Alpine Lakes Wilderness Day 5

27 August 1986  Wednesday's hike turned out longer than we planned.  We had only planned to hike to 17 mile camp today but when we arrived at 2:00 it was no place where we wanted to spend a lazy afternoon.  So we pushed on to Deception Lakes--almost 12 miles for the day.  The extra effort was well worth it.  Deception Lakes are a series of  lakes nestled in a high alpine cirque.  It was a welcome respite after a hot  day of hiking--the hottest yet.  We had a couple long uphill grades in the sun that really drained us.  Diving into an ice cold lake was a real treat even if we did not stay in very long.  Despite the heat, today's hike was great for me.  The climb out of Deep Lake to Cathedral Pass was easy--I'm used to being a beast of burden.  We follow the high PCT route above Cle Elum Valley, crossing several glacial streams running off the glaciers flanking Mt Daniel.  Despite several signs warning us not to attempt the crossings, we found makeshift bridges on two streams and flows were low enough to pick our way across.  We overlooked the Hyas Lakes as we skirted around Cathedral Rock and work our way toward Deception Pass.  Behind us Cathedral Rock's sharp spire thrusts toward the sky.  Above us, the white mass of Lynch Glacier moves imperceptibly.  From the pass we follow the trail along the west face of Mac Peak until we came to the Deception Lakes.  The day has become overcast but still no rain.  Hard to believe this is the Pacific Northwest.