43

North Lake — Aug. 6, 2020

North Cascades > Methow/Sawtooth
2 photos
Kimlaree
100
  • Wildflowers blooming
  • Ripe berries
  • Hiked with a dog

7 people found this report helpful

 

This is a great hike! I wish I had pushed on a bit to check Out the abandoned mines off of a side trail but late start and the fact that this is my third hike in four days meant we just went to the lake and back. Over ten miles and saw not another soul the whole time. Tons of wildflowers. Some wild blueberries. Pretty much perfect. 

North Lake — Jul. 24, 2020

North Cascades > Methow/Sawtooth
jmb1
Beware of: bugs
  • Wildflowers blooming
  • Ripe berries
  • Hiked with kids
  • Hiked with a dog

1 person found this report helpful

 

Beautiful lake. Trail is in good shape, mosquitos were really bad, like 8 of 10 bad, bring a head net if you plan to camp. 

Unfortunately, a big group with 3 horses decided to skip past the obvious horse camp (the huge camp with the hitching post) and take up the entire meadow at the end by the waterfall. All 3 days, the horses were grazing closer to the lake than the required 200 feet (as the sign says).

When asked why they didn't stay at the horse camp, they said they didn't think there was a horse camp. 

North Lake — Jul. 11, 2020

North Cascades > Methow/Sawtooth
1 photo
brooksey
  • Wildflowers blooming

7 people found this report helpful

 

We were headed for twisp pass but changed our minds last minute and decided on north lake.  Excellent hike.  I agree with a previous report.  Strava measured 12.2 miles round trip.  The trail is really nice.   It’s not a difficult hike and offers so much !   The scenery changes over and over.  Everything about this hike was delightful.  
the road in-really good;the hike longish but not difficult   ; the trail excellent; the meadow and lake and mountains stunning    
I think the only thing that could be intimidating for some is the first stream crossing   Strap some water sandals on your backpack and you’ll be good    We took our boots off and it was cold and refreshing But doable barefoot.  Otherwise your boots will get wet.  !!!

North Lake — Jul. 7, 2019

North Cascades > Methow/Sawtooth
4 photos
Rolan
WTA Member
Outstanding Trip Reporter
100
  • Wildflowers blooming

20 people found this report helpful

 
This was my 4th hike into areas impacted by the 2018 fires.  The Gardner portion of the 2018 Crescent Mt fire was ignited by a lightning strike about  0.5 mile away from the trail and 1500ft above it.  With the prevailing winds, only the first 2 miles of the trail was heavily burned.  The upper part of the valley and North Lake were unaffected.
First, many thanks to the crew of folks that cut through all the downed trees - both the volunteers (see NWHiker.net) and the Backcountry Horsemen.  The few remaining logs over the trail, near the lake, are not a problem.
In the first mile, the intensity of the fire varied significantly and the effects are obvious.  In some areas, even the brush survived, while in others all that's left is ash and charcoal.  There are some flowers blooming, but they are sparse in this area.  On the plus side, the reforestation has begun.  In places, the new tree seedlings are so dense they look like grass.
About 1 mile in, the trail turns into the North Creek valley, and the widespread devastation is obvious.  Most of the trees were killed in the second mile of trail.  This near shadeless section will be a hot hike in summer for many years to come.  There are pockets of flowers blooming, fireweed, lupine, paintbrush, tiger lily, forget-me-nots, and yarrow to provide color to the black, brown, and grays.
Between 2 and 2.5 miles, the trail was affected by spot fires, but it's mostly a walk in the forest.
The camps at the North Creek crossing/ford are both usable.  The informal log crossing upstream from the ford is underwater, but the rock hop at the ford is usable.
The mosquitos get progressively worse as we hiked up the valley.  Between the Cedar Creek Trail junction and the meadow crossing above the pond, they were the worst.  Things got a little better after that, bug-wise.
The fishing was good and a slight breeze kept it cool, while reducing the bothersome mosquitos.  While we ate lunch and fished, two marmots were watching us from a rock about 100ft away.
Now for an editorial comment...
This trip highlighted what one should not see in a wilderness setting.  At the camp on the east side of the lake, a large lean-to had been constructed a few years ago, and now people were putting fresh cut boughs on it.  So, we took it down as much as we could, as part of my volunteer job for USFS.
What was even more disturbing was found at the campsite by the tarn & waterfall.  A 4ft tall tepee and 3ft tall lean-to had been constructed by kids, using fresh cut branches and each had a small fire pit inside.  While cute, and a useful skill for an emergency, the Wilderness Area is not the place to practice this. Obviously, the "Leave No Trace" notice on the trailhead sign did not register with the parents nor did the potential for a fine for all the wilderness violations.  Dismantling these took a while.  We had to disperse all the branches in a way that would look natural as they dried out and turned brown, without trampling too much of the meadow area around the camp.  We also had to restore the fire pits to look more natural.
  

North Lake — Jul. 7, 2018

North Cascades > Methow/Sawtooth
3 photos
hifiandrew
WTA Member
20
  • Wildflowers blooming

9 people found this report helpful

 

This hike was a good workout. Not a thigh-burner but you feel it when done. I disagree with the 10 mile round trip, by time I got to the other end of the lake where the waterfall is, my Garmin had me at 6 miles. 12.2 miles round trip back to the car. It's a steady climb all the way. Trail very rocky in parts, recommend good boots. As noted, bridge is out at about 3.2 miles from the trailhead. There's a flat spot to the right that's easy to ford for any adult, but you'll get wet. I just brought along my flip flops, put them on to cross then boots back on when done. Good way to cool off hot feet. Otherwise this trail is perfectly passable but has most all fun obstacles hikers love, few blow downs, few snow patches right before the lake, no big deal. It's wooded most of the way so the payoff is really only at the end with the lake. Very beautiful. Trail even on Saturday not very busy, always a plus.. Since it 4+ hours from Seattle, too far for the day hike crowds. Also pro tip, the campgrounds up Twisp river road are first come, first serve and great locations. Also sparsely used for a summer in the PNW. I guess too far from Seattle again. Nobody wants to chance a long drive and it being full so.campgrounds were pretty empty. Great spot for this hike and others in the area.