Tag: Washington

2025 Wildlife Gallery Part 2 – Featherless Friends

Post author By derwoodynck
Post date January 27, 2026
2 Comments on 2025 Wildlife Gallery Part 2 – Featherless Friends

Part two of 2025 wildlife wrap-up is a collection of the non-bird critters that we were able to get a photo of during our 2025 outings. I checked one animal off the list of those that we hadn’t seen while hiking during our Tygh Creek hike in May when I spotted a skunk making its way up the trail ahead. Heather unfortunately missed out on that sighting. We also saw a sea otter during our visit to Olympic National Park in May however it was so far away that we weren’t sure what we were looking at until we were able to look at the couple of photos that I had taken. It was exciting to have seen one, but it would have been more exciting had we realized what we were seeing at the time. The other exciting (and scariest) sighting was just our second rattlesnake in the Criterion Tract along the Deschutes River, also in May. We didn’t see it until we heard the loud hiss and rattle letting us know that we were getting too close.

Bumble bee – Mt. Hood National Forest, 05/24/25.

Bee swarm – William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge, 04/30/25.

Unknown bee species – Criterion Tract, 05/25/25.

Beetle – Criterion Tract, 05/25/25.

Beetles – Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, 07/14/25.

Beetles – Mt. Hood National Forest, 06/14/25.

Isopod – Olympic National Park, 05/15/25.

Western sea slater (Ligia occidentalis) – Olympic National Park, 05/14/25.

Spider hiding in the camas – Thurston Hills, 04/19/25.

Crab spider – Clearwater River Trail, 06/21/25.

Slug – Thurston Hills, 04/19/25.

Slug – Fern Ridge Wildlife Area, 05/03/25.

Slug – Olympic National Park, 05/13/25.

Slug – Olympic National Park, 05/12/25.

Slug – Olympic National Park, 05/15/25.

Snail – Oswald West State Park, 04/05/25.

Snail – Loon Lake Recreation Area, 05/03/25.

Snail – Fern Ridge Wildlife Area, 05/03/25.

Snail – Umpqua National Forest, 05/31/25.

Dragon flies – Mt. Washington Wilderness, 07/19/25.

Caterpillar – Olympic National Park, 05/13/25.

Caterpillars – Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, 07/17/25.

Cinnabar moth – Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, Linn County Oregon, 07/17/25.

Plume moth – Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, Linn County Oregon, 07/17/25.

Moth – Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, Marion County Oregon, 07/14/25.

Moth – Mt. Washington Wilderness, Linn County Oregon, 07/19/25.

Moth – Mt. Hood National Forest, Wasco County Oregon, 06/14/25.

Brown elfin (and fly) – Mt. Hood National Forest, Wasco County Oregon, 05/24/25.

Ochre ringlet – Criterion Tract, Wasco County Oregon, 05/25/25.

Cabbage White – Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, Washington County Oregon, 05/01/25.

Margined white – Oswald West State Park, Tillamook County Oregon, 04/05/25.

Western white? – Mt. Hood National Forest, Hood River County Oregon, 07/12/25.

California tortoiseshell – Mt. Hood National Forest, Hood River County Oregon, 07/12/25.

Sagebrush checkerspot (f) – Criterion Tract, Wasco County Oregon, 05/25/25.

Sagebrush checkerspot? (m) – Criterion Tract, Wasco County Oregon, 05/25/25.

Checkerspot (Hoffman’s?) – Mt. Hood National Forest, Hood River County Oregon, 07/12/25.

Clodius Parnassian – Sourgrass Mountain, Lane County Oregon, 06/28/25.

Propertius duskywing – Mt. Hood National Forest, Wasco County Oregon, 06/14/25.

Possibly a Pacuvius Duskywing (Erynnis pacuvius) – Mt. Hood National Forest, Wasco County Oregon, 05/24/25.

A skipper – Criterion Tract, Wasco County Oregon, 05/25/25.

