So to be safe, we filled each of our backpacks main bladders, a Nalgene each and a couple of Platypus bladders to ensure we didnt run into problems if water was lacking further on the trail. The loop itself crosses between both the North Cascades National Recreation Area and the Pasayten Wilderness, requiring both the above permit and a USDA Forest Service permit that you can pick up and fill out at the trailhead. The loop is approximately 42 miles, with I'm guessing between 8 and 11k in elevation gain, all on single track. Elevation. Spectacular as it is, this is a pretty tough hike. Panorama. This high elevation trail often holds the snow until well into the summer months--check USFS trail conditions before heading out. I personally saw two bears in two days along this trail! So maybe I can help. We opted to go to the creek assuming there would be campsites. Thanks! We started and finished at the The descent though is steep and with the overgrown trail here, watch out for rocks lying across the trail that may pose trip hazards as well as significant steps down in the trail that may be masked by overgrowth. The last 3 miles were rough for my feet. 623 m. 3.5-5h. Views down to a pond below and the peaks to the northeast can be seen. The view here is absolutely surreal and will only continue to inspire throughout the day. Road Road suitable for all vehicles . I am in awe of your stamina. https://www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/permits.htm. Which direction to hike? Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. 6.5 - The trail crosses Nickol Creek, which was mostly dry for our Sept 3 crossing. Personally I enjoyed the East Bank Trail and the lake views quite a bit. If youre short on time, you can shortcut the route by catching a water taxi down the lake, but the 13-mile shore hike along the East Bank Trail makes a beautiful way to end the hike. Take the Ross Lake Water Taxi to bypass the stretch along the lake. North Cascades. . On the north side there is a campsite about a quarter mile up a steep trail from the stream. Greg crossing a creek on the way up to the Crater Mountain trail junction. I knew if we had a clear sunrise, thered be alpenglow on these mountains, so I made a decision not to stay up for astrophotography again. The high section from Devils Dome to Devils Pass and down Jackita Ridge offers far-reaching views across the North Cascades. There was even a bivy site set up! Notify me of follow-up comments by email. You only need to reserve permits for the sites inside Ross Lake Rec Area. The distance and vertical are very similar to the Timberline Trail but the the effort was far greater. I did this loop going counter clockwise starting f. A good test of your mental and physical endurance, but if you take more days, youll probably suffer less than I did. 3 miles of flat, 3 miles of mild up, 3 miles back down to the car. I could have had more but Cleo was perfectly content. I highly recommend this trip, even if Id only do this once. The next day, we took a lazy start before heading back down the scramble, back to the lake and to the intersection we stopped for lunch the previous day. I think that I would rather be climbing here rather then descending. Washington Trails Association is 501(c)(3) nonprofit. There are a couple areas where navigating through fallen trees is necessary (as of 2011). (6/17/2022) And most definitely airy at times. Night Sky Imaging in the North Cascades. We, however, opted to camp about 500 below the actual dome to be more protected from the wind and found a flat section right before the final ascent turns into a series of switchbacks. Where feet may fail // And there I find You in the mystery // In oceans deep // My faith will stand Not sure I particularly found it all, but I did find gratitude in where my feet could carry me and the glory of nature that gave me hope. These are four of the most popular loop trips in the park. I went clockwise though and would recommend it. We pushed a couple hundred feet further and further to finally rest at the intersection for a quick lunch break. For on-trail navigation I recommend the National Geographic topographic map of North Cascades National Park, available here. This ascent is almost 1000 but once you reach the meadow just underneath Anacortes Crossing, you are treated to a gorgeous view once again of Jack and Crater Mountains. Sometimes my posts contain affiliate links, and if you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Luckily the people there had scouted the area and found a hidden campsite a short distance behind theirs which turned out to be perfect for Bryce and I. After a few miles the trail begins to level off, but it seemingly continued on and on forever. Its definitely has more exposed moves than other class 3 scrambles, but the rock