Lake Janus and Grizzly Peak — Tuesday, Aug. 31, 1999

Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East

Wow!! A long day, but the bugs are dead! Well, Tuesday’s cold freeze and snow did them in at Lake Janus anyhow. There I was at 11:00am by the lake and not a bug in sight. Lots of tedious blowdown crossings to deal with from Union Gap to Lake Janus, and then even more heading up the steep climb to the ridge past Lake Janus. I spent a good deal of my time on all fours crawling / bellying under many of them. The poor PCT needs some love and care north of Union Gap, anyhow…. A fast 1 ¼ hours to Lake Janus was followed by many great photographs of the pretty lake. Jove Peak is a temptation to try going up from around here too, it’s so pretty. A long, quiet trek up to the 5300’ ridge crossing followed. Then the fun began as for the next 3 miles or so the PCT switches back and forth from Chelan County to Snohomish County on the crest, with the views out of this world!! Looking east toward the Little Wenatchee River valley, Mount David, and tons of other dry peaks. North was dominant with Glacier Peak and everything else imaginable. South brought out Jove Peak, the Chiwakim Mountain range, Mount Stuart, Mount Daniel, Mount Hinman, etc…. This is what ""crest"" hiking is all about! At about 8-9 miles from the trailhead I sat in just melted out meadows at Grizzly Peak viewing all of the Glacier Peak Wilderness to the north while eating sandwiches, M&Ms, and tons of other stuff between more photographs. Truly this has to be one of the most beautiful scenic spots on the PCT in the immediate area north of Stevens Pass – wow! A long retracing of those 8-9 miles back to the rig had be tired and hungry by 7:00pm. More Zeke’s burger and fries, and this time I got the peanut butter milk shake too, as I more than earned it! Alan L. Bauer 9/1/199