Mesatchee Creek, Dewey Lake, Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) - Chinook Pass to Snoqualmie Pass, Sheep Lake to Sourdough Gap & Bear Gap — Saturday, Jul. 12, 2025

Was trying to think through an interesting loop near Chinook Pass and finally landed on this 21.5mi 4200ft gain one.

Starting at Mesatchee Creek Trailhead > we went up Dewey Lake Trail > joined the PCT to Chinook Pass > continued on the PCT across 410 > up-and-over Sourdough Gap > down Bear Gap Trailhead road > briefly scuttle across 410 and back to Mesatchee Creek.

I'd definitely recommend this loop as it just had a bit of everything. Maybe next time make it a little longer via American Ridge. Anyone ever do a similar, longer loop?

Quick notes below:

Dewey Lake Trail

• Some reports aren't too optimistic on this one, but I found it mostly easy going
• There definitely are a lot of blowdowns between wilderness boundary and ~1 mile shy of the PCT
• But I never found any to be all that heinous
• Ford or log shuffle required at American River
• Plenty of water as of now

PCT, Dewey Lake to Bear Gap

• So amazingly cruisy and pleasant
• You could do this loop starting from the trailhead here...but it was a madhouse today
• After Sheep Lake is completely dry until hitting the road down from Bear Gap 

Bear Gap back to Mesatchee

• It's a bit of stretch to connect these, but my new years resolution was no out-and-backs and I'll be damned if I break that
• Good trail down from Bear Gap, and a pleasant road walk down
• The section on 410 isn't as enjoyable - but there's an unmarked dirt road ~1/4mi down after you join that shortcuts to the trailhead