Suiattle River Trail, Image Lake via Miners Ridge & Milk Creek — Friday, Aug. 23, 2019

*Milk Creek Trail is closed!* The bridge over the Suiattle River is out and the trail hasn't been tended in years. My planned loop up the Suiattle, S on the PCT, up to Mica Lake, & out Milk Creek was canned in the TH parking lot when helpful hikers fed me this info. Recent WTA reports don't say this and a new Ranger didn't know, either. Did my homework, still got blindsided! Then my dog rolled in poop. Comically bad start to a hike.

Fortunately, my Plan B hike to Image Lake and back worked great! Up Suiattle Tr. I went to the camp at the suspension bridge just shy of the intersection w/ the PCT. Rounding the Lake & back from there would have been too far. The next marked camp was past the intersection w/ Trail 785 but closer to it than I was, so I went for it. Mercifully, there's a camp (w/ a stream and pit toilet, no less!) just shy of Tr. 785!  (How is that not marked on maps?) We called it "9-mile camp". Met some cool people there, and they helped my dog feel at home. 9.4mi from the TH, we all slept like champs.

Day 2, I ditched my tent, pads, & sleeping bag to travel light & fast for what ended up being a 14.4mi loop. Up switchback ridden Tr. 785, right for a traverse on Tr. 795, left up thru huckleberries to Lady Camp & lunch. High alpine meadows filled w/ blueberries, marmots, birds, and views. Image Lake was almost a let down after all that beauty! Ran into trail buddies from 9-mi Camp and we ventured over to the fire watchtower to meet its sole resident, Russ! Chatting away, I almost missed my cue to head out in time to get back before sunset. My pup & I bombed down the mountain w/ 30min to spare. 9-mi Camp is on the PCT and there were tons of Mexico to Canada hikers giddy to finish their journey! Slept like a champ again.

Day 3, fully packed up again, made the 9.4mi trek out. Found a lovely beach camp along the shores of the Suiattle I hadn't noticed going in. Good trip!