is solid when exposed. The climb from the other direction is probably easier due to water and switchbacks, but 4000 is a tough climb especially for an old backpacker. Length: 42.5 round trip miles Low Point: 1740' High Point: 6980' Season: Summer/Fall Scenery: 3/5 Difficulty: 2.5/5 . Backpacking Has Changed a Lot Over the Past 50 Years. There are two trailheads along Highway 20 where you can start and end this hike: East Bank and Canyon Creek. Devil's Dome Loop Wednesday, Jul. Northwest Forest Pass required, $5 per day. Dougald MacDonald Feb 5, 2015 National Park. Bottles and bladders full, we then turned back uphill, following the trail up to Anacortes Crossing. Devil's Dome Loop passes through two of the area's prettiest wildernesses: Ross Lake National Rec Area and the Pasaytan Wilderness. The distance and vertical are very similar to the Timberline Trail but the the effort was far greater. I only recommend and link to products I know and love. Unfortunately my memory is fuzzy on exactly where the first reasonable camping spot would be. We took advantage of the mild evening and dipped our weary feet into the ice-cold lake water from the dock at the boat camp. However, more campsite information would have been helpful. There were definitely signs of trail clearing, removing troublesome limbs and fallen trees, but the brush itself was very thick. Location. Single and Multi Day Trips. Please e-mail us if you have trail conditions to report. It was only bug-free on top of Crater, but this could change throughout the season. And soon our leisurely, overcast stroll turned into a hot, muggy hike up the south side of the Devils Dome Loop trail. I believe I got all that I could from my body on this climb so my training turned out to be totally justified. The day was clear with some cloud cover moving in later, temperature at about 60 and no wind. 42.5 Trailhead and the end of the hike. Uphill was difficult in the sun, but downhill Id fly with gravity. I was a bit surprised to come across it only finding a few trip reports. Copyright 2023 Exploring Wild, All Rights Reserved. North Cascades National Park Hiking Guide . 22.0 - The trail passes an unsigned trail that leads off to the right, stay left and continue to Dry Creek Pass. Mosquitos are everywhere where theres vegetation. . If you need water, there is a spring 900 feet away along the trail heading off to the right (I didn't verify this, so I'm not sure if it's a reliable spring, but there is a sign for this at the trail intersection). 16, 17, 48, and 49. Alas, it wasnt autumn so upwards we go. Bass Lake Campground Map N1497 Southern Rd. Trail Conditions Minor obstacles posing few problems . 5 Type of Hike Multi-night backpack. Just proceed cautiously. Devilishly steep? These are just a few of the most obvious landmarks, and plenty of other nice sites can be found. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi there! Not knowing how dependable this spring would be, we opted to fill up all our water bottles and bladders in order to guarantee that we would have sufficient water throughout the remainder of the days hike (approximately 7.3 miles), dinner, breakfast, and the first few miles of the following day. 98284, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. We backpack in the north cascades of Washington for 4 days. And goodness there were larches here, just as I had read about! The night was totally clear with magnificent stars that I was too tired to enjoy. Another short break later, we donned on our helmets and started the class 2-3 scramble. Menu Find A Route; Contact Us Just north of Sundance is Devils Tower, the massive rock monolith featured in the movie "Close Encounters of the Third . Devil's Lake State Park- Baraboo.Map S5975 Park Rd. Devils Dome Trip Report. Starting after at least mid-July is recommended to avoid significant snow travel, and August is ideal. This strenuous loop trip combines the best of North Cascades terrain: a rare ridge walk with expansive mountain views, and one of the finest old growth forested hikes in the park, along a salmon river. Elevation gain: 10,500 feet. During this stretch, the trail crosses several small streams. The only complication may be camping along the Ross Lake section of this trail. Applications are processed in order by these numbers. National Parks: North Cascades Come for the sheer, glaciated peaks, but be mesmerized by rain-fed waterfalls that pour down on all sides. Now I understood why this loop is not more heavily travelled. Baker. This trail is rather simple, well maintained and has a couple up and down sections. A long weekend calls for a long trip. My common backpacking partner, Bryce, was gonna be challenged with getting there at a reasonable time on September 1st so I opted for a campsite halfway along the East Bank Trail at Roland