Field crescent – Mt. Washington Wilderness, Linn County Oregon, 07/19/25.

Meadow fritillary – Mt. Rainier National Park, Yakima County Washington, 08/08/25.

A fritillary but not sure which one. – Criterion Tract, Wasco County Oregon, 05/25/25.

Another of the fritillaries. – Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, Linn County Oregon, 07/17/25.

Wester sulphur – Mt. Hood National Forest, Wasco County Oregon, 06/14/25.

Indra swallowtail – Criterion Tract, Wasco County Oregon, 05/25/25.

Pale tiger swallowtail – Mt. Hood National Forest, Wasco County Oregon, 06/14/25.

When it comes to the Lycaenidae Family (Gossamer Wings) I am almost always out of my depth trying to identify them.

Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, Marion County Oregon, 07/14/25.

Mt. Hood National Forest, Wasco County Oregon, 05/24/25.

Mt. Washington Wilderness, Linn County Oregon, 07/19/25.

Criterion Tract, Wasco County Oregon, 05/25/25.

Olympic National Park, Clallam County Washington, 05/13/25.

These might be Echo Azures – Mt. Hood National Forest, Wasco County Oregon, 05/24/25.

Crab – Olympic National Park, Clallam County Wasing 05/14/25.

Hermit Crab – Olympic National Park, 05/14/25.

Velalla velella – Olympic National Park, 05/14/25.

Anemones – Olympic National Park, 05/14/25.

Starfish – Olympic National Park, 05/14/25.

Lions mane jellyfish – Rockaway Beach, 09/06/25.

Sealion – Olympic National Park, 05/14/25.

Seals – Olympic National Park, 05/15/25.

Sea otter, albeit a poor picture – Olympic National Park, 05/14/25.

Tree frog – Mt. Washington Wilderness, 07/19/25.

Frog – Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, 07/14/25.

Bullfrog (invasive) – Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge, 04/28/25.

Painted and western pond turtles – William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge, 04/30/25.

Dunn’s salamander – Thurston Hills, 04/19/25.

Rough skinned newt – Driftwood Beach, 01/11/25.

Lizard – Mt. Hood National Forest, 05/24/25.

Snake – Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge, 04/28/25.

Snake – McDonald-Dunn Forest, 07/05/25.

Western racer – Mt. Hood National Forest, 05/24/25.

Western rattlesnake – Criterion Tract, 05/25/25.

Olympic chipmunk – Olympic National Park, 05/13/25.

Townsend’s? chipmunk – Silver Falls State Park, 10/13/25.

Yellow pine chipmunk – Mt. Rainier National Park, 08/04/25.

Golden-mantled ground squirrel – Mt. Rainier National Park, 08/04/25.

Douglas’ squirrel – Olympic National Park, 05/13/25.

Western gray squirrel – William L. Finely National Wildlife Refuge, 04/30/25.

California ground squirrel – E. E. Wilson Wildlife Area, 04/27/25.

Nutria (invasive) – Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, 05/01/25.

Yellow-bellied marmot – Three Sisters Wilderness, 07/15/25.

Hoary marmot – Mt. Rainier National Park, 08/05/25.

Pika – Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, 07/14/25.

Rabbit – Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge, 04/28/25.

Racoon – Olympic National Park, 05/14/25.

Skunk – Mt. Hood National Forest, 05/26/25.

Coyote – William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge, 04/30/25.

Black-tailed deer – Mt. Rainier National Park, 08/04/25.

Mule deer – Criterion Tract, 05/25/25.

Elk – Elk Run Trail, 10/11/25.

Mountain goats – Mt. Rainier National Park, 08/05/25.

Being fortunate enough to witness animals in their natural habitat is one of the perks of hiking and we hope to see many more this coming year. We’re still on the lookout for several species that are possibilities. Most notable and likely of these are porcupines, giant pacific salamanders, and cougars. Much less likely but possible are wolves, wolverines, and moose among others. Happy Trails!

