East Bank Ross Lake — Thursday, Apr. 18, 2013

North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20

Wanting a long hike during this early Spring weather, I opted for the East Bank Trail on Ross Lake. I arrived at the trailhead at 12: 30 on Thursday afternoon, the 18th. I encountered a day-hiker coming out at about 1/4 mile and he was the only other person I saw on my hike. The weather was cloudy with rain in the forecast, and a possibility of snow remaining at Hidden Hand Pass. I packed accordingly, but I was prepared to scamper out if it started pouring. Shockingly, it rained almost everywhere else in western Washington except where I was - just a few light sprinkles for the next two days. Once on the trail, I found it a mostly forested hike, with some nice views of Ruby Mountain, which climbed steadily towards a nondescript, snow-free Hidden Hand Pass. (Someone has cleared the trail to the top of the pass.) Then I followed the long steady drop to Roland Creek camp on Ross Lake. The forest has some beautiful variety, mixing the large firs with maple and alder groves. The blowdowns are similarly varied - I counted 23 trees across the trail between the pass and Roland Creek. Most were smallish and easily crossed, but several were massive Doug firs, with one blocking any stock access just past the pass. I cleared about ten more small trees off the trail as I went along. I continued on along the lake, enjoying the misty mountain views, and reached Devil's Camps at about 6:30 p.m, 12.5 miles from the car. The camps were in good shape, with easy access to water in a nearby stream. All along the route water is a non-issue, with step-across and hop-across creeks constantly crossing the path. The next morning I took a side trip, about 2.5 miles up the Devil's Ridge Trail; it climbed steadily, but I never encountered snow. I stopped at a southerly view, with clouds swirling around the snowy mountains, headed back down to camp, packed up, and decided to hike out. The mosquitos were biting in the creek bottoms, but largely absent elsewhere. I did get a tick bite, probably from scampering under or around the blowdowns, so watch out for those nasty buggers. My first tick bite on the wet side... After an 18 mile day, and 30 miles total, I was wiped and ready to trade the blessings of wilderness for the benefits of civilization - and a blackberry shake in Concrete. I recommend the hike, particularly at this season, and I would have liked to have hiked all the way to the Hozomeen valley. I'd also like to appreciate the trail in clearer conditions, or during the summer months. Until next time...