Bridge Creek - McAlester Pass to Stehekin, McAlester Trail & Stiletto Peak — Wednesday, Jul. 21, 2010

We began at Bridge Creek Trail Head, on Hwy 20. Easy .8 mi to intersection between PCT & Stiletto Spur Trail. We tried going Stiletto Spur, but trail markings were unclear and trail overgrown. We returned to 2.7 miles on the PCT, easy-grade, wide, well-maintained, and bridge construction workers, safely allowed passage. McAlester Creek Trail, 4.6 miles, was very pleasant, wooded hike, avoiding snow covered higher elevations. Easy, gradual grade until last 2 miles. Still, it was well-graded and easy with steeper elevation gain - 20 switchbacks in the last mile. Camped 2 nights at McAlester Lake and returned via Stiletto Spur Trail, a mile shorter, but no shorter in time. There were many biting mosquitoes, but fires were allowed, and smokey fires drive mosquitoes away. Hike up to South Pass and beyond toward Twisp River Road. Would have done a "thru-hike" had we been able to arrange transportation. Geologists, camped on Twisp River confirmed that the entire route was snow-free. The hill-side blankets of wild flowers were spectacular. During our lunch, on the trail between South Pass & Twisp River, a marmot let us know very clearly that she wanted us to move off her rock. Weather: bright, sunny & hot, Wednesday & Friday. Some clouds blocking some distant peaks from South Pass. McAlester Peak was quite impressive and close.