East Bank Ross Lake — Sunday, Aug. 9, 2015

North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20

From August 9th - August 15th Boy Scout Troop 282 paddled and hiked on and around Ross Lake. Most of the time we were paddling and it was one of the best outdoor adventure I have ever been on. There was lightening, wind, rain, 90+ degree weather and lots of fun. Our group hiked a ways up Big Beaver Creek from the Big Beaver Camp Ground and we also hiked from Lightening Creek Camp Ground to above the Ponderosa Camp Ground. Trail conditions were excellent. You will need to either paddle from Colonial Creek Camp Ground to the Ross lake Dam on Diablo Lake where you call for a portage around the Dam at $20-$30 per boat per way or you take the Ross Lake Resort Ferry and you'll need to check with them on cost. Check in at the Marblemount Ranger station to get your camping permits. Once on Ross Lake paddle to your site and hike from there or again the Ross Lake Resort will ferry you to your trail head of choice. The views are spectacular and with only one way onto the lake from the U.S. and only one way from a very remote spot in Canada the lake is relatively low traveled, if there was a boat launch in the U.S. this would be overly crowded I'm sure it's a spectacular destination. Our week included camping at 5 different camp sites as we traveled into Canada and back for a total paddle of 55+ miles. Special features -Definitely take the river up Devils canyon to the waterfall. -Jump off the rocks north of Ponderosa. -Check out the waterfalls on the West side of the lake. -Diablo Lake is hands down the most beautiful water I have ever seen, the turquoise color I was told is from minerals picked up on the way down from the glacier that feeds the lake is called Glacial Milk.

More Information on this Trip Report

• http://www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/upload/rosslake_6-08.pdf