We won the lottery for early permits in March so we’re lucky to spend 6 nights and 7 days hiking counter-clockwise around Ross Lake, starting at the Dam and ending at East Bank trailhead. Amazing trip - highly recommend. The trails were in great shape except between Stillwell and Perry Creek on the Little Beaver Creek trail. Amazing swimming spots around Ross Lake and at Hozomeen Lake. Details for each day/section are below!
Day 1
Ross Lake Dam to Big Beaver Boat camp
Very few bugs
No obstacles on trail
Huckleberries
Full camp (bring earplugs)
Good toilets with tp and Hand San
Fantastic swimming
Found first chanterelle of the season
Day 2 - Big beaver to beaver pass
Not too many bugs in morning
Stopped at 39 mile for lunch by the creek - 3hours from big beaver
Bugs nuisance in some areas on the trail
Black flies bad from Luna camp to beaver pass
Two sites at Beaver pass - both taken (we were in the smaller site and a group of six in the group site)
Easy water access next to group site
Wasps at the camp turnoff - be careful!
Ok trees for hanging food but bear can would be easier
Day 3 - beaver pass to Perry creek
Black flies get slightly better after switchbacks
Follow the blue flags and cairns around redoubt creek to keep the trail - a lot of washouts and trees down
Lovely river access at 5.2 miles from beaver pass for lunch
Trail overgrown with ferns and foliage in a handful of sections
111 trees causing obstacles on trail from beaver pass to perry creek
Perry creek shelter mosquitoes a nuisance
Day 4 - perry creek to lake hozomeen
Forded the creek leaving Perry but later saw a log bridge just north of the trail
Easy walking after Perry creek for a couple miles
Big climb up then down into little beaver (climb is worth it for the view of jack mountain)
Great swimming off the dock at little beaver
Ross Lake water taxi booked in advance took about 15-20 minutes to go from Little Beaver to Hozomeen
Very buggy at hozomeen camp and everything looked closed.
No campers in sight
Hike from Hozomeen boat dock to hozomeen lake just a little buggy.
No other campers at Hozomeen lake
Group site is the best location. Fire pit and bear wire (a little low but usable)
Absolutely gorgeous lake with easy access for swimming
Heard elk bugle a few times across the lake and saw several fish jumping. Magical site- absolutely on my list of places to come back to!
Day 5 - hozomeen lake to lightning creek boat camp
Some bugs on trail
Saw one party at willow lake which has no easy Lake access
Devils club on trail - wear pants!
Lightening creek trail - Beautiful stream with good water access at several points
Bridge past nightmare camp was closed but passable
Lunched at deer lick camp - nice sites
Big climb around desolation peak then drop into camp
Lightening creek camp full as we got the last site arriving at 5pm
Ok swimming
Gorgeous views from Dock at sunset!
Day 6 - lightening creek to ruby pasture
Beautiful trail along the water
No to very few bugs
Lunch at Rainbow point just past halfway excellent spot for picnic tables and water access (and swimming!)
Gentle but persistent climb to the saddle
before dropping into Ruby pasture camp - only one site and water was .25 miles down the trail
Day 7 - Ruby pasture to east bank trailhead
Went to end of trail past hidden hand for a quick morning swim
Easy 3 mile hike out to the East bank trailhead
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