We drove up the Icicle Creek road to the trailhead, all tread in good shape. The Jack Creek trail is also in fine condition for the 5+ miles. Here we took the path towards... oops, forgot the name of the creek... which goes for a short distance until it crosses Jack Creek. There is no bridge, but it's a pretty easy wade at this time of year. Actually we found a logjam that can be crossed slightly downstream. Just across the creek, if you go upstream a short distance, is an old abandoned trail (shown in the 1973 Greentrails map). This was probably a sheepherder trail. Tread disappears several times but try to get on the ridge towards Harding Mountain. Here you'll find good, obvious tread. At one spot we found a sign saying ""Stock Driveway"" with a U.S. sign. It's pretty rusty and hard to read. Our objective was Harding Mountain, but the trail traverses to a meadowy area at about 5200 or 5400'. We gave it up and climbed to the summit. Nice to find this route though! Jack Creek is well-maintained with only a few minor logs down. Harding Mt has plenty of logs down.

I was hoping for a epic overnight trip, I wanted to camp at Cradle Lake and return over Highchair and Bootjack Mts.. I, as usual arrived at the Jack Creek trailhead much later than I would have liked. I pushed off a little after one and made good time to the crossing of Jack Creek. I passed one man on the way with very little idea of where he was or where he was going. It is quite amazing the lack of planning most people use when in the mountains. The Jack Creek crossing was manageable but great care was needed. I first crossed with the Beagle and then returned for my pack. I had to laugh when I picked up my pack and the Beagle was already there. I was so focused on the crossing I didn't have a clue how he had crossed. I figured since he made it one way he should be able to make again. What a trooper! watching him tempt the rapids with those little legs made the whole trip worthwhile. I rebooted and was off, unlucky for me the trail crosses Meadow Creek contrary to my map. This crossing was deeper and much swifter so I again carried the Beagle to the other side. I found the Cradle Lake trail without any problems. Since I had got such a late start, all day I was planning on camping here. I had good legs today and enough time to make the 20000ft climb to Cradle Lake. The trail was in great shape and easy to follow. I passed a junction at 5400ft that connects with the Blackjack Ridge trail and another junction at 5900ft which must go to Highchair mt. Both these trails were not on my map either. I made it to camp at 6:20 and enjoyed some very nice views. Later I scrambled up Pt 6623 and was rewarded with a beautiful sunset behind The Cradle. The moon was out and shining bright until it was obscured by rain clouds. I got a slight drizzle to help put me to sleep. I abandoned any other climbing due to lack of time. I returned to the truck in a little less than 4 hours.

Starting at the Jack Creek trailhead (2800'), nestled a few hundred yards behind the Rock Island Campground, we stayed on the Jack Creek trail (1558) at the first junction for a gentle and very dusty 3 miles until we hit the second juction for Jack Ridge trail (1557) which leads to Trout Lake. We took a left and started to ascend through very dense brush up endless switchbacks until we finally came to the top of Jack Ridge (5710'), 2 miles later and half way to the lake. Views of Cashmere Mountain were spectacular, and there was plenty of bear grass, lupine, paintbrush, and tiger lilies to feast the eyes and cameras on. We continued our loop as we descended down to Trout Lake. At the lake we decided against our previous hope for a snooze when we encountered a plethora of mosquitoes. We followed the signs for the Trout Creek trail (or trail 1555) which looped us back through many clearcuts and several way-too-long switchbacks for 4.5 miles until we were again back at the first junction. A short retrace along Jack Creek in the dust and horse dung put us back from our 12.2 mile loop-hike to the rig in just a little over 7 hours.

I had hoped for Cradle Lake, but I spent an extra hour trying to find the Jack Creek trail. My old green trails map showed it near Chatter Creek Campground. I finally found the trail near Rock Island campground. With the wasted time and miles I decided to go to Trout Lake instead. The Trout Lake trail branches off the Jack Creek trail and climbs to 4500 feet and does a very long traverse high over Trout creek. The views of the logged area are depressing. The trail is much longer than expected (7-8 miles). Trout Lake is not much to look at very reedy and shallow. After a short break I climbed to the saddle above Trout Lake via Jack Ridge trail. Near the saddle there is a trail that branches to the south. It climbs to Point 6280. The trail is been recently brushed and is very easy to follow. The trail goes through a small recent burn and summits at a remnant of an old fire lookout. I returned to the Jack Ridge trail and dropped to the Jack Creek trail and followed that out. All trails in great shape with some blow overs and the bugs were very tolerable.

I was hoping for Cradle Lake today, but my map showed the trail starting accross from Chatter Creek Campground. So after wasting an hour to find that the trail leaves from near the Rock Island Campground. The Trout Creek trail climbs to near 4500ft and does a very long traverse high over Trout Creek. The views of the logging really detract from this route. Trout Lake itself isn't much better shallow and very reedy. After a few minutes at the lake I decided to climb to the saddle above the lake via Jack Ridge trail. Near 5800ft there is a side trail that I followed to point 6280 where there is remains of an old Fire lookout tower. Great views of Cashmere Mt., Eightmile Mt, and some glimpses of Stuart Mt. I returned to the Jack ridge trail and dropped to the Jack Creek trail and followed it out. All trails in good shape with some minor blowdowns and the bugs weren't bad either.