[mbravenboer]

We hiked West Cady Ridge yesterday with our family (12 week old baby and a visiting grandparent). We hiked to benchmark mountain last year and had fond memories of the forest, and the early views on the ridge. We thought the hike was very suitable for visitors who can walk about 6 miles and want to experience the Washington cascades. The forest is nice and green and the trail crosses (the same) stream a few times, with nice flowers and skunk cabbage. The switch backs in the forest were never boring (as opposed to Blanca Lake, for example, where the forest is not nearly that nice). The most interesting aspect currently is the snow situation: there was just a tiny bit of fresh snow from 4000ft from the storm that arrived Tuesday. This dusting is very quickly melting, probably already gone by the time of writing. From 4500ft the amount of snow increased, and this snow was older and more consolidated. This was partially due to the elevation, but also because the trail switches slightly the northern aspect here. We hiked until the first 4700ft bump on the ridge, which had a great view of the Monte Cristo group, Sloan, and Glacier Peak. Crossing over to the south side, there was a nice view in the distance of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Summary: you can hike the West Cady Ridge now to good views without hitting substantial snow.

Skykomish River at the trailhead

Trillium

Trillium

We found one lonely Fairyslipper (Calypso) along the West Cady Ridge Trail

Blueberries in the making. We appreciate the effort.

Beautiful light in the forest

Spire Mountain with Bear Mountain in front

Glacier Peak

Early view of the Monte Cristo group (Columbia left, Kyes right)

Meadow close to Pt 4761. Less snow on the southern slopes

Impression of southern slope snow coverage at 4700ft

Sloan Peak (left) and Pugh (right)

Some panoramas:

Panorama of Kyes Peak and Sloan Peak, with Pugh rightmost

Panorama of the Monte Cristo group and Sloan Peak

Liesl had an awesome time checking out the forest during our feeding breaks:

Liesl

Liesl

Normally I post no persons, but had to share just a little bit of cuteness:

Jake during his first feeding in the forest

Shan Shan, Jake and Martin with Monte Cristo group

All photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bravenboer/sets/72157652474158132/

[Foist]

Nice report! We hiked basically to the same point last July 4th (with our 2 year old), and encountered the same snow conditions. Nuts!

[Distel32]

Nice MB! Congrats again on the growing family.

[RichP]

Looks like a perfect family outing. I think I'll haul my little one up there soon. Congrats on the new hiker.

[mbravenboer]

Thanks all Fun link Foist! Indeed interesting to see such similar snow conditions from different months ...