildflowers blooming

To summarize, I had 44 A+ hours sandwiched between 6 B+ hours and a final leg of 3 nasty D hours. So, I’d say a B+ trip overall. - Quartz Creek to Curry Gap (4 mi; 1400 ft; 2 hours) Nice amble in the woods where I met only a horse couple who warned me of the predator (probably a mountain lion, they said) that their horses were spooked by, and the totally overgrown, brush-filled, log-jammed trail from Curry Gap to Bald Eagle Mountain. All lies. They were also impressed with my bravery for not carrying a gun. - Curry Gap to Bald Eagle/Long John ridge (3 mi; 1300 ft; 3+ hours) Trail in great shape besides a few places where the meadow breaks brushed against my shoulders. Not a single log on the trail. Mosty dry. Trail goes in and out of meadow breaks and trees. Heavy pack; good spirits. Camped at a nice seasonal/melt tarn; no real wide view, but pleasant enough if it weren’t for the mosquitoes. Very happy that I brought my Hubba-Hubba with fly netting on all sides. - Long John Ridge, June Mountain, Dishpan Gap, PCT/Cady Ridge Junction (9 mi; +/-500ft; 6 hours) This was the highlight of the trip. Beautiful ridge walk; the kind we crave. Stunning views of Sloan, Glacier and surrounds; even a peak at Mt Baker. South to Alpine Lakes Peaks, Rainier. The trail stays high; goes right over the summit of June Mtn (the high point of the day – 6000). It was a mistake to skip camping at Blue Lake which I could see from June Mtn summit. Since the bugs chased me out of camp by 8am, I found myself at Ward’s Pass by 1:30. A little further toward Lake Sally Ann (on the PCT) and I was lucky to find a primo camp site. Perhaps the nicest campsite I’ve ever slept so close to major trails. Sleep there someday, it’s perfect; just below the PCT/Cady Pass trail junction. Cady Pass trail practically goes through the campsite, but that’s no bother, because the site has box seats for the Glacier Peak sunset show. From my tent, I watched the sunset and sunrise glow on the mountain. In the other direction I watched the half-moon set. - PCT/Cady Ridge Junction to Cady Pass to Miserable West Cady Ridge Exit (15 mi; 2000 ft up/ 5500 ft down) Hiking solo, I found myself breaking camp at sunrise. Then the early morning bugs chased me out of camp by 7:30am. From camp I took the PCT 6 miles South past Lake Sally Ann, Mt Skykomish, then down meadows, then treed switchbacks through Cady Pass to the West Cady Ridge trail. Nice walking and the views before the switchbacks were pretty. The WCR junction is near Saddle Gap, which I remember from our PCT trip as being a very beautiful narrow meadowed notch in the ridge. At this point, the mosquitoes were joined by fierce and hungry black flies. I had to keep moving. The 1400 ft climb from near Saddle Gap to the top of WCR was in full South facing heat. The bugs chased me out of any rest stops, so I arrived at Benchmark Mtn at 1:00pm and chatted with a Search/Rescue horse group already there. They gave me three bottles of cold beer. I drank one right away and packed the other two for my last night on the trip. After ditching my pack and climbing the last 300 ft to the top of Benchmark, I found a fantastic 360 view of the great Cascades, but no breeze, no shade and massive flies. Hmmm…nowhere else to go. I could sit in my tent until sunset, drink some beers, then pound down at sunrise. Or I get the abuse over with immediately. I chose the latter and started hiking down by 2pm. Along the way I noted that all the snowmelt ponds I had planned on drinking from that night had been stomped and fouled by horses. Remarkably, the beer had completely relaxed my aching muscles and staved off thirst and hunger. I made great time on aching feet through 4 inches of hoof stomped dust and horse dung. WCR is a dry and shitty affair; reminds me of Long, Long Ridge in the Olympics, only in reverse and much dustier and shittier. Totally dry and never ending. When the aching feet got loud, or I started to flag, I set my pack down, popped another bottle of Kirkland’s IPA or Amber. What followed was a strange combination of relaxation and “fuck this shit” confidence that made the hot, dirty, buggy, dry and miserable WCR kind of fade away. I limped into the trailhead parking lot about 5pm and drove home. A good trip; not great. From all signs the summer is at least one month behind. The flowers, bugs and snow patches all attest. But the saddest evidence I saw was the state of the blueberries. In most places on the WCR – a well-known berry spot – the majority of fruit had not yet closed up from flower form. The ones that had were green and hard. Beware of hungry (or dead) bears next spring.