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.