We backpacked along the East Bank Trail on Ross Lake to Devil's Junction, then day-hiked up Bear Skull Mountain on the Devil's Dome Loop before backpacking out the third day.
The East Bank Trail is in as good a shape as ever, but the lake is currently closed to watercraft due to low lake levels. The exposed lakebed is also technically closed, however in most places, access to the water from the campsites is easy.
The trail up Bear Skull was completely snow-covered starting just below Dry Creek Pass (5800'). The snow was soft enough that we didn't need our microspikes and ice axes. The summit ridge is still heavily corniced with 8' of snow.
There are streams about every mile and incredible views of Jack Mountain from most of the trail. Considering the low snowpack, there may not be any water on this stretch of the trail by late summer.
The south face of Bear Skull is entirely visible from the trail, so an ascent route is easy to pick out on-the-spot.
Bear Skull Mtn from Devil's Jct: ~6000' elevation gain, 13 miles, 10 hours round-trip
See map linked below.
Comments
teagirl.k on Devils Dome Loop, East Bank Ross Lake, Devil's Ridge
Hey LostLemonHope, thanks for this helpful report! I'm wondering, the summit ridge you mention "still heavily corniced with 8' of snow": that's Bear Skull, not Devil's Dome ridge?
Now I'm thinking the full loop might be do-able this weekend - I had been assuming not, but it sounds like that snow has melted real fast. Hmmmm... food for thought :)
Posted by:
teagirl.k on May 15, 2019 04:02 PM
LostLemonhope on Devils Dome Loop, East Bank Ross Lake, Devil's Ridge
Hey teagirl, that was up at the top of Bear Skull with the cornices and tons of snow! I don't seem to have a picture of Devil's Dome, but the trail that way was almost entirely snow-covered. Expect patchy snow starting at 5000' up to full coverage at 6000' on south aspects. The snow is so consolidated that the whole loop is feasible, but don't expect to be able to find the trail! If we get a good freeze or the north aspects have stayed cold, spikes and an ice axe would definitely be advisable, but if the snow is as soft as it was last weekend, poles and gaiters will be all you need. Cheers!
Posted by:
LostLemonhope on May 16, 2019 08:28 AM
teagirl.k on Devils Dome Loop, East Bank Ross Lake, Devil's Ridge
thanks heaps. I think I'll do something else this weekend and give it a bit more time to melt, thanks for getting back to me!
Posted by:
teagirl.k on May 16, 2019 01:34 PM
Madisam on Devils Dome Loop, East Bank Ross Lake, Devil's Ridge
On the main page for Devils Dome, it says there are no dogs allowed. Did you have any trouble with your pup and the rangers?
Posted by:
Madisam on May 20, 2019 09:39 AM
LostLemonhope on Devils Dome Loop, East Bank Ross Lake, Devil's Ridge
Nope! Not sure why the main page says dogs aren't allowed. I'll ping someone at WTA to see if we can get that updated. The trail goes through the Ross Lake National Recreation Area and the Pasayten Wilderness (in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest), both of which allow dogs:
https://www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/pets.htm
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/okawen/recarea/?recid=79431
Posted by:
LostLemonhope on May 20, 2019 10:44 AM