Tags butterflies, mountain goat, mt. rainier national park, Olympic National Park, Oregon, Pika, racoon, sea otter, Skunk, turtles, Washington

Hiking

2025 Wildlife Gallery Part 1 – Feathered Friends

Post author By derwoodynck
Post date January 26, 2026
1 Comment on 2025 Wildlife Gallery Part 1 – Feathered Friends

It’s time again for our annual wrap up of the various critters we encountered over the previous year. Several years ago we split our wildlife post into feathered and featherless friends and have continued with that tradition ever since.

While we really enjoy taking pictures as a way to record what we see on our hikes, we are by no means photographers. We use our phones and a point and shoot camera on the auto setting, so the pictures are far from professional, but we hope you enjoy them. We also practice Leave No Trace Principles including Principle 6: Respect Wildlife which means observing from a distance, never feeding, and respecting any area wildlife closures.

With that being said here is a collection of the various species of birds we were able to get pictures of in 2025.

American bitterns – William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge, 04/30/2025.

American coot – Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge, 04/28/2025.

American dipper – June Lake, 09/20/2025.

American goldfinch – Fernhill Wetlands, 05/02/2025.

American kestrel – Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, 05/01/2025.

American pipit – Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, 09/17/2025.

American wigeons (toward the back) – Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge, 04/28/2025.

Anna’s hummingbird – Fernhill Wetlands, 05/02/2025.

Black-capped chickadee – E.E. Wilson Wildlife Refuge, 04/27/2025.

Bald eagle – Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge, 04/28/2025.

Barred owl – Willamette Mission State Park, 09/01/2025.

Barrow’s goldeneye – Elijah Bristow State Park, 04/19/2025.

Black-backed woodpecker – Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, 07/14/2025.

Blue-winged teal – Fern Ridge Wildlife Refuge, 05/03/2025.

Brown pelicans – Manhattan Beach, 10/11/2025.

Bufflehead – Elijah Bristow State Park, 04/19/2025.

Bullock’s oriole – Deschutes River Criterion Tract, 5/25/2025.

California quail – William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge, 04/30/2025.

California scrub jay – William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge, 04/30/2025.

Canada jay – Mt. Hood Wilderness, 08/31/2025.

Cedar waxwing – Mt. Rainier National Park, 08/08/2025.

Chestnut-backed chickadee – Mt. Rainier National Park, 08/07/2025.

Chipping sparrow? – Mt. Rainier National Park, 08/04/2025.

Cinnamon teals – William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge, 04/30/2025.

Clark’s nutcrackers – Mt. Rainier National Park, 08/05/2025.

Cliff swallow – Criterion Tract, 05/25/2025.

Common loon – Crescent Lake, Olympic National Park, 05/13/2025.

Common mergansers – Milo McIver State Park, 02/22/2025.

Common yellow-throat – Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge, 04/28/2025.

Cormorant – Olympic National Park, 05/14/2025.

Crow – Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, 05/01/2025.

Mourning dove – Fanno Creek Trail, 04/26/2025.

Eurasian-collard dove – Wapato Lake National Wildlife Refuge, 05/02/2025.

Prairie flacon? – Mt. Hood Wilderness, 08/31/2025.

Green-winged teals – Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge, 04/28/2025.

House finch – Fanno Creek Trail, 04/26/2025.

House sparrow – Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge, 04/29/2025.

Gadwall – Jackson Bottom Wetlands, 05/01/2025.

Canada geese – Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, 05/01/2025.

Gold-crowned sparrow – Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge, 04/29/2025.

Great blue heron and great egrets – Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, 05/01/2025.

Greater white-fronted geese – Fern Ridge Wildlife Refuge, 05/03/2025.

Greater yellowlegs – Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge, 04/28/2025.

Grosbeak? – Rogers Peak, 06/07/2025.

Sooty grouse – William O. Douglas Wilderness, 08/08/2025.

