From August 9th - August 15th Boy Scout Troop 282 paddled and hiked on and around Ross Lake. Most of the time we were paddling and it was one of the best outdoor adventure I have ever been on. There was lightening, wind, rain, 90+ degree weather and lots of fun. Our group hiked a ways up Big Beaver Creek from the Big Beaver Camp Ground and we also hiked from Lightening Creek Camp Ground to above the Ponderosa Camp Ground. Trail conditions were excellent. You will need to either paddle from Colonial Creek Camp Ground to the Ross lake Dam on Diablo Lake where you call for a portage around the Dam at $20-$30 per boat per way or you take the Ross Lake Resort Ferry and you'll need to check with them on cost. Check in at the Marblemount Ranger station to get your camping permits. Once on Ross Lake paddle to your site and hike from there or again the Ross Lake Resort will ferry you to your trail head of choice. The views are spectacular and with only one way onto the lake from the U.S. and only one way from a very remote spot in Canada the lake is relatively low traveled, if there was a boat launch in the U.S. this would be overly crowded I'm sure it's a spectacular destination. Our week included camping at 5 different camp sites as we traveled into Canada and back for a total paddle of 55+ miles. Special features -Definitely take the river up Devils canyon to the waterfall. -Jump off the rocks north of Ponderosa. -Check out the waterfalls on the West side of the lake. -Diablo Lake is hands down the most beautiful water I have ever seen, the turquoise color I was told is from minerals picked up on the way down from the glacier that feeds the lake is called Glacial Milk.

The entire East Bank trail is in excellent condition. It is completely snow-free, and there were exactly three blowdowns in 31 miles. A trail crew had clearly been through recently. Happy Panther trail is also in near-perfect condition. This time of year, there is plenty of water along the trail. I don’t think I ever went more than five miles without a water source. One word of caution: lots and lots of ticks. I found 2 in my tent, 3 on my dog, and 1 crawling up my leg (I brushed it off before it got me). Lots more pics and some extra words here: http://evergreenendurance.com/2015/05/30/trip-report-east-bank-ross-lake-fastpack/

Well its been 30 days since I went on a hike. I've have been very sick and I am still recovering but decided to head out to hike part of the East Bank Trail of Ross Lake. I originally was going to backpack to May Creek or Rainbow Point campgrounds but felt I was not up to it as of yet. After thought is I wish I would have. The trail begins just a little east of where you get your first views of Ross Lake along Highway 20 in The North Cascades. You can not miss the big sign on the side of the road. Park on North side and trail begins there. This trail is in very good shape with minimal obstacles to step over, under or around. As you head down the hill from the parking lot your will get your first view of Ruby Creek and a nice wooden bridge built to cross over. This bridge is capable of allowing horse to cross since equestrians can ride out to Hidden Hands Campground with their horses. This camp ground has a nice view of Ross Lake at the east end along Ruby Creek Arm of the lake. Actually it has the only view until you get out past Roland Campground at about 7 miles. Rainbow Point is where I recommend someone hike to for an overnight camp with views of lake and a dock to sit on and fish from. This trail is relatively smooth with minimal ups and downs out to Rainbow Point Camp with a gain of only 700 feet but as I stated earlier this hike is mostly in the forest with no views of Ross Lake unless you take the detour down to Hidden Hands Campground at the dead end. This was a test hike for me to find Jack Mountain Trail and to get and idea where I would like to hike for a weekend overnighter. There are minimal bugs out now and none were annoying. My personnel opinion is that this would be a great kayaking trip up the lake and camp out along the many campsites dedicated to kayakers and stop at the trail to hike up Desolation Peak to see the fire lookout. This is in my plans for the future. Checkout the videos of this hike or over 300 other hikes I have done mostly in Washington State on my youtube channel at "lmm3181" or click on the direct link below for this hike. As always get out and see this beautiful state and enjoy your hiking Take Care, Mike

With easy pass still snowed, we chose this as a nice day hike. We did a ~7 mile round trip from the east bank trailhead to Ross lake. Other than some downed trees and stream crossings, this was a fairly easy hike. We only encountered one other hiker. There were great views where we stopped for lunch at Ross lake. Took us about 3hrs including our lunch break. No snow at all.

