A new trail for me, not a new area.
Based on recent reports on 40+ blowdowns on Little Wenatchee trail,
we opted to do Cady Ridge in and out, instead of
Cady Ridge - Meaander Meadow loop.
There were bear sighting. So I brought my bear can.
7/25, Saturday. Cloudy. Chances of rain 20%.
It's a longer than expected drive due to a road closure (Rainy Creek Rd/NF-67) and a detour. First, when we turned off Lake Wenatchee Hwy onto Little Wenatchee River rd (FSR65), Google Map insisted that the road was closed, and no alternative available. Then, istead of the paved 3 miles, had to go on the rough Devils Club Road towards Poe Mountain TH. Then drop down to the last ~3 miles of rough Little Wenatchee River Road (NF-65). So very slow 6 miles. At one point, a tree branch got stuck under the car. We had to crawl under the car to dislodge it. In the meantime, probably lost a pair of sunglasses. This detour seems be here for at least a year.
This TH is at the end of the road, shared by 3 trails. A few SUVs parked.
A couple of minutes onto trail, saw an NFS guy working on a pile of down trees, another one carrying a jerry can walking out.
Scramble over their working area, dropping down to a substantial bridge.
Then it's in trees. Zigzag, steadily gaining elevation. Not many down trees.
About an hour into the trail without seeing anyone else, a rock flew down and hit the trail in front us, made a loud noise.
It turns out a group of 4 campers were one zigzag above us. They were coming down. A lady in the group kicked off the rock to clear her path. That's one irresponsible thing to do. It could very much hit my head if I were just 1 minute earlier.
After that, no incident. Just very dry and dusty trail. At some point, there were burnt trees.
~2 hours from TH, reached a flat campsite. No water though.
Soon after, ~4 some miles in, there's a large clearing on the ridge: fire breaker.
I really liked it here. Good view on both sides. Grassy, flat.
Here's the photo taken on our way out when visibility was better.
Now, less elevation gain, mostly following the ridge, some ups and downs (5200'-5400'), in and out of trees.
~2 miles later, we entered a large flowering meadow/slope. Lovely here.
Cool breeze, still quite some corn lily, bistort, heathers. I would like to come again on a better flower year.
6.5 miles from TH, PCT. Right before the junction is another campsite (water is not far).
We turned south on PCT for 0.4 miles to Lake Sally Ann for the night.
This lake is very much used. Many established campsite and use trails.
No one else around, so we could pick any site.
My bad idea of pitching the tent out in the open on the dirt.
Good view, but it was somewhat windy, and dust coated the tent inside out.
I stashed a can of beer in the only snow patch on the north shore.
Without the sun, but has wind, it got quite chilly.
Spent the rest of the day fishing. Tried at different spots around the lake, got no bite. The wind is blowing northward. All the fishes were pushed to the north. As soon as we moved to the north, a big fish took the bite. However, it's too big. In the struggle, the fishing reel broke off. No more fishing. Retrieve the beer, back to camp. Because I brought too many sandwiches, we didn't even cook dinner.
A guy arrived, then 2 ladies doing PCT section hike. They didn't like how erode the lake shore is. The night was chilly, lots of condensation on the tent.
7/26, Sunday. The morning sun was blocked by a thick layer of clouds.
We took a day pack, headed out at 6:50am. The other campers were already gone.
Heading on PCT north to Dishpan Gap.
Saw a guy packing up his tent (no water on site).
Clouds were slowly burning off. As the day wore on, more distant mountains came in view.
Many years ago, I came to Dishpan Gap from the north on PCT (camped at White Pass with Zack and Ashley).
Today, we turned off PCT at Dishpan Gap onto Little Wanatchee River trail east.
The trail goes along a flowering slope. Saw baby grouse without mother.
After awhile, and went down to Meander Meadow.
There, on the western slope of this lovely valley, saw a big black bear, slowly moving about.
At the bottom of the meadow, saw 2 tents, and a few mosquitoes.
We continued on to the trail looping back on Meander Meadown Trail on the south slope.
This slope is not as pretty. Yes, heather and some gentium.
Back on to PCT, I decided to go up to Kodak Peak.
Went up there last time. PCT practically goes around it.
The trek up to Kodak Peak is fairly easy.
The very top is a flat tent site with some trees blocking the view to the west.
By now, the sky has cleared out. Outstanding view.
Back at tent, my partner was taking a nap. We packed up. Took some extra effort to wipe the tent from the reddish dust. A couple arrived, looking around the lake, and they took off onto Cady Ridge trail. We left ~1pm. I filled my water bottle at a little creek near the trail junction, before turning off onto Cady Ridge trail.
Going back on Cady Ridge trail over the flowering slope.
It is pretty. However, with the sun shining and we were gaining elevation, I didn't enjoy it as much as yesterday.
~7 miles from the lake to TH. Saw a couple at the first campsite where I took the photo earlier with my backpack. Later, saw 2 runners (I don't know why people like to run on dusty trails) going up, and then coming down in less than an hour. They couldn't have reached very far to warrent any view. When we arrived at the parking lot, only 2 cars left. The big mess at the turn of the trail was cleared up. Thanks to the 2 NFS employees.
~3 hours drive home, didn't find the lost sunglasses. Near the delapidated house with a large solar panel, saw a black bear running across the road.
Overall, this is a very enjoyable trip: no crowd, almost no bugs, millions of flowers, sweeping views, 2 bears. I'll definitely come back, maybe camp for 2 nights.
