Day 3 Jackita Ridge, Devil's Dome, Ross Lake, & Ruby Creek loop (Pasayten Wilderness, North Cascades, W

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 3 (Monday, 0720-1240. Devils Dome to Rainbow Point at Ross Lake) --- about 9 miles with 5000 ft elev loss & 100 ft elev gain.

Slept about 4 hours. Started strength 7 and ended with 3. Started spirit at 10 (scale 1-10 best) and ended at 10.

Jay and I started descending more than 9 miles hiking with 5000 ft elev loss while Kevin was sumitting two more peaks and joined us at the camp site. Kevin had amazing stamina peaking a couple of peaks each day. The trail had lots of blow down trees and had full of over grown bushes. We were busy taking some pictures at a junction and missed the turn to the East Bank trail. We went down to the Boater's Camp and realized that we missed the turn and needed to be on the upper trail. It was a boat dock where people could take a water taxi back to the Resort near the Canyon Creek trailhead. Since we got there at 1130, if Kevin was there, we might have taken the taxi at 1330 and came home on Monday !!! Only one couple with 2 dogs were taking the taxi and offered us a free ride (up to 6 people at $85).

The highlight of the day was not much, maybe, taking a nap and dipping in the Lake at the camp site, Rainbow Point. The trail along the Ross Lake was neat and well maintained. One can imagine that lots of work were done to make such trails. When Kevin arrived at the camp site at 1630, we dipped in the Lake. It was cold but felt good and refreshing. We made a camp fire but was not particularly pleasing since the weather was warm. We turned in early at 2030. The night was warm and nice (hardly any bugs and little breeze).

28 miles (1800 ft elev). East Bank Trail.
31 miles (CAMP) Camping at Rainbow Point, Ross Lake.

Sunrise at Devils Dome (our camp site)