Round Lake — Tuesday, Oct. 5, 1999

North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway

I was the only vehicle in the trail head parking lot at 8 am on Saturday morning so I knew I would have solitude for the day. Lots of switchbacks up to Bingley Gap at 4400' but the trail was clear of all obstructions. Beyond the gap the trail is not maintained and there is quite a bit of blowdown, including some rather big ones. Don't be dsicouraged though as the views later on are worth it. At the trail to Round Lake I decided not to hike down. There was nobody there at mid day but decided to go on to Sunup Lake just another half mile along the ridge. Thanks to an earlier post I had no trouble finding the lake but it would be easy to miss so here again is the key. Follow the obvious trail up to the lake. About 100' up the trail peters out in a flat, rocky area. Look about 90 degrees to your right and up and you'll see where the trail picks up again. Despite the fact that Sunup is fairly exposed to sun, there was still a lot of snow there. I camped on one of the few snow free, flat spots. There was a wafer thin crust of ice on the lake at noon, so I thought it was going to be a cold one that night but it only got down to 30. Great views from Sunup. The cloudless skies put on a great star show that one rarely sees in these usually overcast parts. Be sure to check the weather reports before heading up this ridge. The trail on the ridge (beyond the gap) is often little more than a boot tread. There are some meadow crossings over steep slopes that would be treacherous with even a dusting of snow. Had the place to myself till about a mile or two from the trail head on the way out. I passed 3-4 dayhikers, all headed for Round Lake. Was glad I went on to Sunup.