East Bank Ross Lake — Sunday, Jul. 2, 2006

We hiked from the Lightening Creek Camp boat dock on Ross Lake to the Deer Lick Camp and back for ~8 miles round trip. The trail starts out ascending the northside of Lightning Creek, with switchbacks in and out of forest. The trail is designated for hikers & packers, but is a bit narrow & unstable to sustain a horse in many spots. In some spots, the trail seems to be barely clinging to the mountain for dear life. Gorgeous views of the suspension bridge, Ross Lake and the valley below in the first mile. After traversing the slope and ascending 800 feet, the trail drops to the creek, deep in the woods. After hearing the creek for more than an hour, it is eerie when all of a sudden the only sound is your footsteps and breath. Just before crossing the creek on a sturdy old bridge, the old Deer Lick Cabin comes in view. It is not locked as the guidebook says (100 Hikes in North Cascades). Earliest date we noted inscribed by vandals was 1963. The way to the turn around point for our day hike was slightly up and easy. The Deer Lick camp seemed deserted. No horses had been there in a while.