Day 3 – Down to the Valley We Go

[elevation = 2128m (6982 ft); day 3 distance = 0 km (0 miles)]

So about that forest fire off far to the north. We woke up this morning, and well that magical view we had was now a cloud of smoke.

The air smelled like a forest fire, but we new we were far enough away to still be safe. Just crazy thinking how the winds can change so easily and all of a sudden you are in the smoke. So without any hesitation, we packed up our gear, loaded up our bags and made away down from our oasis.

6:40AM Breakfast & the Descent Down –  Part 1

As we meander our way down the rocky path, we make a pit stop at our favorite little watering hole to eat some breakfast and fill up on our water storage devices. The view at this spot is very different than yesterday considering the cloud of smoke we are currently in.

Then we begin the great descent through the alpine tundra like area where we climb down the mountain. About an hour in, we loop up at the mountain behind us and we see the red sun looming over the mountain side. When we look forward we see the mountains just below the smoke line. An eerie but oddly beautiful view. Yet satisfying to know we are almost out of the smoke.

Continuing down the trail, we pass an unmarked split in the trail. To continue your descent down, bear left. The trail to the right will take you to another camping spot known as Bear Skull Shelter, where there is also a spring to get water at. [elevation = 1836m (6025 ft); day 3 distance = 2.1 km (1.3 miles)]

Bearing left, we traverse into the meadows where we are given a tease of Ross Lake in the far distance. We then enter another forested region and pass by another camping spot at Dry Creek Pass [elevation = 1775m (5825 ft); day 3 distance = 2.6 km (1.6 miles)]. Descending down the steep grade, the views open up around us on the west and south sides. We pass a creek, and then another creek as we cut through the overgrown bush along the trail. At 6.4km in we cross another stream. Feeling like we are in the wild, we cut through the bush climbing down the never ending switch backs. The view around you is quite beautiful. Although at the time of our hike, the peak of Jack Mountain was hidden in the cloud of smoke. I can visually imagine how much more dramatic the views would have been if there was no smoke. Trying not to be too distracted with the views around us, I try to get an eye on where my footing is, as we are loosing elevation very quickly.

At 10:10AM we pass the Pasayten Wildnerness sign at an elevation = 823m (2700 ft) [day 3 distance = 10 km (6.2 miles)]. At this point, we have re-entered the North Cascades National Park. (Note if you plan to camp from this point on wards, you do require a permit from the Ranger Station) At this point, the climb down seems never ending. Having seen the lake from not to long ago, I keep thinking in my head we are almost there. This continues on as we cut in and around and around through the forested trail.

Finally, at 10:41AM, a mere 11.6km into the day, we come to the junction with the signage markings. We are actually almost here! The junction notes the different trails you can lead off too. Devil’s Pass, which we just descended down. Hozomeen Trail in the other direction. The East Bank Trail, which if you plan to camp over night at Devil’s Junction and continue the full loop, is the trail you continue along back to the Parking Lot/ Trailhead. The direction we are took was down to Devil’s Junction Camp.

10:50AM Devil’s Junction Camp + Ross Lake + Taxi Boat – Part 2

[elevation = 495m (1625 ft); day 3 distance = 12.3 km (7.6 miles)]

Ross Lake. What a beauty. Upon walking to the boat dock just off the main camp, you cannot help but feel enchanted by it’s beauty. Even with the forest fire smoke hiding the tips of the mountains around us, the view and the air off the lake is surreal. The water at Ross Lake is clear glacial run-off. So clear you can see old tree stumps below the lake levels and all the fishies below.

Side Note – if you want to complete the full loop, and like us get to Devil’s Junction before 11AM, I would recommend getting a camping permit at the next camp down the trail. This would be Rainbow Point, which is 4.8km south. This would lessen the amount of hiking you do the next day. But don’t leave Devil’s Junction before jumping in the lake. Trust me after hiking for 3 days, the pristine water is refreshing and feels like that perfect ice bath on your muscles.

As noted above, jumping in the lake was a highlight I was looking forward too on the hike. After enjoying the water, we laid on the dock to let the sun dry us off. While we waited for our boat to pick us up [we made the reservation for 3:00PM as we did not know how long it would take us on the last day to get down to the camp], we met another couple who, like us, made a reservation with the taxi boat. Fortunately, there’s was at 1:00PM. We asked if we could split the costs with them and join them on the earlier ride back. #score

Feeling somewhat cleaner, we happily enjoyed doing nothing while laying on the dock reminiscing over the past couple of days. 1:00PM rolled around and boom, we loaded ourselves and our bags up onto the taxi boat and off we went. The taxi boat ride was actually quite fun, as you get to see all the different camps along Ross Lake and the beautiful inlets you can go explore. 25 minutes later we get dropped off at Ruby Arm/ Boat Drop Off Spot is called Ruby Creek Junction.

1:20PM Ruby Creek Junction – Part 3

[elevation = 495m (1625 ft); day 3 distance = 12.3 km (7.6 miles)]

Yeah, still putting down the distance calc. Ruby Creek Junction is the closest boat drop off point to the East Bank Trailhead Parking. We learned we still had another 5.3km (3.3 miles) to go. K who thought he could finish the last portion in his flip flops reluctantly put his hiking boots back on.

Veering up a bit of a climb and into the bush, we reach a junction point with multiple arrows indicating where to go. At this junction, we veered right and followed the Devil’s Park Trail as this lead back to our parking spot. So we continued on. At this point, the 5.3km felt like a never ending mission of up small ups and down and veering in then out. (I just wanted to have a beer at this point). But the walk back is quite beautiful, with pretty glimpses of the lake which disappear as you traverse upstream to the glacial rivers that feed down to the lake. Alas, we reach the pedestrian bridge crossing and take in a few last moments of where we started and the clear water running below us.

2:20PM at the car, bags dropped. Home time.

[elevation = 551m (1808 ft); day 3 distance = 17.5 km (10.9 miles)]