[BarbE]

This was a WTA Back Country Response Team (BCRT) log-out trip through an area I’ve wanted to visit for some time. The 5 day loop started with a fun boat ride up Ross Lake to Devil’s Junction.

early morning boat ride up Ross Lake

dock at Devil's Junction

Our strong four person team carried all the personal gear and sawing equipment plus plenty of water, since we had little information where we’d find the first watersource on this rather dry side of the loop. Progress was painfully slow due to the shear number of fallen trees.

getting started

more obstacles

some more

yikes!

will it bind and where will it fall?

Fortunately our trail leader knew the area well and led us to a secret flat spot along the very steep and brushy hillside where we set up camp not far from a stream.

looking into the crater-views from first night's camp

After another hard day of sawing on day two we reached a delightful camp that evening about a mile above Dry Creek Pass. In two days we had covered a mere 6 miles and cut around 40 trees. Probably the reason why we had the place to ourself. Unfortunately, without a big budget for some serious brush work this amazing trail might disappear in a few years. Way more effort is required than a volunteer group can accomplish. Anybody please feel free to bring a hand clipper and blaze a little trail.

second night's camp

Devil's Dome Loop July 31

Jack Mountain

peaks and clouds

sunset above camp

Devil's Dome sunset

Day three was the reward for all the hard work. A stunningly beautiful hike to Devil’s Dome and spectacular ridge walk to Devil’s Pass. Plenty of time to take pictures and ooh and aah about the scenery.

Devil's Dome July 25-31

early morning

dewey Phlox

Martin below Devil's Dome

hard hats on Devil's Dome

Devil's Dome flower show

Gary, our fearless leader

Jack playing peak a boo

Martin on the way to Devil's Pass

a fun easy job along the way

We made camp that night in the woods above a valley covered with avalanche debris at North Fork Devil’s Creek and Anacortes Crossing.

blazing trail near camp

The morning of Day four steep switch backs lead us up and across a huge scree field and a short and rather dicey snow crossing. A challenging task for our leader carrying the big saw.

heading for the steep scree fields

Gary below on the scree field

don't slip! you'll break the cross cut saw

Once we reached Jackita Ridge we walked through fabulous flower meadows all the way down to Devil’s Park. We all agreed, if this is Devil’s Country, we need to start sinning.

let the flower show begin

Jackita Ridge walk

Jack and Crater

walk down to Devil's Park

flowers along the way and no skeeters

flower girl

Lupin field

We continued on to MacMillan Park were we set up tents in a hurry to escape the swarming hordes of mosquitoes, which surprisingly hadn’t been a problem at all until then. A side trip on day five to Crater Lake in the morning had us clearing a few more minor blowdowns and enjoy an early lunch at the lake.

easy work on the way to Crater Lake

Crater Lake and Crater Mountain hiding behind waterfalls

leaving Crater Lake

After that, a few more cuts along the steep downhill trail toward Canyon Creek until we reached the Pasayten Wilderness Boundary. Large blow downs on the last half mile hopefully await professional crews with chain saws and blasting equipment. In total we cut approx 80 trees, covered about 30 miles, gained 10000’plus elevation and accomplished all we set out to do.

I can smell Hamburger, Fries and Milkshakes at "Good Food" in Marblemount

An arduous but most rewarding adventure with fabulous scenery, great company and excellent leadership.

[whitebark]

Wow, thanks for doing all that work!

[lopper]

Excellent report and labors. Thanks for both.

[Ingunn]

Thanks for the work and for these amazing photos...gorgeous!!

[gb]

Boy that is impressive. You guys did a noble deed. Looks like a great hike and it is very surprising it was mostly bug free.

[ree]

Gorgeous pics, BarbE!! Such an inspirational trip report. I'm digging the Ross Lake area a lot. Thanks so much for pitching in!

[iron]

[MtnManic]

Gorgeous photos! I've done *part* of that trail (up Deception Creek to Devils Dome & out Jackita) and well I remember the steep switchbacks. I never saw flowers like that, though. Thanks to the "trail crew" and for the photos.

[Magellan]

Amazing amount of work done! I can't wait to get home and see those pictures on the big screen.

[Snowdog]

well done! makes me tired just reading about it..... I won't post it a 2nd time, but the Devil's Dome pic is a winner.

[sticky buns]

Great photos, Barb! I like the work ones and love the Dry Creek Pass sunset pics.

[Foist]

I'll be a little bitter if your Jack Mountain shots make the calendar, since I submitted a couple similar ones last year. But only a little. You had more flowers. THANK YOU FOR THE HARD WORK!!!! That trail up from Ross Lake to Dry Creek Pass is an absolute disaster. The biggest reason, which I'm sure you know but didn't mention in your report, is the Japanese beetle infestation that is rampant on the slopes around Ross Lake. So many trees dying and falling. I recognize that steep snow patch! It's the SNOWFIELD OF DEATH from last year!!

[silence]

[BarbE]

[raising3hikers]

Agree, the Devils Dome flower show is Nice work