Snow Lake

 

The sun was out, more or less, a little less than more, so I headed up to Snow Lake.  I didn’t actually stop at Snow Lake, but headed up to a couple of little lakes near it. The area has several small lakes lwith a stream wandering between them and then eventually going over a thirty foot waterfall. I like them because this time of year they are surrounded by tall golden grasses.  The grasses were a foot shorter than normal due to the short growing season and they still had some green in them, but I was afraid this might be the last sunny day before they are covered with snow.  The Oregon grape and huckleberries have turned a nice red.  It makes for a pretty walk along the edges of the lakes.

 

Additional photos of trail

The grasses are starting to turn a nice color of yellow.

 

The trail wanders by the lakes and over a stream many, many times.  The term trail is a misnomer.  You walk where ever you would like, but it is boggy, so you have to watch where you’re walking.  Or put a lot of faith in the waterproofing on your boots.  The streams are narrow enough to jump over, with one notable exception, and filled with plants.

I really enjoyed the sun on the water as it was tumbling over the many little falls.

Additional photos of stream

 

The lakes were beautiful and  I had them all to myself. (If you don’t count the bugs.  The dragon flies I liked, the mosquitoes not so much.)

and the calm water had great reflections,

 

 

Additional photos of lakes

 

It was a very enjoyable day and I managed to break in my new hiking boots just a little bit more.

Naches Peak Loop

 

I couldn’t wait for the sun any longer.  I had to go on a hike. I did the Naches Peak Loop which is at the top of Chinook Pass.  It has several admiral qualities.  The hike is a loop, so there is no back tracking.  It is only three miles long with about 600 feet elevation gain, so it is not hard.  It has incredible fall colors and views of Mt. Rainier.  And on a day when there is a chance of rain, you are never more than a quick 35 minutes from your car incase you have to beat a hasty retreat.  And did I mention, it was gorgeous with beautiful alpine meadows and lots of lakes, tarns, and other bodies of water.

The hike begins at Lake Tipsoo which is pretty even in the fog.

 

The trail wanders along side some lakes, through some, meadows and beneath Naches Peak. It is a short scramble up Naches Peak, though on a cloudy day, the view is no better from the top of the peak than it is from the trail.

View along the trail

There are two named lakes, Tipsoo and Dewey,  and countless  tarns and ponds or  along the trail. The difference between a tarn and a pond is the nationality of the person who named it.  If you are Scandinavian, a tarn is a small lake or pond formed where a glacier scooped a hole in the ground.  If you are from the mid west, a pond is a boggy, bug filled depression  with scummy water inhabited by  slimy creatures that give you warts. It’s a personal bias, but I prefer  tarns.

Tarns and lakes

The fall colors are just beginning to turn, which is distressing since I don’t remember actually having a summer.  The colors should be great in the next couple of weeks, especially if you happen to hike on a sunny day.

 

Photos of Fall colors

And the views of Rainier would be great on a less cloudy day.  The hike through the mist was quiet and peaceful. 

The crowds are gone when you hike on a rainy Monday, though I did meet one through hiker.  He started at the US/ Mexican border in May and should be in Canada in the next two weeks. I did not turn him into immigration.