2026.10.18. Lake Ingalls

10/18, Sunday. Fall color is fading fast in the mountain. Headed out to Lake Ingalls to catch the last golen needles. It rained on Saturday, learning from last Sunday, we left Seattle shortly before 9am.

It's a 2.5 hr drive. Of course the parking lot was full, but found a spot right outside with one wheel hanging over a ditch.

The trail zig-zags above the north bank of North Fork Teanaway River. Green all around. Seeing hikers and a few backpackers coming down already. Before the fork to Longs Pass at ~5400', you emerge above the trees (green). Frozen ground, but yesterday's snow had melted. Rocky. Views of Esmeralda Peaks at the other side of the vally, and Fortune Pass to the west. Near the top of the ridge, you can see Rainier.

Only after reached Ingalls Pass (~6500'), you start to see larches, and the imposing Mt. Stuart. Quite a lot north of the pass. However, almost all tall trees were bare on the upper half: maybe blown off by yesterday's wind. Colors were more brown than a week ago. Still lovely, especially lit by sun. Saw 4 maybe 6 goats high up towards Ingalls Peak.

After a short lunch break at the pass, headed to the lake. Took the higher route over. Most hikers took this route to and back. Quite some people at the lake. No larch here, but still pretty.

After another snack break by the lake, we took the lower route back. ~10 years ago, I camped here with a group of ladies from Portland. This route is quieter. More trees. The Headlight Creek is tiny, but still has running water (not sure from where). Back at Ingalls Pass ~3:30pm. The sun had already dipped low enough that most of the basin was in shade.

On our way out, still seeing people heading up. Without the sun, the colors they see would be dull. Smooth sailing. Saw 3 families of deers (mother and children) on the drive out on Teanaway Road.

Filled gas at Cle Elum.

2026.8.9. Gothic Basin and Del Campo

8/9, Sunday. Clear sky. After a week of haze and high temperature, this is a welcome reprise.

A lot of cars at Gothic Basin TH. Trail is straighforward, all the way to Foggy Lake. People dipped into the cold water after the sweaty hike. A lot of people though.

After lunch, I headed to Del Campo. There is a clear trail all the way to the talus field. Still a bit of snow left at the bottom, where I filled up my water bottle. This photo on the left was taken from the trail, no scramble needed yet.

I made a mistake scrambling all the way to the end of that field, because I remembered turning left there, and rounded back. A mistake. Had to back down, and scaled the peak more or less directly. There were a steady stream of folks trying to climb Del Campo. I forgot to pack a helmet. The view on the summit is stupendous. Not a lot of room. I stood on different spots to take photos so not to have other climbers in my shot.

I climbed down very slowly. Always feels more dangerous on my way down. I might be the last person off the mountain, even though 2 more went up on my way down.

On my hike out of Foggy Lake, I stumbled onto the southern shore of the lower Foggy Lake. It's a very nice detour. No one out here. New to me.

Saw a few more backpackers hiking in, on my way out.

A couple of take-aways:

• always bring a helmet, if climbing
• cannot rely on my memory

2026.7.25-26 Cady Ridge - Meander Meadow

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.

2026.7.11-13. Grand Valley - Lillian Ridge loop

Repeating my favorate trip last year. Due to a hot and dry spring, flowers are a disappointment this year, but the views here never disappoint. More deer this time. Instead of scrambling up to McCartney Peak, this time, a more relaxed excursion to Grand Pass Peak (last year it had too much snow) on day 2. Also I managed to score the camping permit at Gladys Lake for 2 nights, which made things easier.

7/11, Saturday. Took the 8:50am ferry. Didn't wait too long. Very cloudy today, couldn't see any Olympic peaks from Hurricane Ridge. We didn't make a stop, continued onto Obstruction Point road. Shortly into this gravel road, I saw 2 clusters of Olympic Bellflowers on the north side (left), no more later.

Ate some sliders that I got from Amazon yesterday. Around noon, we headed down to Badger Valley. Only a few minutes into the trail, saw a bear near the trail to Deer Park. Cool. My first bear this year! He's pretty big, moving slowly down the slope, poking the ground from time to time. Saw a ranger coming out. She checked our permit and inquired about bear can. I told her we didn't bring one because there are bear wires. She said that the wires are not maintained and bear can is now required. At least she didn't write us a ticket or chase us out.

Badger Valley still has quite some vetch, but the amount of Tiger Lily is miniscule. Saw some white rhodies, butterwort, bog orchid, quite a lot of harebells, a mother grouse and her 3 kids. A family of deer at Grand Lake.

Continued onto Moose Lake. More deer. Saw the ranger station (don't remember seeing it last summer). Took another break at the large meadow. A lady walked by and chatted with us. She saw bear yesterday.

Continued onto Gladys Lake. Many more deer. Took quite some time looking for a camp site. The one we used last year was taken. Didn't like the #1 in the woods, right at a trail junction. #3 is better, more open, but no view. Found another good site south of the lake, taken too. Eventually we set up the tent on a gravel slope further up Grand Creek. Not quite leveled. But great view, and less mosquitoes. I didn't get a single bite on this trip. Brought too much food. Hung them up on one of the bear wires. There are 3 pully systems. Thick metal wires. I don't see them deteriating any time soon, unless the trees they are tied to fell. No one else used them. I guess they all brought bear cans.

Chilly night, good stars.