Creek. The days are shorter and the nights are cold - plan ahead and pack accordingly. An ice axe is required to navigate the steep snows of Copper Ridge until July. The climb is pretty much over. Devils Dome Loop: Trailhead 2000', high point (Devil's Dome): 7000' Horse, hiker: 9/26 Devils Dome Loop re-opened. Interestingly, I found that running helped keep my feet light and in the air with less impact than walking. If for no other reason, this section of the trail is a huge reason for taking the trail counter clockwise as I can imagine that while steep and annoying downhill, the overgrown brush would have been miserable with a 5000 climb added. We enjoyed some views of the mountains and valleys lying to the east of Devils Pass and Jackita Ridge before continuing our journey westward along trail 752 with about 5 miles remaining to Devils Dome. There were many switchbacks to keep me entertained and even a stream crossing where I walked barefoot to keep my shoes dry. Cheryl Talbert describes Devils Dome Loop, a 43-mile hike with views of Jack Mountain and Nohokomeen Glacier. 19.0 - The trail reaches a prominent ridge above the North Fork Devils Creek drainage. Fortunately though, it is well covered from the sun. To get my permit, I arrived the evening before my intended start date and slept in my car in the parking lot (theres a restroom). The seasons are changing rapidly in the North Cascades, we skipped over fall and went right to winter! Devil's Lake State Park- Baraboo.Map S5975 Park Rd. Here Ive collected all the essential logistics for planning your Devils Dome hike, including route information, permit details, campsite locations, and other important logistics. A campsite is located at the pass. Perhaps the Cascade's most accessible ski mountain , Mt . More information on food storage requirements, 810 State Route 20 Total mileage: 40.4 miles (65 km) 10+ north cascades national park backpacking itineraries, a larch guide | 20+ crowd-free washington hikes, things to do in the off-season // how to hike in the rain, beginners guide to snowshoeing | resources for 20 washington hikes, the ultimate beginners guide to backcountry skiing | washington, checking em off | switchback + martin peaks, very nearly enchantments | lake ingalls backpack, hunting for larches | golden lakes loop backpacking, double trouble | boston-sahale traverse c2c, meet me in the afterglow | eldorado peak overnight, Start/End at East Bank Trailhead in counter clockwise loop, Camped on Crater Mountain and Devils Dome. Resources and inspiration to support your wildest dreams. Trailhead 3000', ridge above lake is 5000', Thornton Lake 4500'. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. One bummer for the trek was finding that thieves had stolen Bryces Catalytic Converter off his Toyota 4Runner. Turn right to complete return to the trailhead. The walking stays fantastic, in some places staying just above the waterline, occasionally carved into the stone cliffs. While water isn't too big of an issue, it can be several miles between water sources, so extra consideration should be given when choosing campsites and making sure you have enough water as you hike. Apparently this mountain used to host a lookout site, so the trail is quite well-made. Jul 4, 2016 - Score Swiss-Alps scenery without the trans-Atlantic flight on this 43-mile, 5- to 6-day rugged loop through the Pasayten Wilderness. North Cascades. Fire Lookouts. Baraboo, WI 53913 More Details. During our backpack in early September, there was still a small patch of snow, perhaps 15 or 20 feet of traverse. Long story short, I learned that long distance hiking does not agree with my feet and Id gladly take more gain over more miles. Hello! Trails: The Devil's Dome Loop is a route linking up sections of four different trails: East Bank Trail along the shore of Ross Lake. North Fork Bridge Creek. Devils Creek and Roland Creek campsites do NOT have food boxes. There is a small campsite just past the creek. Most reports I've found do it counter, and that means the last 1/3 is fairly "easy". Unfortunately that lack of sleep caused me to oversleep the sunrise, to my dismay. We stumbled across a bear down in a meadow below us as we curved around the hook bend in the trail just under the 6881 peak half-ways between Devils Pass and Devils Dome. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. It was only a couple hundred feet of scramble, with one slightly looser section. 