N Cascades Hike Day 3: Cottonwood Camp - Cascade Pass

Oooh, bugs! We broke camp on Day 3 as quickly as we could. Our breakfast was cooked at the river, where the bugs left us alone and we could fill our water bottles for the last time. We had each packed 2 water bottles in addition to our camelbacks. For the upcoming upward hike, we left one bottle empty. Light and fast! 

Riverside breakfast buffet

As soon as we left Cottonwood Camp, the trial began climbing. We caught glimpses of the trail ahead, always above us. In places, the trail was rocky and open. M wore my rain hat to protect his head from the sun.

Wherever the rock fields ended, the lush vegetation started. We started again through the alpine wildflowers, across the waterfall, and into the dozen switchbacks that took us to the top of the Stehekin Valley.

Valerian

As we crested Cascade Pass from the east direction, I finally got to see the view that had been shrouded in clouds two days before. There was blue sky on both sides of the pass, and the mountains were magnificent. The final 3.7 miles back to the car were done on cruise control. My feet and knees ached, but it was almost over... and again, the mountains were the perfect distraction.

Looking down the Cascade Valley

The last few minutes of our hike were a panic - we couldn't remember where we stashed the keys. After they were found in the pocket of Marcus's rain jacket, we were able to cruise down the mountain and feast on Snow Goose ice cream cones.