Red-tailed hawk? – Three Sisters Wilderness, 09/13/2025.

Hooded mergansers – Fanno Creek Trail, 04/26/2025.

Rufous hummingbird – Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, 07/17/2025.

Ruffed grouse – Silver Falls State Park, 11/11/2025.

Junco – William O. Douglas Wilderness, 08/08/2025.

Killdeer – Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge, 04/28/2025.

Lark sparrow – Criterion Tract, 05/25/2025.

Lazuli bunting – Mt. Washington Wilderness, 07/19/2025.

Least sandpiper – Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge, 04/28/2025.

Lesser scaup – Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge, 04/29/2025.

Lewis’s woodpecker – Mt. Hood National Forest, 05/24/2025.

Lincoln’s sparrow – Dean Point, 10/11/2025.

Long billed dowitcher – Jackson Bottom Wetlands, 05/01/2025.

Mallard – Jackson Bottom Wetlands, 05/01/2025.

Marsh wren – Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge, 04/28/2025.

Mute swan – Fern Ridge Wildlife Refuge, 05/03/2025.

Northern flicker – E.E. Wilson Wildlife Refuge, 04/27/2025.

Northern harrier – William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge, 04/30/2025.

Northern pintail – Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge, 04/29/2025.

Northern pygmy owl – McDonald-Dunn Forest, 07/05/2025.

Northern shovelers – Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge, 04/29/2025.

Red-breasted nuthatch (juvenile) – Mt. Rainier National Park, 08/04/2025.

Osprey – Wapato Lake National Wildlife Refuge, 05/02/2025.

Oyster catcher – Olympic National Park, 05/14/2025.

Pacific wren – Thurston Hills, 04/19/2025.

Pied billed grebe – E.E. Wilson Wildlife Refuge, 04/27/2025.

Pine siskin – Mt. Rainier National Park, 08/08/2025.

Purple martins – Fernhill Wetlands, 05/02/2025.

Raven – Mt. Rainier National Park, 08/04/2025.

Red-breasted sapsucker – Milo McIver State Park, 02/22/2025.

Red-winged blackbird – Wapato Lake National Wildlife Refuge, 05/02/2025.

Ring-necked ducks – Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge, 04/28/2025.

Robin – Mt. Rainier National Park, 08/08/2025.

Ruddy duck – William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge, 04/30/2025.

Savanah sparrow – William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge, 04/30/2025.

Solitary sandpiper – E.E. Wilson Wildlife Refuge, 04/27/2025.

Spotted sandpiper – William O. Douglas Wilderness, 08/08/2025.

Western gull – Driftwood Beach, 01/11/2025.

Semipalmated plovers – Driftwood Beach, 01/11/2025.

Short billed dowitchers – Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge, 04/28/2025.

Song sparrow – Metzler County Park, 03/08/2025.

Spotted towhee – Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge, 04/28/2025.

Starling – Champoeg State Heritage Area, 06/19/2025.

Stellar’s jay – Olympic National Park, 05/13/2025.

Violet green swallow (bottom right corner) – Olympic National Park, 05/13/2025.

Tree swallows – Jackson Bottom Wetlands, 05/01/2025.

Townsend’s solitaire – Mt. Hood National Forest, 05/26/2025.

Turkeys – William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge, 04/30/2025.

Turkey vulture – William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge, 04/30/2025.

Varied thrush – Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, 10/18/2025.

Western bluebird – Catherine Creek Recreation Area, 03/29/2025.

Western kingbirds – Criterion Tract, 5/25/2025.

Western meadowlark – Criterion Tract, 5/25/2025.

Western tanager – Mt. Hood National Forest, 05/24/2025.

Western wood-pewee – Mt. Hood National Forest, 05/24/2025.

Whimbrel – Olympic National Park, 05/15/2025.

White-crowned sparrow – Olympic National Park, 05/13/2025.