7/12, Sunday. Frost on the ground in the morning, wet tent. We didn't leave until the sun was shining onto the tent. Headed up to Grand Pass, which we visited years ago (2008). No snow on track today, even though we saw snow nearby. Passed a pond, which a small campsite. As we got higher, better view. Great view at the pass. Saw some Cliff Douglasia.

Continued on to Grand Pass Peak. There's a trail. Now there seems to be a trail everywhere. The summit is a spraw area of rocks. We walked around looking for Olympic Bellflowers. Didn't find any. Stop for an early lunch (only 10am), while soaking the view. A marmott, and couple of chipmuncks. = Looking down the trail to Grand Pass, and the Grand Pass Trail.

Back at Grand Pass, I continued on Grand Pass Trail north down into Cameron Creek valley. The beginning of the descent is somewhat steep. Soon easies into long zigzag. Below the pond is a flowering meadown. Saw pink and yellow willowherb, columbine, most of all is bistort. A deer. Some pink yaroow. Then the trail drops precipitously down along a small creek in a gully. A lot of butterflies, quite some flowers. The trail then enters into trees, long gentle zigzag. At ~5400' (after, I checked at the map, I'd have to drop below 4200' before hitting Cameron Creek trail. Gave up. Went back up to Grand Pass (~6400'). Just a few feet below, saw Olympic Bellflower. I took another lunch break, before descending to camp. On the way, saw a couple of hikers coming up.

Later, tried my hand on fishing. I didn't catch anything, it was entertaining. Clouds increased. You can see the cloud/fog roll over water. Less cold tonight. No stars.

7/13, Monday. Didn't pack up until sun shone on us. The condensation on the tent with the gravel/dust ground made things quite dirty.

Clear sky. Sunny. Going up Low Pass. From the Low Pass, crest a rocky peak (minor scramble). There, saw some Olympic Bellflowers, and Alpine Collomia. Continued north to Mouse Peak. There, met a group of 4 climbers with ropes and helmets. They plan to camp at one Lillian Lake, and climb McCartney and continue on to Cameron Peak. Otherwise, we didn't see anyone until back on the regular trail.

From here, now we can see the scree traverse ahead. Don't rmember the track so well defined last year. Maybe because the 4 climbers just came that way. In the sliding scree, saw the bellflower, larkspur, and phacelia. More bellflowers on the crest of the ridge.

As we were near the regular trail, met a runner and a hiker. The rest is easy. Back to the car around 1pm. Much better view today at Hurricane Ridge road.

The Kingston Ferry now requires a "boarding pass" from an automatic dispenser along the road. Like getting into a parking garage, press the button, and get the pass. At the entrance gate, need this pass when paying for the ferry. All is smooth.

2026.6.7. Kachess Ridge - French Cabin - Silver Creek loop

6/7, Sunday. I vetoed O.K.'s suggestion of Zekes Peak as a day hike, on the ground of too much bushwhacking, especially after the rain. I suggested this ~15 mile loop by Kachess Lake. A similar distance to drive (~80 min). It has many peaks, all new to her, so she's happy to bag these. We left home shortly after 6am. There were already 3-4 cars at the TH, only ~7:30am.

First is Mt Baldy, which is a 0.9 mile (1-way) detour (on Domerie Peak Trail) from the main loop. Last time I did this was with V.I., a common friend of ours who perished last May in a climbing accident. We started in dry weather. However, due to the rain yesterday, the bushes were very wet. My pant legs got so wet, that the water was dripping down to my shoes. Then we walked into clouds. Despite of the "most sunny" forecast, it drizzled, and then it snowed. See the frozen trees here on the summit. Thankfully, we both packed rain jackets.

Back to Tara Point, continued north in the fog along Domerie Peaks trail towards Thomas Mountain. It's just a bump on the ridge, all in trees. No view. Further north, the trail deteriated. Very steep at a couple of places, so slow going. Saw a group of young runners coming the opposite direction. Saw a stretch of burnt trees too.

By 1pm, the clouds finally dissipated. However, the ridge is mostly in trees, once awhile on open edge for a good view of Cle Elum Lake. Peak 5049, Peak 5282 have better views to east. On these baldy slopes, quite some flowers.

At the very north end of the loop, we took a short spur to bag French Cabin South Peak. The two of us couldn't decide where is the "peak". All treed, not worth going. On the way, a nice flat meadow, and some glacier lilies. I refused to continue north to the north peak, as it a bit too much out of the way. Took me some effort to convince O.K. to abandon that peak.

We returned to the junction with Silver Creek Tie Trail, and took that to the west. The next peak, French Kiss, is a worthy stop, right by the trail. Open, good view. Plenty ridge to ramble. Easy. Saw another small group on the next bump.

Silver Creek Tie trail goes below French Cabin West Peak (5528'), where O.K. veered off to climb. I found a log and took a break. Took my shoes off, ate another bar, ... Eventually got bored, and went around checking out how the climb would go. Ended up scrambling all the way to the summit. On the way met O.K. on her way down. She waited for me. This is a real climb. Nothing dangerous though. Class 2-3. No real track, just use common sense.

Back on the main trail. Next junction, we turned south (left) onto Silver Creek Trail. This trail mostly followed the creek, even though the creek is not always visible. No views, saw many trilliums, some oregon anenome.

By the time we got back to the car, it was past 6pm. Probably 15-16 miles, 5000'. I drove home. Made noodle for dinner (continue the birthday theme).