| Location: | Okanogan National Forest |
| Date: | Aug. 21, 1996 (Wed.) |
| Total Distance (est.): | 9 miles |
| Total Trip Time (est.): | 4 1/2 hours |
| # of Other Parties Seen: | About 9 |
| See Also: | 100 Hikes in the North Cascades |
Like view hikes? Try this one, where at 7000 feet elevation in the North Cascades the views start virtually from the start and never end. The way started only briefly in forest, passed through a large rock-field, climbed to a bend -- and on rounding it the surroundings fell away.
On this day, though, my hike almost ended before it had barely begun, when from the sky started falling -- snow! In August! I sat down and waited to see if it would go stop before I ran out of patience and gave up. And even if it stopped, what did it matter if the clouds stayed around and hid the views? But just before I was ready to turn back, not only did the snow stop but the clouds mostly withdrew as well. The hike could go on.
The trail followed well-nigh continuously along the side of a ridge with surrounding valleys and peaks to the east always in view. Given the steepness of the terrain, there was relatively little elevation gain or loss. Here and there a saddle provided peeks out to the other side. Some portions of the trail, especially near the turnaround point, could likely give some people vertigo, particularly given its narrowness in those stretches. One large snowfield across the trail made for a tricky crossing -- fortunately, in one of the less-steep sections. At about three miles, the trail crossed the headwaters of a creek, the best camping spot in the area. (A flat stretch slightly further on at another saddle provided camping but no water.)
After about 4 1/2 miles, at yet another saddle (I am not sure whether this or the previous one was the real "Grasshopper Pass" -- my hiking book listed it but no map did), the trail finally departed the ridge for Glacier Pass, but I did not, settling for a short climb to a hillock and a long look around; the tallest nearby peak (Mt. Ballard) was still cloud-covered this day, though. For those wanting even better views, a rough trail ascended further down the ridge to the next peak; it took one couple I observed about 15-20 minutes to make it there from the main trail.
Take the North Cascades Highway (highway 20) east of the passes to the town of Mazama, and turn left (if coming from the west) on a road (name?) heading westward, following the Methow River. After about 10 miles is a junction; take the right fork headed uphill, leaving pavement. Beware: this road is narrow in spots and in one place can raise a few hairs: a half-mile stretch with precious little room between you and the valley far below. After another 10 miles or so is Harts Pass and a T. Turn left and follow this road to the end.