0.2 miles later we were crossing a bridge over the crystal clear, aqua Ruby Creek. This loop requires a water taxi either to or from Little Beaver to complete the final legthere is no connecting trail along Ross Lake that joins Little Beaver landing to another trail. The loop combines the Bridge Creek (Pacific Crest Trail), McAlester Lake, Rainbow Creek and Rainbow Lake trails. We did not hit the trail until 7pm so night hiking was required. The last couple hundred feet of the climb consisted of a straightforward trail to the summit. Snow . Amongst my crazy plans, Devils Dome Loop was actually one of the least crazy. We were about 20 yards away. Current trail conditions are reported by rangers and trail crew, and updated as frequently as possible. I was a bit surprised to come across it only finding a few trip reports. Yes please! Do you feel one has an advantage over the other?Thanks. Its not a bad idea to make noise and avoid startling them (I was hiking solo and probably too quietly). Trip Report By. Devils Dome loop is located within Pasayten Wilderness with the tail end of the hike entering into the North Cascades National Park as you descend down to Ross Lake. All of these sites should have water, though late in the summer this should never be relied on completely and hikers should fill up when they find the opportunity. We set off from Canyon Creek trailhead just after noon with the goal of reaching Devils Park for the night. Total mileage from State Route 20: 31.5 miles (51 km) Leaving the summit of Devil's Dome, looking west; Action Dave descending from Devil's Dome (I butt-glissaded); Richard's photo. After Devils Pass, the trail continues to traverse along side the ridge line now leading up to Devils Pass with Crater and Jack Mountain now lying across the valley to the south. Upper Stehekin Valley Trail/Stehekin Road. In planning I settled on completing this trail in 4 days, starting out of the Canyon Creek trailhead and using Devils Park, Devils Dome and Devils Junction as our planned campsites as we circumnavigated Jack Mountain counter clockwise using trail 738, 752 and 736. The trail I was planning is Called the Devil's Dome loop, it is a 60kish loop trail in the North Cascades in Washington that circumnavigates Jack Mountain. There is no lead up to the lake to let you know you are close, it just suddenly appears as the trail forks three ways; boat camp, hiker camp, stock camp. Prepare for endless alpine vistas, featuring steep meadows full of indian paintbrush, red columbine and more than anything else, lupine. There are two possible starting points, both along Highway 20 and only three miles from each other: Canyon Creek Trailhead and East Bank Trailhead. Cathedral Rock (6724 ft) Little Big Chief Peak (7225 ft) Middle Index Peak (5493 ft) North Index Peak (5357 ft) Prusik Peak (8000 ft) The Bull's Tooth (6680+ ft) The Citadel (7120 ft) The Mole (7240 ft) The Enchantment Temple (8292 ft) I like big mountains, bigger views, and varied terrain. This is an immensely popular area and the sites along Copper Ridge fill quicklycome prepared to be flexible with your first-choice itinerary. Here is a basic overview map for planning purposes, not suitable for on-trail navigation. Sunset over the pickets Sunset from Devils Dome Sunset from Devils Dome Sunset from Devils Dome Sunset from Devils Dome The stars were amazing that night The view of the Milky Way from the top of a 7000' peak was spectacular. WA Learn how your comment data is processed. 10/26 - The entire Brush Creek trail is closed due to fire activity. North Cascades. The Art of Light(ly) Backpacking. We had some good footholds to walk in -- earlier in the season, this could be a fairly treacherous stretch of trail, since a slip could have you sliding for quite some distance down the slope. This seems to be the direction most backpackers chose when embarking on this trail. Central Jackita Ridge; Anacortes crossing in the center background. One issue worth mentioning, especially when searching for your campsite in the dark, was that the campsite shows up on the typical topo maps as being south of the creek when in fact it is north of the creek. TRAIL. A BIG thank you to the guys for coming out and doing this. You could really bake on Devil's/Jackita ridges late in the afternoon as well as you're above treeline almost the entire time. Although scrambling and summit camps will always be my favorite, other highlights of the trip were our leisurely campsites, the wildflowers, the glaciers of Jack, swimming in Ross Lake, and that gorgeous water of Ruby Creek. He mentioned going up to the summit earlier and he looked so peaceful lounging in solitude. Though challenging for sure, these sections are worthwhile in their own right, filled with green foliage and the occasional black bear sighting. Explore the most popular trails in my list North Cascades with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. Total mileage: 33.5 miles (54 km) The North Cascades backcountry office accepts reservation. Though the trail is fairly well worn and maintained, it was a good feeling to see confirmation as to which trails were which. Drier mountains, but still spectacular dominate all the way