Peggy's Pond

Getting to Peggy's is mostly straight forward. The first two miles steadily climbs through the forest switchbacking periodically. Turning right at the first junction 1.8 miles into your hike will get you to Squaw Lake in short order. There are several campsites here that are perfect for lunch or family camping.

For the next two miles, your trail continues to climb slowly up the ridge line towards Cathedral Pass and the junction with the Pacific Crest Trail. Rock outcrops on the right give views of the Wenatchee mountains to the east and Tucquala Meadows below. Cathedral Rock occasionally pokes its andesitic head above the trees straight ahead, beckoning you to move along. Consider, as you gawk at this sheer, rocky monolith that it was first climbed in the 1890s!

At 5600 feet, join the Pacific Crest Trail briefly. Turn south towards Mexico (don't worry, you're not going all the way there). In 0.2 miles the ridge crest is reached. Campsites exist along the ridge here south of the pass. The well-groomed, wide and easy nature of the trail to this point may now be entirely forgotten.

At the first switchback down towards Deep Lake the spur trail to Peggy's departs. The sign noting, "Not Suitable for Stock" is an understatement to say the least. The trail is heavily used, which means that it is at least fairly easy to follow. It is however steep and quite narrow in spots. If you explore the slopes above Peggy's on the opposite side of this valley, look for this trail as it skirts the bottom edge of the talus slope of Cathedral. It is quite impressive.

This mile long stretch of trail has sheer drop offs, loose rock, and user-built-no-switchback stretches which may test your nerves and abilities. Just when you've uttered your umpteenth curse of the loose and steep terrain you reach the top and voila--there is Peggy's! There are several larger campsites directly around the lake. There are also several sites and trails which have been clearly marked for restoration by the forest service, please be considerate. More distant sites are equally beautiful and have the benefit of increased privacy. The forest service privy is located a quarter-mile beyond Peggy’s Pond.

For those with time and a need to explore there are days worth of rambling from these camps. Hyas Creek glacier is on the eastern aspect of Mount Daniel and to the west of Peggy’s. This delicate alpine landscape is home to cascading waterfalls, glacial pools with their flour-like silt, monkey flowers and dozens of other wildflowers in profusion across the stark white rocks, and braided rivers rewriting the landscape as though a child were playing in this great cirque.

Dried up lake bottoms are evident where meanders once took water, perhaps they will fill again in decades to come. If you venture here, please do not build wind blocks or fire rings, and be conscientious of where you step; sticking to solid rock is best.

Climbs of Cathedral Rock and Mount Daniel should be left to experienced mountaineers as both are significant undertakings. The southeast shoulder of Daniels, which ascends directly from the west side of Peggy’s Pond, is a fun ridge line romp for the energetic ones in your group.

For those with an interest, there is a cabin remnant to visit southwest of Peggy's. Head southwest from Peggy’s towards smaller ponds noted on maps. At the outlet of these ponds continue SSE, in ~.25 mile this trail will rejoin the Peggy's Pond trail. A large cabin's foundation overlooks Deep Lake along this stretch.