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2006.07.15 - Naches Peak Loop Trail
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According to the trail guide, "50 Hikes in Mt Rainier National Park", this hike is "open" from the middle of July through October.  There is a warning about snow being on the trail as late as early August, but we went anyway, and ran into some pretty deep snow pack at times, but had a great time.

The trail climbs from 5300 or so, to 6000 feet at its highest point, gently sloping the 700 feet in about 2 miles or so... a pleasant walk in the later summer when the snow is gone, it was only mildly difficult with the snow, and a bit tricky here and there, crossing the streams that were undercutting the snow, or cutting crevasses, making crossing them more of a slippery affair then they would have been later in the season.

Type: Loop
Distance: 4.5 miles
High point: 6000 feet
Elevation gain: 700 feet

Highlights (distance from Trailhead)
     Bridge at the Pass (.25 mi)
     Unnamed Alpine Lake (1.25 mi)
     High Point/Junction with PCT (2.25 mi)
We parked by Tipsoo lake, and walked up to the starting point at the Pass for a "Clockwise" run at the loop.

The winter's snow pushed against the rail so hard that it broke the concrete, and tipped most of the fence out of its footings.  It had completely collapsed in one area, replaced by "Caution Tape".
Just before the pass, you're treated to a GREAT view of Tipsoo, and right at the pass, you get a nice view down the valley on the other side of the pass...

A bridge at the pass lets those hiking the Pacific Crest Trail cross the highway safely.   The "outbound" leg of the Naches Peak Loop uses this trail.
A sign on the bridge lets you know the height of the pass: 5432 - more than a mile up.  This is more than 200 feet higher than the highest point in my home state of Maine.
Just on the other side of the bridge, the trail heads up and along the side of the steep slopes of Naches Peak.  The trail is well defined, and very easy to follow, even with some of it covered by snow.
Once you cross highway 410, you leave Mt Rainier National Park, and enter the William O Douglas Wilderness Area, part of the Wenatchee National Forest.

The trail is bordered by trees, and high mountain meadows, just clearing of the winter snows.

Its amazing how resilient the flowers are!  Very shortly after being uncovered by the snow, they're sprouting and flowering... its incredible.
Alpine Lakes dot the meadows.  Crisp, clean, clear water spills out over the bowl of the lake, creating a beautiful scene... it was incredible!
At one point, we had to walk along a cliff face, in the clear area between the snow field and the face... that meant we had to cross a water fall very close to where the water was landing... the spray was bit chilly, but the view and sense of adventure was awesome!
The trail on the shady south side of the peak's flanks were riddled with snow fields, some of which showed evidence of slipping down the slopes as they were melting...

It looks cold, but it wasn't...

The view at the high point was spectactular!  The trail passes over the crest of the ridge, and joins up with a trail to Tipsoo Lake.  The trail to Dewey lake was tempting, but we headed back.

That's Mt Adams peeking over the ridge...

We crested the ridge, and made tracks toward Tipsoo.  The final view of Dewey, and excellent camping location, was very nice.

The plants in the mountain meadows are pretty hardy.  Only recently uncovered, and still in the shadow of the snowpack, the flowers begin to emerge.
I don't like hills, so I was putting in a bit of effort, and worked up a good sweat to show for it.

The views MORE than made up for it.  I spent a bit of time trying to get a picture of the two of us with the mountain in the back ground, but the best I could do is to get the lake... it was an incredible view!
Walking down the hills on the other side, crossing the occasional stream, made for great views, and wonderful smells.
There were a wide variety of flowers... patches of purple were bordered by yellows and pinks.  Here and there, a tall white flower would rise out of the green carpet, and scattered around were red and yellow flowers also standing above the rest.

The smells were amazing.  The late afternoon air was fairly still, and the scents of the flowers was WAY better than the "Mountain Meadow" glade thinger, that's for sure!
It seemed like you could see forever at times... Even looking down in the valley was nice - you could see a road snaking its way along the valley wall, sharing space with the stream that was also heading down the valley floor.
The views in the waning sunlight were awe inspiring.

Mt Adams stood brightly above the foothills of the Cascades around it.

Purple Mountain's Majesty...
Before too long, we broke out of the forest, and were once again above Tipsoo lake, close to the end of the loop.
Just up from Tipsoo, another Alpine lake was mirror-smooth, reflecting the ridgeline heading up to Naches Peak.

The water was VERY clear, and it sure looked like it was cold!
Just as we were ending, Mt Rainier seemed to break free from its cloud cover, treating us to a hint of its evening glory... it was a very nice view to end the hike with!
After a short walk from where the trial lets out, we got back to Edgar, our Mariner, and had a snack, sipped some water, and watched the colors caused by the setting sun...

What a great ending to a great hike!
               

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