John Guilford's Hikes

Date: 2026-10-13

Location: Cutthroat Pass

People: (including myself): Happy Hikers

				Alt.	Miles
Rainy Pass Trailhead:	8:25	4878	0
Cutthroat Pass:		11:00	6827	5
Knoll:			11:15	6900	5.1
Leave Pass:		12:00	6827	5.3
Junction to lake trail:	2:00	4964	9
Junction to lake trail:	2:45	4920	9.8
Cutthroat Trailhead:	3:25	4476	11.5

We had arranged things with others in our group to allow a through hike.  We started at Rainy Pass and went to the Cutthroat Pass trailhead, while they did the opposite.  We planned an early start (even if it meant getting up at 4:30 AM or earlier) in part to try to get parking.  That may have worked as there was plenty of parking in the lot when we arrived. 

The day was cool and mostly cloudy though we did get the sun peeking through at times. 

The trail from Rainy Pass to Cutthroat Pass is part of the PCT.  Both it and the trail up from the Cutthroat Trailhead were really nice, mostly even and easy to hike on. 

While climbing up from Rainy Pass to Cutthroat Pass, we got some great views down valley.  There were occasional thin patches of snow in places (not on the trail).  One of us scraped some up to make a couple small snowmen. 

The larch were past peak, with many of them beginning to shed needles.  With the cloud cover, the color of the larch wasn't as spectacular as it could have been. 

It was cool starting off at Rainy Pass, but the climb soon warmed us and layers began to come off.  At Cutthroat Pass we took a short detour up to the knoll to the south of the pass for some extra views. 

It was a bit windy at the pass, so we retreated a short ways to the west where we found a large rock which made a great place for lunch.  Here we added layers we had removed earlier. 

As we were finishing lunch, members of our group who were hiking the opposite direction began to appear. 

From the pass you can see down to Cutthroat Lake far below.  The trail from the pass to the lake pretty much keeps the lake in view as you switchback down the hillside.  There was no snow on this side, and the terrain was somewhat different.  On this part of the trail we came across a number of mountain bikers, some going up, some coming down. 

Cutthroat Lake was pretty low water, judging by the look of it.  We spent about 45 minutes wandering around the east side of the lake and taking photos. 

On the trail leading from the lake back to the main trail, we got to cross a pretty log bridge (with a handrail even!) over Cutthroat Creek.  The trail from the lake to the trailhead is not as steep as the trail up to the pass, though even that seemed to be a comfortable grade for hiking due to the switchbacks. 

View from way up to the pass

View through the trees from way up to the pass

View on way down from pass

Cutthroat Lake

Cutthroat Lake reflection showing some larch in color