Independence and North Lakes — Saturday, Jul. 10, 1999

North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway

Two oldest kids and I headed to Coal Lake for a day of off-trail navigation and ridge climbing. Road to Coal Lake closed by rock slide 1/4 mile below lake trail head. Passable only on foot. Will require heavy equipment to move. Limited turn around and parking space. Some snow on road and around lake, about 4' of snow on ridge south of Coal Lake at 3850'.(I was trying out a new wrist altimeter.) Weather terrific-bugs ok.