Photos From Cady Ridge Loop Backpacking

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Lake Sally Ann is a popular overnight stop for Pacific Crest Trail hikers as well as those hiking the Cady Ridge Loop.

In conjunction with a Seattle Times story written by Jeff this week, here are some additional photos from his backpacking trip in the central Cascades.  The trail begins near Lake Wenatchee and is an excellent one or two night backpacking trip.

The trail follows old growth forest for a few miles then climbs steeply before meeting up with the Pacific Crest Trail.  It follows the PCT a few more miles to Lake Sally Ann then rides more ridges until turning right and descending into Meandering Meadows.  All told about 16 miles.

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A through hiker navigates a switchback on the Pacific Crest Trail in the watershed above Lake Wenatchee

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Lots of high country wildflowers and plenty of huckleberries – in fact this trail held some of the best foraging I’ve ever encountered

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The reward for all that hiking: lovely Lake Sally Ann

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A large marmot guards his den in Meandering Meadows. The shrill whistles of their warning calls were a constant reminder of their presence.  When you startled them, the would barrel down the hillsides like a dump truck.

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The views from this section of the PCT are incredible. Everywhere you turn you see mountain ranges, glaciers and plunging meadows. Since you bob along the tops of the ridges, it’s a lot of payoff for little work.

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Wildflowers greet hikers as they head into Meandering Meadows – a popular overnight stop. The clump to trees at the base of the dip is the camping area.

For more information on this hike, see the Washington Trails Association’s website

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