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vintageradio Distinguished member
Joined: 15 Oct 2008 Posts: 81 | TRs | Pics Location: Woodinville, WA |
I thought this might be a good hike to see some fall color - I was right.
I had mixed feelings about this hike. There is something about hiking 1000' vertical only to find a big chair lift at the top that takes some of the satisfaction out of it. The first 3 miles or so offer frequent views of chair lifts and powerlines. If you can see past that, the colors are stunning and there are nice views of the surrounding mountains. But it wasn't until I entered the Alpine Lakes Wilderness that I finally felt right.
It's about 2 miles to the top of the first ridge, 3 miles to the ALW, and 5 to Josephine lake. The trail is in excellent shape the entire way. There is a marked junction with the Icicle creek trail that goes down to the lake, or you can continue on the PCT for a short distance for a nice viewpoint.
We only saw one other person on the trail the entire day (Wednesday).
Here are the pics:
Elevation profile Track from Stevens Pass to Josephine Lake Charlie in color on ski slope Talus in Wonderland Fall gold Charlie More fall colors Charlie in living color Purple Flowers Red Berries The view south as you break the ridge above the Stevens Pass ski area Mountain views Mountain Views lift Mushrooms Lake Susan Jane Pond near Lake Susan Jane junction with Icicle Creek Trail Josephine lake, Stewarts in the distance Josephine Lake Man's best friend
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HitTheTrail Member
Joined: 30 Oct 2007 Posts: 5455 | TRs | Pics Location: 509 |
Nice photos, especially when taken this time of year. If you don't like hiking under chair lifts and power lines you can drive up Mill Creek just past the lower ski lift and jump on the PCT from a short trail just off the road. You miss all the development, the ups and downs and shorten the hike by quite a bit. And still get all the good stuff.
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vintageradio Distinguished member
Joined: 15 Oct 2008 Posts: 81 | TRs | Pics Location: Woodinville, WA |
Thanks!
When I got home I was looking at the map again & noticed the route you describe. It looks like a much better way to get in there.
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HitTheTrail Member
Joined: 30 Oct 2007 Posts: 5455 | TRs | Pics Location: 509 |
vintageradio wrote: | Thanks!
When I got home I was looking at the map again & noticed the route you describe. It looks like a much better way to get in there. |
That cut-off trail is well used and not hard to spot if you know where it is. I could probably dig out the GPS coordinates if you need them.
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vintageradio Distinguished member
Joined: 15 Oct 2008 Posts: 81 | TRs | Pics Location: Woodinville, WA |
If you mean the route that connect to rd6095 and trail 1061 to Hope Lake, it is on my Green trails #176 map
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HitTheTrail Member
Joined: 30 Oct 2007 Posts: 5455 | TRs | Pics Location: 509 |
vintageradio wrote: | If you mean the route that connect to rd6095 and trail 1061 to Hope Lake, it is on my Green trails #176 map |
No, its road 6960 that goes up Mill Ck on the Green trails "Stevens Pass" map. I have marked the approximate location in red on this map.
PCT cut-off from Mill Ck
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vintageradio Distinguished member
Joined: 15 Oct 2008 Posts: 81 | TRs | Pics Location: Woodinville, WA |
Thanks - I see it now. That looks a lot more reasonable than the climb up and down the tunnel creek trail. I'll give it a try.
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Backpacker Joe Blind Hiker
Joined: 16 Dec 2001 Posts: 23956 | TRs | Pics Location: Cle Elum |
Looks to me like Charlie and Daisy the Wonder Dog could be brother and sister.
"If destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen we must live through all time or die by suicide."
— Abraham Lincoln
"If destruction be our lot we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen we must live through all time or die by suicide."
— Abraham Lincoln
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