Cascades Trail Guide Recomendations?

“Been Looking for a good trail guide but am having a hard time. I know nothing about the region. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.”

“The Cascades are pretty big. What are you looking to do? When? Beckeys 3 volume set more about rock climbing but does describe routes to summits. Gauthier book is bible for Rainier. See what the Mountaineers have for sale.”

“Sorry. Moderate-strenuous backpacking. Semi-remote, treeline and or above. Lakes. 8-12mi/day for maybe 5 days. dry-ish, warmish weather. warmest month (August?).
last edited: 1/03/07 8:55:58 PM”

“of the Cascades? Wa? Or?
August is prime time, as is late July and early September. Being above treeline isn't an issue, though remote can be an issue unless you want to hit the eastern side of the Cascades.
Check the Falcon guide series, not always the best, but well done.”

“Washington. Which part? No idea. Starting from scratch. The Eastern side would be the nicest, weather wise, no?”

“How about some of these:

Copper Ridge.

Easy Ridge (no lakes).

Cutthroat Trail to Cutthroat Lake and Snowy Lakes (+ Golden Horn and Mt. Hardy)

Cascade Pass, Sahale Mountain & Trapper Lake.

Suiattle Trail to Image Lake and Lyman Lake.

Colchuck Lake to Enchanted Lakes (permits)
last edited: 1/03/07 10:27:47 PM”

“I'd say your best weather is just on the edge of the Eastern Crest. The farther north you go, the less people (because of it being so far from Seattle). USA gives some good recommendations. Anything in the Leavenworth area of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness is a winner. Almost all of the PCT is a winner.
I'd say do the Wonderland, but it is blown out and is in bad shape from the rain this fall.
Erik Molvar's book on the North Cascades is a good start.
The crest of the mts is where to be in summer. You might also look into studying up the hikes in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, in the Teanaways area on the Eastern side. Very worthy.”

“It's good to see you back, sarbar1. How's you fare in the windstorm/power outage?”

“OK. I'll get some books, maybe a map and try to ask somewhat more intelligent questions later.

;)

Thanks.”

“My guidebook choices are "Don't Waste Your Time in the North Cascades" and the "100 Hikes" series.

Another trip idea would be Ice Lakes with non-technical hikes up Seven Fingered Jack and Mt Maude.
last edited: 1/03/07 10:52:39 PM”

“Thanks USA.”

“USA, we did ok, but then we ran away to FL for a week and a half ;-)
Now back, and hoping to have SOMEWHERE to hike that isn't full of treese! Sigh :-( Even Cougar is a maze of trees. The snow last night didn't help any either.”

“The 101 hikes series is pretty good. Some hikes to look at are:

Stuart Range: Stuart Lk, 8 Mile Lake, Colchuch Lake, Ingalls Lk, the premier trip is to the upper Enchantments via Colchuck Lk, Permit required

Alpine Lakes: Necklace Valley, Tuck lake, Robin lake, walk up hikes to Mt. Daniel, Hinman, Lk Klonaqua, Peggy's Pond

Snoqualmie Pass Area: Spectacle Lake, Rampart Ridge, Venus, Cirle, Deep Lakes.

North of Stevens pass: scenic and rugged mountains, not much easy backpacking.

5 day trip: take Lady of the Lake on Lk Chelan to Holden Village, hike across the mountains to Image lake, back to Holden or on to the trailhead outside Darrington. Awesome views of Glacier Peak.”

“Thanks for the suggestions. All are greatly appreciated!

For clarification: The 100(101?) series is authored by Ira Spring & Harvey Manning, yes?”

“Yes”

“Funny, I have the same guidebooks as USA..."Don't Waste Your Time in the North Cascades" and the "100 Hikes" series. The problem now, as I see it, is what is actually still hikeable after all the damage the weather has done this year...the Cascades highway is normally closed winter...it will be interesting to see how it fared come spring...”

“Spectacle Lake is totally gorgeous. The bear poop in the lake basin was huge (In the berry patches ;-) )
You can make some great loops using the PCT in that area.”