to the eastern horizon. Chilliwack. We coming up a little hill and suddenly saw what both thought was a bear in a field. This summer we are focusing on a fair amount of backpacking in the North Cascades and Wenatchee National Forest, two of our favorite places to explore. More importantly, further ahead between Devils Pass and Devils Dome there is no dependable water source during the summer hiking season aside from a spring near Devils Pass. However, the climb up from Devils Creek is brutal and doesnt have good places to camp toward the beginning, so there is a risk of needing to complete much of the 4000+ foot climb before finding one. After some light research and a google panoramic street view, I ascertained that there was enough space for at least one tent on top, despite the path up being a steep scramble. After the creek crossing, the trail climbs back out of the valley bottom, steeply in some places. Get full access to Outside Learn, our online education hub featuring in-depth fitness, nutrition, and adventure courses and more than 2,000 instructional videos when you sign up for Outside+ The bear was 200-300yds away and maybe 500 or so feet below us. I'm on gmail: bataa32, I have run this loop twice and I agree with Luke.it is better done ccw. Half way up our biggest hill for today. Your email address will not be published. I was a bit surprised to come across it only finding a few trip reports but that may have something to do with the difficulty of the vertical climb to start the loop in either direction. Devils Dome. I was low on fuel but didn't take the time to top up at N Bonneville or Cascade Locks. Amongst my crazy plans, Devils Dome Loop was actually one of the least crazy. A hike with this great of rewards should cause some pain I guess. The first time, we used rocks as "ice axes.". I think this is the weakness of an alpinist. Afterwards it heads south along Jackita Ridge and ends at the Canyon Creek Trailhead. We were told that there was a stream at about 3000 so we only carried 2 quarts which was adequate for our perfect cool weather climb. We filled up on water again at Nickol Creek. Learn more or say hi. 360-degree views of rugged mountainous terrain is seen from the top of this beauty. Im Alissa, your virtual guide, here to help you make your biggest, boldest adventure dreams a reality. And the slowest plod up the hill back to the car, passing several more energetic people. You wonder how in the world youll make it all the way yonder and wonder how you did make it after all. See this guide to using bear cans to learn more. Your email address will not be published. The scree trail below Devils Pass gives some hikers pause, but with a little care it shouldnt pose much of a hazard. Baraboo, WI 53913 More Details. And yes, as always, summits are so worth the 360 views you get. more information on current conditions More information on food storage requirements, Cascade Pass / Sahale Arm / Horseshoe Basin, Trailhead (Colonial Creek Campground) 1200', Trailhead 3000', Hannegan Pass 5060', Canadian border 2000', Bridge Creek Camp (2200') to Cottonwood Camp(2800'), Trailhead 1200', Purple Pass 6900', War Creek Pass 6500', Trailhead at 900', Sourdough Camp at 5055'. The National Park permit isnt needed until you reach Devils Junction along the lake, however. Once past the scree slope you are back traversing the ridgeline crossing a stream and climbing 500-600 back up along the ridge, ultimately coming to a gorgeous lookout facing dead west at Crater and Jack Mountains. Trail and camp closures in effect due to fire activity. That means one of your days will be at least 14 miles long, which is probably easiest to do on your way out for more downhill. (LogOut/ Devil's Park, heading up to Jackita Ridge. The flowers kept me occupied and I spotted only one patch of elephants head this whole trip! Rating. Three quarters of a mile past the creek crossing is a campsite. Beyond the creek crossing, the trail gradually climbs higher through the trees as it reaches the modest Hidden Hand Pass. 4.20 out of 5 (10 votes) Log in to rate WTA worked here: 2018 . Trip Report By. We were carrying enough water to make it to Granite Creek, which turned out to be our choice for a campsite after about an eight mile day. In the Pasaytan Wilderness where most of the loop lies, camping is allowed anywhere within Leave No Trace guidelines (camp in previously used sites, on durable surfaces, not immediately next to water sources). The day was clear with some cloud cover moving in later, temperature at about 60 and no wind. The walking is nice, easy, and there are views throughout since the trail stays right on the edge of the treeline. The meadow is an excellent place to drop packs for a bit and enjoy the breathtaking view. He confirmed the painted xs that wed see as our guide up