Did a one night backpacking trip for 4th of July weekend. Just wanted to get out in the woods and test some gear. Got a permit for staying on the PCT in North Cascades.
Road to trailhead - Hwy 20 - smooth and easy, beautiful drive
Trail: This part of the PCT along bridge creek is pretty smooth. It starts right off Hwy 20 and slowly descends for miles along the creek. It is somewhat rolling but pretty flat. On the way out I think I picked up 200 ft of elevation gain and went down 1300 ft. The opposite on the way out. I stayed at the South Fork Camp about 5.5 miles down the trail. There were peak-a-boo views across the valley and farther down towards Lake Chelan but it is mostly a forest walk. There are some sections that are pretty brushy and over grown, but there was a summer trail crew with the national park that was working their way north and helping to clear it out. Really appreciate them! Since it is along the PCT I brought my dog and he did great the whole way. There are some water crossings to keep him cool but there were some long gaps with no water as well.
South Fork Camp: Once you exit the PCT towards Rainbow lake, you come to a junction. Left takes you to the horse camp, which was very nice with an elevated place for tents and a kitchen area, along with a bathroom way past the camp area. If you go right you get to the hiker camp, which is where the bear box is, and another pit toilet, along with a few more camp sites right along the creek. It is farther down the trail towards the creek than you think it is going to be. Overall nice campsite but nothing super special.
Wildflowers: Plenty of berry bushes and forest flowers blooming this time of year
Wildlife: There was a deer that ran right through our campground and stood about 20 ft away and watched us for about 5-10 minutes. And we saw a snake cross the trail. I don't know what kind.
Came out on Sunday. Total I measured 13.5 miles and 1750 elevation gain with a moving time of 5:45.
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