Part of the old trail over Washington Pass before the highway. Surprisingly no reports here yet. It's in Fred T. Darvill's "North Cascades Highway Guide" from 1973 and also on the National Geographic USGS discs.

Park outside the gate across the Washington Pass overlook road. Walk .2 mile toward the overlook and look for trail on left near culvert. Loop through the trees to the north side of the meadow where the trail becomes more distinct.

This trail was once well used judging by the deep trough in some places. The trail skirts the north side of the meadow just in the trees heading west parallel the highway. Beautiful views of surrounding peaks from here- Liberty Bell is particularly impressive. Many small creeks cross the trail through this area.

I went about 4 miles total including wanderings so probably 1.5 miles each way of trail. Combine this one with a walk to the overlook [the gate is almost always locked]. This is in the North Cascades Highway Scenic Area so not affected by the shutdown.

Passed by this overlook sometime after 5pm. The road to the overlook was gated. This added half a mile each way, but the views were worth it!