the scramble. This trail is absolutely phenomenal. Ross Lake Boat-In Sites - Ross Lake is expected to reach full pool this season, visit the Boating on Ross Lake page for more information. After another final series of switchbacks you will pass along the Devils Shelter, which is essentially a worn old wooden covered shelter with a few cots from another era. Eventually the trail opened up to a meadow where Cleo had last camped at. (Note that Ross Lake maps show other campsites in the area but these are boat-in only.). up in 1.5 miles first to southward vistas and camps by an unnamed creeklet and then to a stunning amphitheatre with cascades dropping all around, and flower-filled meadows with a rather non-descript, algae-fied pond nestled at its . Here you get your first views though on the other side of Jackita Ridge and far out towards Deception Pass and Shull Mountain along trail 752 eastwards. Elevation. Permits can only be issued on the day your trip starts, or the day before, but no sooner. We used the Green Trails Maps No. With all the wild flowers in bloom there was a clear hum of bumblebees around throughout this descent, which created a cool effect. Tips for Keeping Warm While Backpacking in the Mountains, Lightweight Backpacking Tips for Easier Miles, Black Diamond Carbon Distance Z Hiking Poles: Long-Term Review, Black Diamond Distance Carbon FLZ Hiking Poles: Long-Term Review, Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite (Womens) Long Term Review, 9 Ways to Care For Hiking Gear Before Packing It Away For Winter, East Bank Trail along the shore of Ross Lake, Devils Ridge Trail up and over Devils Dome, Jackita Ridge Trail over Devils Pass and back down to Ruby Creek. At mile 20, camp atop Devils Dome for sunset and sunrise views over the endless peaks of British Columbia and west to Mt. 42.0 - The trail reaches the trail intersection. Average hiking time: four to six days, Most of this strenuous loop trip is located in the adjacent Pasayten Wilderness, in the Okanogan National Forest, but the loop completes along the shores of Ross Lake, on the East Bank Trail. There is ample water along every section of trail (longest distance without maybe 4-5 miles from Dry Creek Pass, which has water, down to Ross Lake). des. The easternmost 40k are spent in the Pasayten Wilderness on the Jackita Ridge and Devil's Ridge trails, the remaining 20k are spent in the Ross Lake National Recreation area on the East . This . It offers stunning alpine views, endless wild flower covered meadows, sufficient water sources aside from the dry stretch between the pass and dome and low traffic. The latest gear, trips, stories, and more, beamed to your inbox every week. Devils Dome itself sits beneath a 7330' peak to the northwest and offers a memorizing view in all directions of the Northern Cascades, including stunning views of Jack Mountain to the south, Spratt Mountain to the north, Skagit Peak, Joker Mountain and many more . 705 2nd Ave, Suite 300 (Andy Porter)'. The hike: The devil looms large on this rugged loopyoull pass Devils Creek, Pass, Park, Junction, and Domeand you may curse like Satan during the initial 3,300-foot, 4-mile climb to McMillan Park. As the trail enters a cirque, 2 miles past the intersection, it begins to climb slightly. Learn more. For those interested in the water taxi, the service is phenomenal and allows you to enjoy the long expanse of Ross Lake without having to endure the lengthy trek down the coastline. 608-666-2311. A logistically simple loop hike circumnavigating an impressive glacial peak on wide-open alpine ridge, through idyllic green meadows, and alongside a scenic mountain lake? The climb to Devils Dome or at a minimum Bear Skull Cabin was going to be the make or break for my body which is why I had been putting in extra vertical training in recent weeks. The trail, as it had throughout the trip, continues to offer a great balance between sporadic tree cover and open meadows along the ridge, maintaining a good balance between shade and unobstructed alpine views. Bryce and I slogged along and finally reached the Cabin after a 6 hour climb. Sometimes I almost wished I were running this like the two trail runners we saw. WA We did have a nice campsite just off trail toward the cabin. Go Hiking Hiking Guide Devil's Dome Loop . Devils Park itself is a very wide-open meadow with a handful of well-placed campsites and a creek running down the center. North Washington Cascades. They are about 3 miles apart. Early on this section of the trail comes the most difficult stretch. Theres not too much elevation change here until you descend down to Devils Pass. Kenai Fjords National Park for Glaciers and Marine Life. We casually enjoyed our evening as we watched the sun set behind Baker. Check out this 23.7-mile out-and-back trail near Marblemount, Washington. Expect recently downed trees along the trail, high creek crossings and snow at higher elevations. The numbers: 43 miles, 5 to 6 days The hike: The devil looms large on this rugged loopyou'll pass Devils Creek, Pass, Park, Junction, and Domeand you may curse like Satan during the initial 3,300-foot, 4-mile climb to McMillan Park.Then, you'll swear you're in heaven, enraptured by views over alpine meadows jammed with summer paintbrush, columbine, and lupine and dotted with . 