White pelicans – Fern Ridge Wildlife Refuge, 05/03/2025.

Wilson’s warbler – Clatsop State Forest, 05/11/2025.

Wood ducks – William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge, 04/30/2025.

Hairy woodpecker – Olympic National Park, 05/13/2025.

Downy woodpecker – Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge, 04/28/2025.

Merlin says Hermit Thrush – Umpqua National Forest, 05/31/2025.

Merlin says Say’s Phoebe – Deschutes River Criterion Tract, 5/25/2025.

Merlin says Purple Finch – Mt. Hood Wilderness, 08/31/2025.

Merlin wouldn’t take a stab at this bird seen on Second Burroughs Mountain in Mt. Rainier National Park, 08/05/2025.

The highlight of the year was the seeing the northern pygmy owl in McDonald-Dunn Forest with its catch which was the first northern pygmy owl that we’d seen. The Say’s phoebe along the Deschutes River was another first (as far as we know), but at the time we weren’t sure what type of bird we were seeing. I believe those are the only two that were new sightings for us.

As always please let us know if we’ve misidentified anything, and happy trails!

Tags American Bittern, birds, Blue-winged teal, Ducks, Northern Pygmy Owl, Oregon, Washington

Hiking SW Washington Washington

Klickitat Mineral Springs – 01/10/2026

Post author By derwoodynck
Post date January 12, 2026
2 Comments on Klickitat Mineral Springs – 01/10/2026

For our first hike of 2026 we chose a section of the 31-mile-long Klickitat Trail in Washington. This was our third hike on the converted railroad with our first coming in 2014 (post) and our most recent in 2022 (post). In 2014 we started from the Harms Road Trailhead and hiked west along Swale Creek for nearly four miles before turning around. In 2022 we hiked from the Lyle Trailhead at the western end of the trail and hiked NE along the Klickitat River for almost 6.5-miles before turning around. The former hike is one of William L. Sullivan’s featured hikes in his 100 Hike guidebook series for Northwestern Oregon & Southwestern Washington while the latter hike is featured in Matt Reeder’s “PDX Hiking 365” 1st edition. Reeder included today’s hike in “PDX Hiking 365” as well which, similar to what we did with Sullivan’s books (post), we are working on hiking at least part of each of those featured hikes. Entering 2026 there were just 3 of the 120 featured hikes left on that to-do list.

Reeder describes a 5.2-mile out-and-back hike beginning at the Wahkiacus Trailhead west along the Klickitat River to the site of a missing trestle which separates the eastern section of the Klickitat Trail from the western portion. With a nearly two-and-a-half-hour drive time from Salem a 5.2-mile hike is a little short to make the drive worthwhile, so our plan was to start with Reeder’s hike and then head out along the trail in the opposite direction from the trailhead and hike along Swale Creek for about an hour-and-a-half before heading back to the car.

We were the first car at the trailhead, but not the first person on the trail as a fisherman passed by while we were getting ready to set off.

It was a frosty morning with the temperature right at freezing when we arrived just after 7:30am.

The trail joined the river after a short distance and near the one-mile mark passed the site of a former water-bottling plant that tried to capitalize on carbonated springs along the river.

The trail continues along the river passing the only remaining building from the bottling operations on the far bank.

The trail mainly sticks close to the river beyond the springs before arriving at a picnic table at the missing trestle.

Bald eagle and a power line.

No flowers yet but there were a few mushrooms.

The Klickitat River at the missing trestle with the unincorporated community of Klickitat on the far side.

We returned the way we’d come and were back at the trailhead a little before 10am. We set 11:30am as our turnaround time for the next leg of our hike and crossed Schilling Road to continue along the Klickitat Trail

While the section of trail from the trailhead to the missing trestle had been located in the Mineral Springs Wildlife Area the trail going in the other direction passes through private land. The trail itself has been designated a State Park but due to the surrounding private land it is important to stay on the trail and respect the private landowners’ rights. We followed the wide trail along Swale Creek and through mixed forests coming to a bridge over a small unnamed creek after roughly three-quarters of a mile.

