Horseshoe Basin — Wednesday, Aug. 20, 1997

North Cascades > Pasayten

We arrived at Irongate trailhead to find a parking lot filled with enough horse trailers to move a small cavalry regiment. The trail, wide enough for chariots, was easy walking up to Sunny Pass. Actual distance seemed shorter than reported in various guides. There were several large horse encampments in the basin. Fortunately, the area is large enough for dispersed camping and there are numerous established sites. Loudon Lake still contains a fair amount of water. There was a very large herd of domestic sheep pastured in the valley below Armstrong Mtn and Arnold Peak.