Desolation Peak — Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2008

North Cascades > North Cascades Highway - Hwy 20

Hiked to the Desolation Lookout on Desolation Peak via the East Bank Trail on Ross Lake. Did the trip in 3 days camping at Lighting Creek Camp on Ross Lake the 1st and 2nd nights. Trail conditions on the East Bank Trail where great with no real problems all the way to the junction with the trail going up to the lookout. The trail heading up to Desolation Lookout had some trees across the trail and is slightly overgrown in some places but otherwise not too bad. The trail heading up to Desolation gains elevation quickly and I was happy to have hit the trail in the early morning hours beating the afternoon sun. The East Bank Trail was easy hiking with a heavy pack since it's relatively flat. It's a 17 mile haul to Lighting Creek Camp from Highway 20 but I was able to cover the distance in less than 6 hours each way. I didn't bump into any other hikers on the trail during the entire trip until I was coming down the Desolation Peak trail from the lookout. I didn't bump into anyone at all on the East Bank Trail going in or out. It seems like most people enjoy this area using the water taxi service or multi-day canoeing or kayaking trips on Ross Lake. The views from the lookout are stunning and it was easy to spend a couple of hours up there. This is a hike that's a must do on a clear day. Bring some Kerouac poetry with you as the views from the lookout are inspiring.