Heading into Swale Canyon.

Swale Creek

Coming up on the bridge.

The unnamed creek.

A long straight stretch followed the bridge and we passed a few homes before arriving at a road crossing approximately 2-miles from the trailhead.

Picnic table below a private property sign.

The road crossing.

Beyond the road crossing the trail began to turn toward the south as it continued into the canyon. Just under a mile from the road crossing we came to another bridge, this time spanning Swale Creek.

Swale Creek

It was 11am when we arrived at the bridge over Swale Creek and Heather decided that this was a good turn around point for her. We decided that I would continue for another half an hour while she headed back to the car. After crossing Swale Creek I passed another homesite, the last one for the day, and continued south through the canyon. The views really opened up, and some blue sky appeared making this the most scenic portion of the days outing.

No bridge for this unnamed stream crossing.

Looking back after crossing the stream, mostly dry footed.

Mercury station wagon.

At exactly 11:30am I arrived at another bridge over Swale Creek where I paused for a moment before heading back.

The trail continuing on along Swale Creek.

Getting ready to start back.

Swale Creek from the bridge.

This bridge was 1.5-miles from the other bridge over Swale Creek where Heather had turned around making it approximately 4.25-miles from the trailhead. I headed back the way I’d come passing a single bike rider and a couple hiking before arriving back at the car.

Squirrel

The trailhead in sight.

My hike came to 13.2-miles with roughly 450′ of very gradual elevation gain (Hether’s was 10.2 with 400′.)

Here is a look at our tracks from our three hikes along the Klickitat Trail, plus our nearby Stacker Butte hike (post).

This was a pretty good time to visit. It was too early for any of the spring flowers, but it was also too early for any rattlesnakes, and we also did not notice any ticks. Hopefully this was just the first of many great hikes for 2026. Happy Trails!

Flickr: Klickitat Mineral Springs

Tags hiking, Klickitat Mineral Springs, Klickitat Rail Trail, klickitat river, Klickitat Trail, Swale Canyon, Swale Creek, Wahkiacus Trailhead, Washington

Hiking Year-end wrap up

The Hikes of 2025 – A Look Back

Post author By derwoodynck
Post date January 1, 2026
2 Comments on The Hikes of 2025 – A Look Back

2025 was the first time in several years where we weren’t focused on achieving a specific hiking goal. It also marked the first year in which I had significantly more vacation time than Heather. We also adjusted our off-season modus operandi from “one hike a month” to “at least one hike a month and more if the weather cooperates”. These factors along with some medical restrictions resulted in a very different set of hikes in 2025 than previous years. For the first time since 2014 we didn’t spend any time backpacking, spent minimal time hiking in either Eastern or Southern Oregon, and for only the second time since 2012 failed to hike at an elevation above 8000′. In fact, it was the first year in which the average highest elevation of our outings came in under 3000′ at 2947′.

One thing that did not change was our focus on visiting new trails or, in the case of areas we’d visited before, new sections of trail. Together, Heather and I spent 46 days exploring trails, and I headed out on an additional 20 days. The 66 days for me marked the most days hiking in a calendar year topping the previous high of 64 in 2017. With multiple stops on several of the days the number of trailheads I started off from was 98 (75 for Heather). Fifty-eight of those ninety-eight stops, and twenty-eight of the days were entirely new. The only hike that was 100% on trails previously hiked was to celebrate our friend’s birthday with a hike to Dimple Hill in the McDonald-Dunn Forest. The hikes on our 46 days together came to 402.8 miles with another 245 miles on my 20 solo hikes resulting 647.8 miles for me in 2025. Of those miles 440.6 were new. Our shortest hike was just 0.9-miles when we stopped to check out McCredie Hot Springs on the way home from Bend in October, and my longest was the 17.8-mile Obsidian Loop in the Three Sisters Wilderness in July.

