Cady Pass — Friday, Sep. 4, 1998

North Cascades > Pasayten

i went on a hike in search of a old mine that was told to be at the end of cady pass by some old timers paning fer gold along the road down to the trailhead there were lots of claims and even a camp less then a 1/4 mile from our destination we park the truck and got out did our stretch routines and what not and from the trailhead across the bridge 3 miles down that road/trail is chancelor a old ghost town with 2-4 cabins left in decent shape but back to cady pass the 1st 2 miles was great hiking the trail wonderful we estimate 13 miles to the bottem end of this trail the only real water we found was controled somwhat on the elbow of the trails in the 3 mile mark this is a tree caddywampus ha ha if ya will slanted but a little duck and we went on our way about 1/2 the 7 mile mark the scernery was incredible by this time we have saw 6-9 different birds from eagles to hawks to falcons and grouse 7 different butterfly's marrmounts and assorted rabbits at the top of the mountain the colors and the sweeping valley are breath taking a great spot to take a break and rest from this point it was 1/2 we figured we looked aroung and found TRACES OF BEAR we didnt see any up there but there was plenty of bear sigh several hawks were wind serfing and o so peaceful as we went down the rest of the hill it was taking us into the sweeping valley where at the upper left hand side is a mine shaft and james caddy's house which still stands up with antiques and such stuff left behind the trail is hairy last2 miles with lots of brush towards the trail and 2 spots going down have lots of rocks on the trail,lots of cobwebs and other limbs gave evidence that no one has bbeen on this trail in a long time when we got to the bottem of the canyon and were welcomed by a stream and a uge mountains of clay orange dirt which told us we found the mine old man cady's house was there and we went into it to look at some remarkable history but plese beware this is bear country !!! we found scratches of bear maerks over 6 feet tall on the doors and the floor and walls with holes from bears trying to chase the rats and eat them lots of rats droppings and claws marks all over the walls and floors deer sign everywhere the scenery was ust aS ou national anthem says spacious skies and breathing views water semi/good but beware of lead from miners gold digging across the water from the 2 storie 4 bedroom house with wood stove still there and we guessed they had a generator cause he had power from the electric hookup's and light fixtures but across the water from the house was the mine very cold and it was 85-90 that day .. alot of old mining equipment was left and lots of cool peices of history all about a very fun but tiring hike take lots of breaks id say 26 mile round trip and bring protection from BEARS