1982: The Pasaytan Loop, page 3

Near Buffalo Pass

Past Buffalo Pass, the trail contours around Baron Basin and above a privately-held mining site.  I could see the buildings and the roads down below and felt grateful to be passing by at a healthy distance.  There are many, many remnants of mining history in this area of the Cascades; this is one that is still currently active.

There were sheep grazing on the upper slopes as we passed, their owners hopefully having entered into a legal grazing rights agreement with the Forest Service.  They paid us no mind as we trudged by, even when I stopped to snap a couple of quick photos.

According to what I’ve read, there was heavy mining around the Slate Creek area until about 1890, when the Klondike gold-strike drew everyone up to Alaska.  A guy named Del Hart owned one of the mines in the area and built a road up to it.  Harts Pass is named after him.  Other landmarks (such as Ballard Peak near Grasshopper Pass) were named after some of his contemporaries.

Ok … enough of the history lesson; back to the hike. 

All in all, it was the typical first day out as far as nagging injuries. My lower back was sore, as was my right trapezius muscle, I could feel the blisters building on my feet, and my Achilles tendon was surprisingly tender. Since there was nothing much to see because of the cloud cover, I found myself obsessing over these perceived injuries.  It didn't help that by this time both Micki and I were completely drenched and chilled to the bone. Stopping for more than a quick five minute break meant nothing but chills and shivers, so it was easier and warmer just to keep trudging forward.

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