I mentioned yesterday my hike on the Ross Dam Trail in the North Cascades in February of 2023. I had never driven up to where SR 20 (North Cascades Highway) closes in the winter due to avalanche risks but I took the day to go up and check it out.
I stopped at the roadside bathrooms at Gorge Creek and walked to where the road crosses over and gives you a view of the waterfall. The creek was partially frozen where it swirled around the rocks in its path and the water pooled was a faint mint color that spoke of glaciers.
The road was closed at MP 134 and there were a couple cars in the parking lot for the Ross Dam Trail. I didn’t see anyone but imagined they were beyond the gate looking for snow enough to cross country ski on.
I did have my snowshoes with me but the snow looked compact as far as I could see up the road and that didn’t appeal to me. Instead, I followed the Ross Dam Trail into the forest. This was a new trail to me, typically there are way too any people here in the summer and fall when I drive over Washington Pass.
The trail crossed over Happy Creek (love that name!) which was frozen in artistic designs like Gorge Creek had been. Can you guess the temperatures today were pretty low?
That wasn’t the only thing that was frozen. There had been a thaw-freeze cycle and the trail itself was an ice rink. Thankfully, I had my microspikes to put on so I could stay upright.
It wasn’t long before I had views of Ross Dam and the surrounding mountains like Colonial and Pinnacle Peaks to the north and Sourdough Mountain across from the dam. It was a great payoff for such a short hike and I can see why it would be popular.
The trail intersected with the Pacific Northwest Trail at .75 miles and I took a left on the gravel road to continue down to the dam.
Dams like this really are scars on the landscape but it is hard not to be impressed with the engineering it takes to create them. I felt rather small in comparison…
It did allow me to stand in the middle of the lake, though, and look up into the North Cascades at Jack Mountain and Ross Lake Resort.
It was possible to walk all the way across the dam and continue on the Ross Lake Resort or Pacific Northwest Trail for awhile. I turned around at 1.25 miles from the trailhead or .5 miles from the Ross Dam Trail intersection.
Crossing back over the dam, I walked past the intersection with the Ross Dam Trail and followed the Happy Panther or PNT to a shelter and boat launch. It was perfect for a snack break and thankfully the bathroom was open.
You can tell you are on a long distance trail when you look in the garbage can and see this:
By the time I got back to my car it was a 3.2 mile hike, not bad for spontaneity along the Pacific Northwest Trail on a winter day.
If you would like other ideas for day hiking the PNT, you can check out my other trips here:
Lizard and Lily Lakes, North Butte Via Alternate Incline Trail
Boulder Creek Campground to Appleton Pass on Pacific Northwest Trail
North Chuckanut, Lost Lake, Rock Trail and Upper Ridge Loop
North Coast Trail: Rialto Beach, Hole In The Wall and Chilean Memorial Quileute
Directions: Drive east on SR 20 from Newhalem for 14.0 miles to the trailhead parking on the left at milepost 134. The trailhead has parking for 4 cars plus two ADA parking spots.
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