1982: The Pasaytan Loop, page 14

Frosty Pass

Thursday, September 16.
5:50 PM. Rock Creek.

And it was a MARVELOUS day to hike! The sun was out, the sky was blue, and it was warm. Talk about an unbeatable combination!

I am currently sitting here at a nice spot (right off the Pasaytan River trail) just above Rock Creek, waiting to eat my lasagna. Not just lasagna, but I am also having more Grape Kool-Aid and pudding for dessert. Talk about wonderful!

We left Hopkins Lake at 10 AM and nearly ended up going to Ross Lake after all. I almost had one of my world-famous mind changes, but Micki wouldn’t have anything to do with it.

The trip up to Frosty Pass wasn't nearly as bad as the map had led me to believe (lots of switchbacks).  We were at the pass by 11:45 AM. Just on the other side, I had to stop and put moleskin on both Achilles tendons, as I have a dandy set of matching blisters.

Dead Lake Debris

We went by Frosty Lake, which was poorly named.  It’s a shallow pond that reportedly has lily pads growing in it. Soon afterwards we passed Dead Lake – which was exceptionally well named. The lake is wedged into a narrow defile and lined with a considerable amount of dead, twisted trees.  Maybe they were deposited there as the result of an old avalanche.  Many, however bore smooth cuts from saw blades.

The trail passed through a particularly bleak section of forest plastered with thousands of spider webs and silky threads.  I dubbed it ‘Gossamer Forest.’ And since I hate spiders, we picked up our pace through this section.

Neither lake was appealing for camping, so we opted to push on another three miles to the Pasaytan River. We were there in no time. While passing the Pasaytan “airstrip" we met and had a chat with Elizabeth, the local Wilderness Ranger.

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