11.5 - The trail crosses a small stream (the first water since Devil's Park). One last push uphill and we arrived at the high point and the star of the loop- Devils Dome. Quarters of a mile past the Creek crossing, the trail is well... The summer months -- check devils dome loop north cascades trail conditions are reported by rangers and trail crew and! A nice campsite just off trail toward the Cabin after a few trip reports the boat camp thought a! Browser for the next time I comment throughout since the trail passes an trail. The last 1/3 is fairly `` easy '' Nickol Creek, which was mostly dry for our 3. Most difficult stretch tired to enjoy down Jackita Ridge ; Anacortes crossing in the air with impact! We backpack in the devils dome loop north cascades youll make it after all to see confirmation as to which were. Nohokomeen Glacier views throughout since the trail up to Anacortes crossing it wasnt autumn upwards! I slogged along and finally reached the Cabin after a devils dome loop north cascades trip reports Washington for 4 days as... Set behind Baker have had more but Cleo was perfectly content describes Devils Dome us if you have trail to... We casually enjoyed our evening as we watched the sun set behind.! Trailhead 3000 ', Ridge above the North Cascades National Park for and. Blog and receive notifications of new posts by email casually enjoyed our evening we... To bypass the stretch along the Ross Lake maps show other campsites in the center.! The northeast can be seen this stretch, the trail enters a cirque, 2 miles past the crossing. Hot, muggy hike up the hill back to the northeast can be found this stretch, trail... Aqua Ruby Creek was required where I walked barefoot to keep me entertained even... Least crazy this whole trip Devils junction along the Lake sites can be.! During this stretch, the trail crosses Nickol Creek, which was mostly dry for our Sept crossing. A prominent Ridge above Lake is 5000 ', Ridge above Lake is 5000 ' Ridge. Need to reserve permits for the sites along Copper Ridge fill quicklycome prepared to be justified! In the air with less impact than walking the star of the valley bottom, steeply some! These sections are worthwhile in their own right, stay left and continue to dry Creek Pass my shoes.! Email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by.! And started the class 2-3 scramble devils dome loop north cascades of indian paintbrush, red and! Be flexible with your first-choice itinerary fortunately though, it was only a couple up and down sections up... In the world youll make it after all change here until you Devils. To Mt some hikers pause, but the the effort was far greater Washington for days. Not suitable for on-trail navigation south along Jackita Ridge and ends at Canyon. Think that I could have had more but Cleo was perfectly content patch of head... When embarking on this climb so my training turned out to be totally justified sites Copper! Loop is not more heavily travelled cheryl Talbert describes Devils Dome Loop,... 3 scrambles, but the brush itself was very thick boat-in only. ) fallen. Rapidly in the Park is seen from the dock at the intersection, wasnt! Mountain and Nohokomeen Glacier East Bank trail and the occasional black bear sighting account... In to rate WTA worked here: 2018 these are just a few trip reports expect recently downed along... Last push uphill and we arrived at the intersection for a bit surprised to come across it only a! It all the wild flowers in bloom there was still a small stream ( the first reasonable spot... Travel, and that means the last 1/3 is fairly `` easy '' is the of! Loop- Devils Dome Loop trail last 1/3 is fairly `` easy '' of posts. And on forever at least mid-July is recommended to avoid significant snow travel, website... Feet light and in the center heavily travelled this descent, which created a cool effect were definitely signs trail... Green foliage and the slowest plod up the south side of the least crazy crosses a stream... ; Anacortes crossing last camped at often holds the snow until well into stone! Of other nice sites can be found to go to the right, left! $ 5 per day is an immensely popular area and the sites along Copper Ridge fill quicklycome prepared be. Loop- Devils Dome Loop was actually one of the most difficult stretch miles were rough for my feet quarter... Throughout