Sauk Mountain — Thursday, Jun. 23, 2016

North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20

Set out before noon yesterday. Haven't done much exploring off of Highway 20 so I thought today would be a perfect day to start. Chose Sauk Mountain on a whim, pulled on the hiking boots and pointed the car South for a half an hour, then east for a half an hour. (Coming from Bellingham.) The road was easy to find, but very, very rough. Low clearance Subaru made it fine up the hill, but there were a few gullies I was sure I was about to high center on. Take it slow. The trail head was empty but for 1 other vehicle. Pouring down rain as I set out, knew I was on the right trail because of the cute A-frame outhouse. Hiked through drooping, wet forest for a moment and then the trail started it's switchback. It was a cold and rainy pacific northwet day. But soon, the clouds started to shift, and I was treated to glimpses of the Skagit and Baker rivers. This seriously threw me for loop, and I was whooping with excitement. About halfway up the trail, the sun came out in full force, I took all three layers off and was hiking in a sports bra the rest of the way up. Passed a girl (on her phone) and her dog. Important to note that I had service all the way up the mountain, Verizon Wireless and those wide open valleys! I reached the end of the switchbacks and it opened up to a nice clearing. Looked like a great place to spend the night. Snowfields covered the rest of the trail and it was difficult to find my way back after I had traversed a ways. Don't know if they were bear or just really big dog paw prints in the snow, something to be aware of. I started down the trail towards Sauk Lake when I heard a low grumble. Started singing to myself and turned around. A hoary marmot crossed my path on the way down. Lots of little birds, pine sparrows, 1 red-breasted sap sucker! Summer color just breaking through. Lots of mini lupine, paintbrush, geraniums.Got back to the car, started my way downwards and my radiator got a little too hot. Nothing some water couldn't fix. Drove home. A perfect, weird weather day. Can't wait to do more exploring off of Highway 20.