Third Time's the Charm - Devil's Dome Loop

The Devil's Dome Loop has been on my list since 2014. I've been so intrigued by it, as well as terrified of it. With camps like "Bear Skull" and "Devil's Park" it sounded very intimidating. And even more intimidating is the 13k of elevation you'll gain if you do the whole 43 miles.

Still my girl group had it in our sights for our yearly trip in 2022, but then switched plans (Hannegan Peak) because the snow pack made me too nervous after my Boundary Trail experience. Then after tons of planning and permits it got canceled again last year due to fires.

 But the stars finally aligned. Dani had just finished a solo thru hike of the JMT and was road tripping up to Washington. She decided to start the loop without me, as I was not interested in doing the East Bank portion again. She is probably the one and only person who has done the loop by starting and ending at Devil's Junction with an expensive boat ride both in and out. But having her with me for the hard part is the only way I would have the courage to do this trail early July. 

 

Though the snow wasn't that bad...except for the glissade. It was my first one, so it made me nervous as hell (listen to me mothering poor Dani) but all said and done it was a total blast. After all our failed plans and constant itinerary changes, this trip couldn't have been better. Happy "worth the wait" trails! Trail log below for those interested. 

TRAIL LOG

*like I said, Dani started a couple days before me because she wanted to complete the loop. She camped at Canyon Creek TH after coming out at East Bank TH and road walking those three miles between the two. Lots of reports stated the trail is really bad in that section, so it made sense; plus then we could ford the creek together. 

DAY ONE: 7.2 miles/4172 elevation gain. I met Dani at 6:45 am and we walked down to face the dreading crossing. I was shocked to see such great camping here...and a bridge! Hell yes, they must have just made it - we are saved! Ummm...no says Dani, the ford is the next creek. How did I not know this after all my research? Anyway, after reaching the actual creek, we bushwacked up about 100 yards as other reports suggested. The ford scared me, but the tree cross further in scared me more. (Others we had met had crossed that way, but said the bushwack back to the trail on the other side is bad.) Once across, we only had to climb straight up and we ran right into the sign.

Our second obstacle was the waterfall with the harrowing drop off, and after that I thought we were golden, but the next day would have it's own challenges.

First night at Devil's Park

 

DAY TWO: 7.4 miles/4172 elevation gain. After spending most our time in our tents due to mosquitoes, we left early to climb up to Jackita Ridge. A couple uneventful snow crosses, and then it was time to go down. We expected to glassade (already got intel from others) but damn it was steep! And the fog wouldn't let us see where we'd end up.

After traversing a little (eek) the fog lifted enough to see we wouldn't be sliding to our deaths. From here it's a lot of ups and downs until you're back up for an amazing ridge walk to Devil's Pass. We camped about .2 shy of the intersection at a sweet but dry stealth spot. 

DAY THREE: 7.2 miles/1300 elevation gain. At the intersection we went right instead of left so I could get a few more PNT miles, as this is the START of where I could count them. (This trip got me to 460 miles! Only 40 away from my 500 goal :)) If you are only doing the loop, there is water about a half mile down towards a little lake here, but we had Sky Pilot Pass as a goal. Didn't happen though. We only made it a little past the first camp and then the trail gets bad enough to make you question your life decisions. Instead we loaded up on water, and then headed the 1.6 miles back to the intersection, then 4 more miles to the dry camp up on Devil's Dome. We got the primo spot and got to welcome all the visitors to the peak. And the sunset? To die for.

First visitor, triple crowner "Veg" (as in vegetarian)

 

We even got trail runners! Just doing the whole thing in one shot is all

DAY FOUR: 7.7 miles with a loss of around 5k so tape your knees! A fun and beautiful descent...

until you hit the brush about 2 miles from the park boundary. FYI if you are going CW and want to stop before Bear's Skull, there is a nice looking dry spot about half mile before. So, the 3.5 miles of good down, then 2 miles or so of bushy hell, then 2 miles of cruise. The lake is crystal clear and amazing to swim in while you wait for the boat if you choose that option. (Info here) Oh wait, there's the extra mile up to the parking lot after you get off the boat, which is a killer. (Always have to end with an up, right?) Dani had her car there so we didn't have to risk a hitch. 

PS We extended our trip with a stay in Twisp at Idle-A-While (meh...the price you will pay for a shower!) and then at a hipcamp in Plain near Leavenworth that I would HIGHLY recommend. Being close to Leavenworth meant Dani could apply early for a walk up permit in the Enchantments which she did end up getting. (I call her the permit queen) Unfortunately I had to go home, but I was okay because I was lucky enough to have already hiked it. Plus I have to save my knees for the Sister's Loop at the end of month! I'll keep you posted!