As far as where we spent our time the Central Cascades were at the top followed by the Oregon Coast & Coast Range, NW Oregon, and Washington. The hikes in Washington were one of the reasons for the low number of hikes in Eastern and Southern Oregon. Our two vacations were spent at National Parks in that state, Olympic and Mt. Rainier.

Locations of the trailheads we started from in 2025. (There are 96 THs since we hiked multiple trails on a number of days.)

Our northernmost hike this year, Ozette Triangle in Olympic National Park, was also the furthest north we’d ever hiked. This was also the furthest west we would be all year.

Looking north from the most northerly location we’ve been.

Our southernmost hike was on the Cow Creek Trail SE of Roseburg, OR in the Umpqua National Forest.

Downed trees that marked my turn around point, and southernmost point, on the Cow Creek Trail.

Not surprisingly our easternmost hike was our sole hike in Eastern Oregon in the BLM’s Criterion Tract.

Roughly the furthest point east we reached this year.

The 2025 wildfire season was comparatively tame to the last few years however there were still more than 1,100 fires from early June to mid-October. According to the Office of the State Fire Marshal over 700 of those fires were human caused which is disappointing as these are by and large avoidable.
While none of the fires directly impacted our plans this year, sadly 200 homes and structures were lost this past year and several trails we’d previously hiked were burned.

On a more positive note, we once again were blessed to be able to see and experience so many beautiful places. So many in fact that in addition to our usual wildlife and wildflower galleries we’re adding one for the waterfalls we saw in 2025.

January – Driftwood Beach, OR

February – Clackamas River from Milo McIver State Park, OR

March – Catherine Creek/Coyote Wall, WA (This area burned in July 2025 in the Burdoin Fire.)

April – Devil’s Lake Fork, Tillamook State Forest, OR

April – Basket Slough Wildlife Refuge, OR

May – Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge, OR

May – Hoh Rainforest, Olympic National Park, WA

May – Devil’s Punchbowl, Olympic National Park, WA

May – Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park, WA

May – Little Badger Trail, Mt. Hood National Forest, OR

May – Deschutes River, BLM Criterion Tract, OR

June – Blue Lake, Hampton Family Forests (Private Timberland), OR

June – Fivemile Butte Lookout, Mt. Hood National Forest, OR

June – Champoeg State Park, OR

June – Clearwater River, Umpqua National Forest, OR

Elk Camp Shelter, Willamette National Forest, OR

July – Mt. Hood, OR

July – Bays Lake, Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, OR

July – Three Sisters Wilderness, OR

July – Craig Lake, Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, OR

July – Big Lake, Willamette National Forest, OR

August – Walupt Lake, Goat Rocks Wilderness, OR

August – Mt. Rainier National Park, WA

August – Mt. Freemont Trail, Mt. Rainier National Park, WA

August – Snow Lake, Mt. Rainier National Park, WA

August – Naches Peak Loop, Mt. Rainier National Park, WA

August – Lava Canyon Trail, Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, WA

September – Zigzag Canyon, Mt. Hood Wilderness, OR

September – Twin Rocks, Rockaway Beach, OR

September – Three Sisters Wilderness, OR

September – Duffy Lake, Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, OR

September – Fuji Mountain, Willamette National Forest, OR

September – Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, WA

September – Charlton Lake, Deschutes National Forest, OR

October – Head of Jack Creek, Deschutes National Forest, OR

October – Nehalem River, Nehalem, OR

October – Silver Falls State Park, OR

October – Maxwell Butte, Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, OR

October – Willamette Mission State Park, OR

November – Silver Falls State Park, OR

November – Clear Lake, Willamette National Forest, OR

December – Little Rock Creek, Santiam State Forest, OR

Looking ahead to 2026 there are still trails we’ve yet to explore and many that we’d be more than happy to revisit. We’re looking forward to continuing the journey for as long as we are able. Happy Trails and have a wonderful New Year!