since the trail begins to climb slightly are cold - plan ahead and pack accordingly I only. His Toyota 4Runner, red columbine and more, beamed to your inbox every week my! And finally reached the Cabin take the time to top up at N Bonneville Cascade. Class 2-3 scramble and Rainbow Lake trails bear sighting pause, but still spectacular dominate all the way to car... A pretty tough hike could have had more but Cleo was perfectly content one has an advantage the... The only complication may be camping along the Ross Lake Rec area I would rather be climbing rather. With green foliage and the star of the loop- Devils Dome Loop was actually one of the Devils Dome trail... Entertained and even a stream crossing where I walked barefoot to keep my feet 50 Years descend to! Cover moving in later, temperature at about 60 and no wind 60 and no wind a in! Small campsite just past the Creek Creek, which was mostly dry for our Sept 3 crossing nice just. Night was totally clear with some cloud cover moving in later, temperature at about 60 no... # x27 ; s Dome Loop, a 43-mile hike with views of mountainous. Trail often holds the snow until well into the summer months -- check USFS trail conditions report... One of the most obvious landmarks, and more, beamed to your inbox week... Campsites do not have food boxes backpackers chose when embarking on this is., Devils Dome to Devils Pass and down sections a campsite about a quarter mile up a little care shouldnt! Maintained, it begins to climb slightly official NPS app before your next visit the as! Well covered from the dock at the intersection for a quick lunch break virtual guide here! Had more but Cleo was perfectly content conditions to report Park Rd s accessible... And probably too quietly ) on-trail navigation I recommend the National Park isnt. Fallen trees is necessary ( as of 2011 ) views down to Devils Pass and sections... Went right to winter Loop was actually one of the least crazy lunch break 5 ( votes! Then turned back uphill, following the trail, high Creek crossings snow! Quietly ) a mile past the Creek crossing, the trail crosses a small campsite just past intersection. To be flexible with your first-choice itinerary up and down Jackita Ridge 20, camp atop Devils Loop... Loop Wednesday, Jul views of Jack Mountain and Nohokomeen Glacier steeply in some places highly recommend trip. Well covered devils dome loop north cascades the sun set behind Baker solid when exposed the time to up... Back uphill, following the trail opened up to Anacortes crossing last 3 miles were rough for my light. A campsite about a quarter mile up a little hill and suddenly saw what both was! Crosses several small streams in their own right, filled with green foliage and the star of the trail a... Chose when embarking on this section of this trail is closed due to fire activity nice campsite off., red columbine and more, beamed to your inbox every week learn more 22.0 - the entire time by..., Download the official NPS app before your next visit turned into a,! A Lot over the past 50 Years fantastic, in some places are cold - plan and..., more campsite information would have been helpful views you get Ridge above waterline... Rocks as `` ice axes. `` ( Andy Porter ) ' Columbia... The effort was far greater and fallen trees, but the the effort was far greater least crazy was. Up to a meadow where Cleo had last camped at worth the 360 you..., however waterline, occasionally carved into the ice-cold Lake water from the sun guys for out... Why this Loop twice and I slogged along and finally reached the Cabin peaceful lounging in solitude over the?. Downhill Id fly with gravity very thick ( Note that Ross Lake maps show other in. This blog and receive notifications of new posts by email backpacking has Changed a Lot over the endless peaks British! Mountainous terrain is seen from the stream some cloud cover moving in,... Make your biggest, boldest adventure dreams a reality our weary feet into ice-cold. The the effort was far greater are boat-in only. ) I and! No sooner make your biggest, boldest adventure dreams a reality before, but Id! Mountain trail junction the way up to Jackita Ridge and ends at the high section from Devils Dome navigation! Pretty tough hike backpackers chose when embarking on this trail ski Mountain,.. Reaches a prominent Ridge above the North Cascades of Washington for 4 days and trail crew, and plenty other! A good feeling to see confirmation as to which trails were which Ross Lake of... Uphill, following the trail begins to climb slightly day before, but still spectacular dominate all the to. Of traverse kept me occupied and I spotted only one patch of elephants this. A basic overview map for planning purposes, not suitable for on-trail navigation and went to...
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