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Trail marker: a yellow dot

By turning to the right at Falcon Spring, you can take the Cascade Link from which numerous trails branch. While this trail is generally climbing as it heads to the northeast, it's a considerably gentler climb than either the White Dot or White Cross trails. A much less traveled trail, Cascade Link is quieter and less crowded and it's relatively narrow, usually allowing only two people to walk abreast and sometimes forcing you to go single file. (Note: Whether it's because of this Web site or for some other reason, all of the trails to the east of the White Dot Trail were unusually crowded in 1997.) The trail passes through mixed forest, its base mostly soil, though it goes over several easily crossed streams where you have to step on rocks. (This can be very annoying during the black fly and mosquito seasons in May and June. And in springtime, you may find it quite wet as the trail sometimes seems to be actually following the stream beds!) After crossing one such stream, it turns to the left and follows the stream upward for a couple hundred yards, climbing relatively steeply compared to its earlier and later stretches. Because of its several connecting trails, you have to watch the signs and check your map to be sure you stay on the trail or turn onto the one you're interested in. There are two trails of interest to us: Red Spot Trail and Spellman Trail.

If you elect to stay on the Cascade Link, it continues a reasonably gentle traverse upward toward the Pumpelly Ridge. Without seeming to have climbed high enough, you suddenly find yourself at the junction with the Pumpelly Trail. Turn left here to go to the summit. See the section on the Pumpelly Trail to see how to continue your climb.

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Last update and copyright © 31 July 1998 by Wayne Brink, email: