Milk Creek — Sunday, Jul. 23, 2000

North Cascades > Mountain Loop Highway

First 3 miles of the trail was well maintained and fairly easy walking. About .75 miles from the trailhead we had to ford a creek or cross on a nearby tree. The tree looks small and scary, but was easer than crossing the slippery rocks as one member of our party discovered. At about 2.5 miles we entered a nice section of old growth forest and the lower end of the upper milk creek drainage. We camped at the Creek about 3.3 miles in. The bridge had a sign saying it was under repair. Another good camp was available just .25 miles up the trail. We hit a short overgrown stretch of trail right before the camp that was wet, muddy, and buggy. The upper part of the drainage from 3.75 miles until about 5.5 miles was heavily overgrown. In a steady drizzle this was miserable hiking. Saw alot of bear sign, but no bears. At the Junction with the PCT we headed south toward Mica Lake 9 miles in. The snow level was solid at 5,000 feet and the lake was 3/4 frozen. The looks like snow will be on the trail well into August this year. We camped just off the trail at the snow line in a tiny spot, defenitely not a camp. Althrough our trip was wet and the views fogged in, I would recommend this hike in late August after it dries out and the vegitation is beaten down.