Devil's Thumb from Galene Lakes TH, WA

On a Sunny September Weekend 14 of us started out to scale Devil's Thumb in North cascades National Park from Canada. The first day was to get us to our camping spot at the Galene lakes. A well maintained hiking trail goes to the Lakes from a proper trailhead.... our leader however knew of a shortcut ( to cut out a flat 3km walk through forest) ....so we parked at the first waypoint on the map and headed down an old logging road to the Skagit River. Icy Hip deep water wakened everyone who was still sleeping. Once across flagging led back to the trail proper which shortly after started to gain elevation. 4 hours later we reached the middle Galene lake and set up camp. In the afternoon some swam, others scrambled up a nearby bump to get a view of the next day's objective and feast on blueberries. The way to Devil's thumb is a route..ie no set trail although on can find a path on and off. The first goal was to hit Monument 70 the border marker between Canada and US. From there we gained the long ridge leading to the Thumb... some up and downs but very scenic. We had a snack just before the scrambling began. One can go east and up or straigt up. The straight up version was easier as we found out on descent. Down a loose slope, across a talus slope and up the final and most fun slope of the thumb. For the last part we came across cairns on and off but basically followed the easiest way up we could find. No ropes needed. Helmets a must and be careful of rockfall from your buddies above you so exercise due care. This area is remote and you should be comfortable with your route finding and map skills.

2018-07-14 HAZ_Hikebot