Weekend overnight backpack to Devils Creek camp along the Ross Lake East Bank trail. As I had not backpacked this year, I was hoping for a camp 6-8 miles along the trail but the only walkup permit available was for Devils Creek which is 12 miles from the TH. More than I wanted but took the last spot when I went up to the Wilderness Info Center the day prior. I arrived at the East Bank parking area around 8:40am on Saturday and the large parking lot was already filling up. I took one of the last couple spots along the main row of the parking lot. I think the lot is wide enough that it probably fills up with 2 rows during peak times but not sure.
After some final pack organization and a quick stop at the bathroom, I headed out on the trail downhill towards Ross Creek and across the bridge to the East Bank trail. After about 3 miles of forest trail I arrived at the Hidden Hand camp junction. There is a lake view from Hidden Hand which would make a good turnaround for a day hike. I veered right and headed up the hill to Hidden Hand Pass. After about a mile and half, the climb through the forest was over and I descended gradually towards Roland Creek. As others have stated, this is very much a forest hike. Even though the lake is just a couple hundred yards (or less) away, glimpses of the water are few and far between. At times the trail narrows and there is low brush but nothing major and almost all below the knee. Around 6.5 miles I crossed Roland on a strategically placed log/plank which required a little focus on balance with the heavy load. I believe I put up a show for a larger group of hikers at this spot on the way back as they waited patiently for me to attempt the slowest ever crossing of this creek - all good natured fun and we shared some laughs.
Next crossing is at May Creek which has a large log high above the fast flowing stream, thankfully with a very secure handrail. It was here that I met a great couple of thru-hikers, Sunrise and Paul, who were hiking the PNT from West to East. After a quick chat, I let them cross as I knew they would be moving much faster…however, it would not be out last encounter! As the trail progressed I eventually reached Rainbow Point and the lake!! Sunrise and Paul had stopped for lunch so I waved as I went by after a brief rest and snack to admire the blue water. After Rainbow Point the trail drops to the lake and the views are spectacular for the next 2-3 miles. Continuing to move forward, I crossed the impressive bridge at Devil's Creek and about a mile or so later arrived at camp.
As primarily a day hiker, I have to admit to being pretty beat. The last couple of miles were a bit of a struggle and I was looking forward to finally dropping the pack for the night and enjoying a few minutes to sit and cool off. I had just selected my camp spot and a crash of thunder came out of nowhere. I looked up to see the dark clouds moving in. I had barely put my pack down before the rain started - so much for a rest but I think that was the quickest I have ever set up my tent! While I was setting up, my PNT friends came in right behind me - they were going to camp further up on the mountain but the storm had changed. They set up in a spot near me and it was nice to have some friendly company for the evening. It felt good to stretch out for an hour or so as the storm moved through and eventually the rain stopped.
Shortly after, I discovered what could have been a catastrophic gear failure - after enjoying a beer, I went to source my water, a simple process with my Sawyer only to find that nothing would flow through the filter. I asked my PNT neighbors if they had any ideas and, of course, they knew exactly what had happened. I had not backflushed my filter since it was last used several months ago and it had basically clogged up. Apparently, they need to be used once in a while, even in the winter months you are supposed to soak them and backflush - a very silly, and potentially dangerous, mistake on my part. My trail friends quickly helped me unclog the filter - they had the plunger, and let me use their filter so I could get a good supply for the night and morning. I was very grateful for their help.
I started the return trip around 8:45 on Sunday after an OK night's sleep. The morning views of the lake were serene and I stopped to snap some pics and converse with a couple of kayakers before heading to Rainbow Point and back into the forest. The temperature warmed quickly as I worked my way back to the trailhead. The last couple of miles were tougher than the day before as the weight of the pack and the extra miles took a toll. I returned to the blazing sunny 90 degree parking lot, drenched and drained!
I would definitely recommend this trail, especially if you can get out to Rainbow to hike the section down by the lake. The trail was quiet and although I did see a few fellow backpackers, I would often go for an hour or more without seeing anyone. I don't recall seeing any day hikers - just a couple of trail runners heading to Rainbow. I would consider hiking the full length of this trail if I could arrange to take the water taxi back!
According to Garmin, I logged 12.2 miles going out and 11.75 coming back - the difference being time walking around the camp looking for a spot and a side trail to check out a camp on the way out. Elevation gain was 1600' for each leg for 3200' in total for the trip (not sure where WTA listing gets 800'). My hiking time each day was 5 hours and 4 minutes, not counting breaks.
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