Back to 4 days of backpacking Jackita Ridge, Devil's Dome, Ross Lake, & Ruby Creek loop (Pasayten Wilderness, North Cascades, WA) (3-6 Sept 2011)  

Day 2 (Sunday 0840-1830. Devil's Park to the Devil's Dome (6900 ft elev)) --- about 13 miles with 4200 ft elev gain.

Slept about 4 hours (it was windy).  Started strength 9 and ended with 3.  Started spirit at 10 (scale 1-10 best) and ended at 10.

We started out slow at 0840 for the long day.  We were not sure where we would camp either at Skyline Camp (10 miles day) or Devil Dome (13 miles day).  It was a good decision to stay at the Devils Dome which was way up at 6900 ft elev and had the spectacular views of the Jack Mountain and other splended views of the Cascades mountains along with the sizzling sunset/sunrise views.  

The highlights of the days were numerous by time:  

a. The wild flowers were on display in a hugh open meadows and on the mountain slops.  
b. Summited two peaks (7200 ft elev) with full pack via off trails following Kevin while Jay took the regular trail.
c. Steep 1000 ft drop (heavy pounding on all joints) and up 1500 ft in relatively steep hill (quads pain).
d. Spectabular North Cascades sunset views at the Camp site.
e. Observed Amazing stars shows at mid-night.
f. Jay & Kevin opted to sleep under the star.  I opted to sleep in my own tent since it was windy.  

14 miles (6200 ft elev). Anacortes Crossing trail.
16 miles (6100 ft elev). Devils Pass.
22 miles (6900 ft elev). Camping at Devils Dome.

It was a long 10 hours day, mostly exposed to the hot sun in a high country.  Thanks to Jay waiting 1.5 hours for us (Kevin & I) who summited two prominent peaks along the Jackita Ridge.  It was an excellent experience for me following Kevin with a full pack climbing and scrambing up two peaks.  I found out later that my backpack was way too heavy doing such scrambling (30 Lbs full pack for Kevin, 45 Lbs for me).  After the 2nd peak down the ridge, we met up with Jay and continued on our backpacking for the day.  After dropping 1000 ft elev and started ascending 1500-2000 ft elev, my body was getting exhausted by having pains on both quads (Mt Hood experience hiking to the base camp was worse!).  I had to slow down but moved steadily.  I was showing typical of dehydration sympton: little dizziness and slight headache although I drank over 5L of water.  When we got to the Camp site, Devils Dome (6900 ft elev), I felt exhausted but hungry which was a good sign.

After a good hot meal, we watched the gorgeous sunset and woked up around 1230 am to see the stars, and then we woke up to see the sunrise.  Slept a few hours for the night but totally worth it.  

Devils Park to a Junction (about 3 miles):

Summiting two peaks:

To Devils Pass and Devils Dome (our camp site): 

Sunset at Devils Dome

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