Upper Eagle Lake in the early morning light.
Suzanne, Barry and four-paw buddy, Cooper, were out on the trails again. This time to the Chelan Sawtooths and the well-used Eagle Lakes trailhead outside of the tiny town of Methow and a trail that’s a jumping off place for a wide variety of destinations by multiple users. They did an out and back overnight trip – about six miles from the trailhead to Upper Eagle Lake and 2500′ of gain (12 miles roundtrip). A relatively easy grade and probably doable for families – even a mom or dad carrying a little one in a backpack. Upper Eagle Lake is easier to access than Lower Eagle. Barry and Suzanne decided to add some adventure after setting up camp at Eagle Lake, by continuing up and over Horsehead Pass and down to Boiling Lake – adding another six miles roundtrip back to Eagle and another 1400′ of gain. After a lovely evening – enjoyed with a few local mosquitoes, but only two other humans – they were up early to head out. But, about a half-mile from the car, they took another little side-trip to Crater Lake – inaccessible to motorbikes or mountain bikes – on a steepish trail through cool rock slabs and lush meadows, for a another seven miles and 2000′ of gain roundtrip. In all, more than 5500′ of elevation and 25 miles to this beautiful area of the Sawtooths. For a complete report and pictures, click here. This area will be ablaze with color during Larch season in several weeks.
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