Esmeralda Basin (Esmerelda), Lake Ann — Saturday, Sep. 20, 2008

Snoqualmie Region > Salmon La Sac/Teanaway

We opted to do our first overnighter at Esmeralda after waking up and seeing nothing but wet, wet, and wetter before leaving the house. Original plan was Goat Flats. We thought Eastern Washington would be better. A friend had been there in the last month or so, when WWA was socked in with soaking wetness. We've been planning an overnighter for awhile, and dagnabbit, we were gonna do it. We got to the trailhead and started up with our big packs at 11:45. The trail is wide and generally easy to the 5900ft junction with the Lake Ann trail. Beware the numerous horse ploppings (why do we have to pack out everything, but horses can poo at will? Horse bags for all!) We opted to go up to the pass at 6400ft. We made it to the pass on the way to Lake Ann and set up camp around 3:45. Then it started to rain. It didn't stop until after midnight. Two hikers and one big dog cramped in a tent all night because the rain pounded, the wind howled (40mph), and the tent got soaked. No one really slept. We left at 6:45am and ate breakfast at the car. It's a nice trail, except for the poooooo everywhere, but if you go for an overnighter don't go to the pass; stay down in the valley just below the pass. Less windy. Summer is definately over and we were a week late.