[Mtn Dog]

Here's a tribute to all my fellow NWHikers who were also hiking, backpacking, and climbing north of Rainy Pass over the weekend. I'm sure I walked by you, yielded the trail to you, maybe even told you how far it was to the Snowy Lakes using my GPSr. Here's to you! LEG PWR and I couldn't have asked for better weather for a hike in an area we never get to see enough of. We started hiking at 10:40 AM and passed several parties on the way to Cutthroat Pass. At the pass there were four mountain bikers with their bikes taking a lunch break and bike tracks on the Cutthroat Lake trail up to the fork. The traverse to Granite Pass gave some of the 2,000' elevation gain back right at the pass but also opened up a whole sea of new views to the north across the Swamp Creek Valley. Golden Horn and Tower Mtn dominate the view north while the Needles and Delancy Ridge lead your eyes to the Pasayten in the east. Methow Pass loomed in the distance so we continued on, reaching our goal at 3:00 PM. We meandered around taking pics and then started the long walk back. On the way out we passed a bunch of backpackers making their way in hoping to reach Snowy Lakes while campsites were still available. Returning to Cutthroat Pass brought alpenglow across the peaks to the south and last light was enough to return to the car without headlamps by 7:00 PM, dropping the last 5 miles in 90 mins. From the trail I could see the helicopter getting water from Rainy Lake and dumping it on the smoldering fire near Lewis Lake. I also saw a headlamp on the Maple Pass Trail across the way at the same time.

Slopes up to Cutthroat Pass

HIlls above Cutthroat Pass

Lit up Larch

Expansive views awaited...

Towering over the trail

Porcupine Peak

Silverstar Mtn over Granite Pass

Mebee Pass & Jack Mtn

Azurite Peak & Golden Horn

Mt Hardy from Methow Pass

High enough for Larches

Tower Mtn from near Methow Pass

Peaks and Passes

Snagtooth & Kangaroo Ridges

Hardy - Golden Horn - Tower

Silverstar to Liberty Bell

Total mileage: 21 miles RT Total Ascent: 3,650' Rainy Pass: 4,800' Cutthroat Pass: 6,800' Granite Pass: 6,200' Methow Pass: 6,600'

Google Earth GPSr Track

TOPO! Map