[DIYSteve]

Notes from August 2010. Conditions: overcast, showers, rain The Berdeen Lake Route (BLR) ascends the ridge between Bacon Creek and the N Fork of Bacon Creek, then high across a series of cirques to the 5595' saddle E of Lake Berdeen. This post includes notes of the route from the end of FS Road 1060 to the N end of Lake Berdeen. One may continue a high country traverse by exiting over Bacon Peak/Mt. Watson or over the Hagan Mtn. massif and down the Blum Access. For info re these exits, see the very popular TR Intro to the North Cascades with Mike and Tom 9-8/14-07. The BLR starts in lowland terrain at the end of FS Road 1060. Beyond there, the old roadbed has been badly eroded and overtaken by the forest.

day1.1

Travel across two side streams, then down to the bank of the E Fork Bacon Creek. Ford the E Creek, which may have high swift water in early season.

day1.2 crossing E fork bacon creek

Gain the toe of the ridge via brush, ignoring misleading flagging. We found a few remnants of an old logging trail low on the ridge, but it has been all but overtaken by the forest. The route generally follows the top of the ridge in forest and cliffy timber, sometimes bypassing right or left of the ridge top via cliff band ramps.

day1.3 low on berdeen HR

day1.5 mark & shawn working up BHR

Ying yang slugs:

day1.4 slug ying yang

Several steep spots and cliff bands, including a stretch between 2000' -- 2400' and shorter cliff steps, involve scrambling and minor exposure. At ca. 4200' the route ascends via scrambling up and through cliffy scrub cedar, topping out at ca. 4840'. Note Pt. 4940' on USGS 7.5' map.

day1.8 break at pt4940

There is a camping opportunity a bit SE of Pt. 4940 with a tiny pothole tarn (puddle?) which appears to retain water into late season. The area has evidence of bears (i.e., scat, tracks, rubbed trees). After topping out, the ridge travels N on or near the ridge crest on montane and subalpine ground to a moderately exposed notch (ca. 4980'), which requires a few scrambling moves to cross. We found a tight camping opportunity just S of the notch, but it water may not be available late season. At the notch goat may guard one's path.

day2.1

From the notch ascend the ridge crest in rocky timber, traveling nearly over a hump (est. 5300'), then make a descending oblique traverse in open ground to the low angle passage on the spur ridge of Berdeen Peak. At the passage, cross to a slab (est. 4480'; possible camp?). From the slab, work below the small tarn (ca. 4380') below a glacial remnant.

day2.4

day2.6

day2.5

From here, the travel is distinctly alpine to the 5595' saddle. We ascended a relatively solid moraine N of the glacial remnant and then traversed alpine slopes to the saddle.

day2.7

day2.8

Although Beckey reports camping opportunities at the saddle, we failed to note any inviting campsites and instead huddled in a krumholtz to wait out a squall.

day2.9 andy taking cover at 5995 saddle

day2.10 kevin above berdeen lake

From the saddle, work down SE towards Lake Berdeen, avoiding cliffs via ramps and breaks to a flattish spot at ca. 5160'.

day2.11 berdeen lake

From there, travel NW, find and cross a timbered rib, and generally work toward the N end of Lake Berdeen on talus and boulders, first via roughly contouring a couple hundred feet above the lake and then gradually traversing downward to the inlet. There are camping opportunities on the ridge (timber, heather) E of the inlet.

day2.12 soggy camp2

Lake Berdeen lies in a uniquely serene and spectacular setting. The price of admission is steep and arduous, but worth every step. In this TR, Tom put it this way:

[Schroder]

Thanks very much for this report, Steve. It'll come in handy if I ever make it there.

[iron]

[Tom]

Nice writeup. Actually, that quote of mine was from a different TR (the first trip with Ed). On the trip with SA someone had a campfire going when we arrived at Berdeen. That evoked some emotions too.

[DIYSteve]

So noted and edited

[RichP]

This is a trip that's definitely on my wish list for this year.

[Jason Hummel]

Awesome. When I was there, I sat on the shores of the upper lake and watched a bear graze and meander. It was a special moment in a very special place. I especially love the waterfalls seen on the way there from Watson. Thanks for the report on your adventure!

[Dayhike Mike]

Beautiful TR! I've heard horror stories about how hot and dry that ridgeline is, but apparently you guys figured out how to avoid the baking in the midday sun. Berdeen's beautiful color was in no way muted by the foggy conditions. In fact, I kinda like the ambiance it lends to the whole basin. Thanks again for posting, Steve!

[Matt Lemke]

That would be a great trip I'd hope to do this summer! Thank you for posting

[DIYSteve]

[fffej50]

it really is a spectacular pristine place. when we did it it took us the better part of 2 and a half days from Bacon to Berdeen and Becky indicated that it could be done in 9 hours........we went out via Blum.......

[Backpacker Joe]

Thanks Steve. Great story. Any chance someone had a GPS along the way?

[DICE]

Thanks for sharing!! Our group was there mid August the under blue skies. We came into Berdeen from Green Lake. I like the pics from the North/East side of the lake, we were on the opposite side. Wish we would have camped there, we ended up camping high on Hagan instead. The next time I am in this country, I will take the extra day(or 2) to camp and explore the area.

[DIYSteve]

[Backpacker Joe]

Mostly I was hoping to see a mapped version of your route. Its fun to look at those.