McGregor Mountain — Monday, Sep. 6, 2010

Central Cascades > Entiat Mountains/Lake Chelan

Everyone says this hike is "brutal." It's not! It may be long and climb a lot, but the grade is very consistent and not all that steep. The trail is in great shape, too - very few rocks or even roots. It is hard to get to - you either have to backpack to it, make special arrangements to get there or be in good enough shape to make quick work of it once you can take the shuttle bus up there. The upper portions of the mountain, though, are so worth it. From subalpine forest to apline larches and views unlike anything you'll get almost anywhere else - it's an incredibly rewarding hike. We saw a bear with two cubs and a deer with a yearling, in addition to the usual pikas and marmots and occasional eagle. The seasons change early up here - we got lightly snowed on above 7,500 feet, but so far as I know, the trail is still very much open and snow-free. Another plus - no bugs, except right in the vicinity of Coon Lake. All around, one of my favorite hikes in the state.