Excellent nice long infinity loop backpack!
Day 1: Quartz Creek TH (road is good - if you have a sedan, take the little rocky section just before the Blanca Lake TH slow, but it's fine). Took Quartz Creek up to Curry Gap and Bald Eagle Trail. Got water at Curry Gap - there actually were a few good streams after Curry Gap, but we were not expecting any. The chill grade was so pleasant and the trail was in great condition! Misty moody PNW day still with some pretty views! Got to Dishpan Gap and did a little loop round Meander Meadows, which was showing off in all its glory. Still some wildlfowers and SO many blueberries (and some huckleberries!) along the whole trail. We also saw at least 20 marmots (and a few pikas) over the two days! Somehow no bears, which was baffling, because I would absolutely live here if I were a bear. One could get water at Meander Meadows, but we headed to Sally Ann to camp. The lake was perfect (and not even really cold) for a dip and there were at least a handful of good camping spots. The toilet, however, is getting quite full!
Day 2: We filled water at Pass Creek and then continued on the PCT until we turned off at West Cady Ridge. Bench Mark Mountain was beautiful! The trail up on the East side was thick at times, but going down on the West side was nice and clear. There were a few water spots before crossing the North Fork Skykomish, but we'd planned on enough water from Pass Creek back to the TH. In general the trail was pretty fluffy and it was less steep down than I'd expected. Lots of mushrooms popping up (even some yummy chanterelles we had for appetizers on Day 1!).
Day 1: 20.17 miles/5,817 ft gain
Day 2: 14.79 miles/2,552 ft gain
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