Independence and North Lakes — Thursday, Jun. 15, 2000

North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway

After suffering all spring through the infernal hell of car camping due to a knee injury, my family decided to go for a very short (3/4) mile backpack to Independence Lake. The fs road off the Mountain Loop highway was in great shape except for one huge drivable hole where there could be a creek crossing. About 1/2 mile from the trailhead we encountered three rock slides, the first two passable but the third, not. The rest of the road was snowcovered anyway. Not wanting to risk further injury to vital hiking limbs, we decided to park the car and hike down the road we just drove up. The view from the road over to the big four ice caves and peaks was awesome. The river valley and forests were laid out at our feet. Although we never even got to a trail, our unconventional hiking paid off big time: around 7:30 pm a medium size black bear barrelled up the mountainside, crossing the road in about 40 feet in front of us. Now I know why they don't recommend running when you see a bear!