Devils Loop Trip Report Day One (midday Monday) 6 miles We entered at the Canyon Creek Trailhead and crossed two bridges. At the other side of the second bridge, we took a right and switch-backed up around 55 switchbacks. With 3300’ to climb, going was slow, but steady. Near the top, we crossed a rushing creek with a small waterfall. We filled out water here. Soon we found ourselves at McMillan Park, meandering through low blueberries bushes. As a thunderstorm with hail opened up, we made the mistake of trying to put our tents at a newly established camp and ended up drenched. Lesson: when you hear thunder, ready your poncho, and wait it out to put up camp. Day 2 (Monday) 7 miles Leaving McMillan Park we made our way down into a valley, and found Nickol Creek dry. Climbing 1000’, we found ourselves at Devil’s Park. Biting flies were a bother, so we quickly moved on after enjoying the views of widespread green pastures and wildflowers. 900’ later we found ourselves atop Jackita Ridge. Views were jaw-dropping. We ate lunch at the top of the scree field and then made our way down its 1000’ descent. We soon found ourselves climbing another ridge and in need of water. At the next loss in elevation, we found a fiercely rushing creek at bottom of the basin. We rested in the wildflowers and snacked. Bugs were few. We made a third climb after this where we came to a ridge with views of Devils Creek and Anacortes Crossing. The trail was brutally steep and annoyingly brushy as we made another long descent. Using cairns, we found our way across the creek at the bottom of the basin and up another 700’ before finding a solid camp near a water source where we filled up. Day 3 (Tuesday) 8 miles We woke to the sound of a rockslide at the bottom of the valley. We refilled our water at the creek, packed up, and moved on. Up another 300 feet, we met the trail leading to Anacortes Crossing on the right. Our trail veered a left. Here we saw a very intact fossil about 3 inches wide. We made our way across a relatively flat trail, through many wildflowers and berries, toward Devil’s Pass. At the pass, we enjoyed 360 degree views of peaks and valleys. We stayed left at a wooden sign with markage for Devil’s Dome. Another relatively flat, enjoyable trail led us to a final climb to the dome. It was rocky and bumped up against steep cliffs to the north. The temperatures dropped as we neared the dome at 6982’. Arriving at the main camp atop the dome at the same time as another couple, in good hiker-spirit, we chose to share the space with ample flat ground for tents. We shared a meal, drink, and great conversation. Here, in the dark, we heard an avalanche on Jack Mountain that was quite amazing. Day 4 (Wednesday) 10 miles Waking to a flock of Ptarmigan, pecking their way through and around our campsite, we drank coffee and watched the sun rise against the Cascades. Some cloud cover prevented a full view of Jack and other peaks, but it added a special depth to the view that was beautiful and satisfying. Leaving here we immediately began a descent. The first lawn below the dome did not have a water source, which we needed by this time. The second lawn/meadow included a spring with plenty of water. We filled up here. Then, we began another brutal descent: from 6000ish’ to 1800’. This brush trail with diminishing views on a warm day tried our mental reserves and drained our water supply. We found two creeks running along the way to help and at one, we ate lunch. At Devil’s Junction, we ate a snack and began the 3.7 mile trek to Rainbow Camp. The trail along the lake and lovely bridge over Devils Creek outlet helped our waning resolve. At camp, we jumped off the dock into the cool waters of Ross Lake. A bath never felt so refreshing. A Youth Leadership group arrived with a lost dog, which we offered to hike out, as they were headed up trail. This dog, named Jax, recovered quickly from his night out in the wilderness and day of hiking with the group. We gave him food and water and a place in our sack to sleep. Day 5 (Thursday) 9 miles We left camp around 10am, dog in tow. It was a long hike out, as the trail pulls away from the lake, and becomes engulfed by forest. Hidden Hand Pass felt never-ending as we were exhausted and battered from the relentless travels of the past five days. We exited at East Bank Trailhead, where we had serendipitously arranged with our new friends from Devils Dome an exchange of vehicles. They picked up our truck at the Canyon Creek Trailhead, used it to get their car at the Ross Lake Trailhead, and then they drove our truck to our exit TH. We hooted and hollered at the finish line of the long journey and began our next mission: to find the owner of the lost dog, Jax. Post Note: After contacting the numbers on Jax’s tags, the USFS, the Marblemount Information Center, the North Cascades National Park, and the animal control agent in our hometown of Anacortes, we were unable to locate Jax’s owners. Finally, on Saturday, Jax’s mom called us reporting that she thought he was dead. She picked him up Saturday evening and they made their way back home to Tacoma. Total groups encountered on the loop: 13 Biggest problem on the hike: too-heavy of backpacks…I suggest bringing as many dehydrated foods as possible Biggest joy on the hike: gaining resolve, mental fortitude, patience, and good-will alongside my husband and children. Lessons: pack light tape rubs completely as they arrive do NOT wear any brand new items of clothing be wary of rock slides near scree and rock fields