Routes and rocks; hiker's guide to the North Cascades from ... - USGS

SUIATTLE RIVER 31mon in schists are micas: biotite (black mica), muscovite (white mica),and chlorite (green mica). These are glassy-looking minerals which occuras thin, bendable flakes or books of thin flakes. They are easily scratchedwith the fingernail and characteristically split into finer and finer flakes(Fig. 10).The trail southwestward from Mica Lake zigzags up past a numberof meadows; these were once tarns but are now filled in. They makeinteresting but woodless camping places. The trail touches the ridgecrest (6150-10.9) at the junction with the FIRE MOUNTAIN HIGHROUTE. Around a rocky corner is FIRE CREEK PASS (6350-11.0). 11.0The trail continues down to the White Chuck River as the FIRECREEK PASS TRAIL.DOLLY-DUSTY HIGH ROUTEDifficult4800-foot climb2650-foot descent7 miles Figure 119 h ours Conglomerate"O'er many a frozen,Many a fiery Alp,Rocks, caves, lakes, ferns,bogs, dens, and shades of death."Milton, Paradise LostThis high route, a link in the timberline circuit of Glacier Peak, takesthe hiker from Milk Creek through barren wilderness of glaciated upperVista and Dusty Creeks and across the meadows and goat pastures onGamma Ridge. The Forest Service is now building a trail that ultimatelywill traverse the high route described here between Milk Creek and themeadows at the head of Dolly Creek.