The ridge south of Norse Peak is in high open country, traversing across steep slopes with unobstructed views for many miles. We did a 9-mile loop, starting near the Crystal Mountain parking lot (4820’), climbing up to the Pacific Crest Trail (6100’) via Bullion Basin, north to Scout Pass (6560’), then back south through Bullion Pass (6140’), Blue Bell Pass (6360’), the Crown Point traverse, and Bear Gap (5900’), finally dropping off the PCT back to the car. You can drive the dirt road that leaves main road in section 13; park at the first or second switchback depending on whether you want to climb extra at beginning or end of hike. The road is used actively by people staying at the chalets above the ski lift in section 37. The only part of the trail all day that was heavily eroded by horses was the steep portions in Bullion Basin. The basin meadow was green and untrampled. Dust was reported previously but not a problem today, probably due to the morning dampness still on the ground. The Bullion Basin trail is probably mud in the rain. Once on the PCT there were no problems. This Tuesday we saw only two small parties—one was riding mountain bikes! There were very few flies and berries as well, both only near the trailhead. The flower color was sparse although bushes were starting to turn red. We heard some elk bugling on the west side of Scout pass and saw a marmot near Pickhandle Basin, but the highlight was goats at Scout Pass. During lunch, 13 came running across the pass from north to south and traversed below us on the way to the ridge separating Cement Basin and Lake Basin. About 10 minutes later we noticed a congregation of 48 goats on that ridge! Obviously, some had come from other directions. They were relaxing along the ridge. In case you’re wondering, you cannot see Basin Lake from Scout Pass; the bowl below the pass is open but then drops quickly to the lake. From the pass you can see the Mt. Stuart range. Norse Peak blocks most of the view north. It wouldn’t be hard to walk up Norse Peak for more views if you’ve got an extra 30-45? minutes (each way). Back at Bullion Pass, another report mentions a way trail descending the east side. We saw that it casually traverses over towards Cement Basin instead of dropping quickly to the main trail below the pass. Yet another report talks about unsafe gulley crossings on that Cement Basin trail. The gulleys start at the top of the ridge--Blue Bell Pass--and are V-shaped gouges filled with loose rock. You have a good view of Mt. Adams from Crown Point; it’s visible in spots from the PCT north of Bullion Pass as well. We might have seen Mt. St. Helens from Crown Point but it’s not very prominent. You then descend to Pickhandle Gap, which looks razor thin from the north. Don’t worry, it’s safe. All these passes/gaps have good views except for Bear Gap. Of course, Mt. Rainier dominated the skyline. The PCT trail is incorrectly mapped in my TOPO! software v4.5. At Pickhandle Ridge, it does not descend to a mine before switchbacking to Bear Gap. Instead, the PCT contours around the ridge, dropping slowly to the gap. The red trail from Bear Gap to the mine is actually the trail descending into the valley. Note that the last 1/4 mile stretch of “trail”, called the Silver Creek trail in other reports (and signed that way where you cross the ski lift), is actually an old road grade between the real dirt road and the ski lift. There are signs along the real road indicating the trails.