Historic log hotel in Marblemount where we stayed the night before to get an early start. If you didn't know there was a National Park you might drive through here and never know - just a sign for the ranger station that's a ways off the road.
Recent cold snap and snow means we head up into "unseasonably cold" weather. Keep in mind that the Granite Creek valley that SR20 goes through is not in the National Park! Go to http://americanalps.blogspot.com/
Peaks near the pass reveal fresh snow
Easy Pass is in that notch straight ahead!
Looking back at the *unprotected* valley of Granite Creek
Bird in fresh snow
The pass is up there somewhere!
This fellow had scared-off another group of hikers, foraging just above the trail...!
Luckily we were downwind. Also I was zoomed-in for this shot.
Don't look him in the eye!
Yaaa! Don't panic!
"Hmm, I think I smell gorp!"
He left us alone and we made it up to the Pass. Wish I'd brought more polarfleece!
We finally stepped over the Park boundary at the Pass. It's an outrage that all the wild country we just climbed through is unprotected! Ragged Ridge begins here.
First look at Mt. Logan, inside NCNP, finally.
Headwaters of Fischer Creek to the SE. This area is our destination tomorrow. But first we have to drop all the way down into this basin!
Down-valley toward Logan. For a minute we thought the weather might improve.
Autumn is a great time to visit the high meadows at the sources of these valleys, with the fall colors.
Logan
Fisher Basin
Mountain ash in fall fruit
Near our camp on Fisher Creek
Next morning some blue sky again briefly after drizzle.
Fisher Basin was like being in a "bear safari!" After a while you just got used to them.
Up into upper Fisher Basin
These guys look really healthy, great to see.
If I had all day I'd climb to this pass, too!
But this is about as far as I'm going.
Another month and the tamarack will be all bright yellow!
Back down to the meadows where the marmots whistle.
Lookin' for berries!
Wouldn't ya know it'd clear up right at sunset!
This little guy watched our camp next morning.
Frozen raindrops on ash
So now I just have to climb back out of here!
Logan in high relief
Rapidly retreating glacier on Logan
In the snow near Easy Pass
Looking north across the *unprotected* valley of Granite Creek again. An uneventful descent back to the trailhead and a great weekend getaway!