Tags adventure, champoeg state park, Goat Rocks Wilderness, hiking, Milo McIver State Park, Mt. Hood Wilderness, Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, mt. rainier national park, nature, Olympic National Park, Oregon, Silver Falls State Park, Three Sisters Wilderness, travel, Washington, Willamette mission State Park

Hiking Mt. St. Helens Trip report Washington Washington Cascades

June Lake to Ape Canyon – 09/20/2025

Post author By derwoodynck
Post date September 24, 2025
No Comments on June Lake to Ape Canyon – 09/20/2025

After a few solo hikes we were able to hit the trail together to wrap up my final week of vacation for 2025. The hike I’d penciled in at the beginning of the year was out due to a road closure blocking access to the trailhead and my plan B was also out due to a closure for hazard tree removal. I turned to my list of “extra” hikes that were not currently on the schedule, which runs through 2029, and the one that jumped out was June Lake in the Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. I checked the weather/smoke forecast, and it was clear skies with a high in the low 60s. That was enough to convince us.

This would be our second visit to June Lake with the first having been in July of 2014 (post). The hike to June Lake is just 1.3-miles (2.6-miles round trip with 410′ of elevation gain) so during our 2015 visit we continued past the lake 0.3-miles to the Loowit Trail which circumnavigates Mt. St. Helens. We turned left (clockwise) on that trail for nearly 5-miles before turning around. Our plan for this outing was to go right (counterclockwise), possibly as far as Ape Canyon (post).

We parked at the June Lake Trailhead and set off just after 7am.

The trail briefly follows June Creek with some views of the top of Mt. St. Helens before veering away to climb through the forest.

The trail nears the creek again to cross it on a footbridge then arrives in an open flat where June Lake lies hidden behind bushes on the right.

June Creek

The first path we followed through the bushes led to a view of the lake but not the waterfall that flows into the lake.

We ducked down a second path to get a view of the falls.

Aside from a few dragonflies and an American dipper we were alone at the lake and took a short break there to enjoy the scenery and sound of the waterfall.

From the lake we made the stiff climb up to the Loowit Trail and headed toward Ape Canyon.

It’s hard to tell in the photo but this section was both steep and loose. We both used the trees/roots on the left as handholds going up and when we came back down.

The trail leveled out some as it neared the junction.

The trail sign at the Loowit Trail junction said the Ape Canyon Trail was 5-miles. From the Ape Canyon Trail the canyon itself is a little over an additional half mile.

The Loowit Trail crossed a lava flow then spent a little time in the forest and along the lava flow before climbing into the rocks.

Various poles and posts mark the trails when they are passing over the lava flows.

The trail made a pretty significant climb (approx. 200′) when it reentered the lava flow gaining a view of Mt. Adams to the east and Mt. Hood to the south.

Marble Mountain is the closest peak, and Mt. Hood is behind to the left through some smokey haze.

A little better look at Mt. Hood.

Pink mountain heather

Heading up.

The Loowit Trail to the left crossing over the large rock with Mt. Adams in the distance.

Looking back down from near the top of the climb.

We were still about 3.2-miles from the Ape Canyon Trail at this point. From this crest the Loowit Trail would make a series of ups and downs as it crossed a half dozen gullies/canyons of various depths including several forks of the Muddy River. We momentarily lost the trail at one of the first gullies when we missed a hairpin turn around a post marking the route and instead headed straight following footprints along a rocky ridge.

The trail passing between large rocks.

Mt. Adams was visible for much of this stretch and Mt. Rainier occasionally made an appearance to the north.

Mt. Rainier over the trees.

There were also plenty of great views of Mt. St. Helens.

Mt. Adams from one of the posts.

This is where we missed the turn and were following footprints along this ridge.

When we finally spotted a post and the trail way down in the gully below we checked the GPS and confirmed we were off the actual trail. A little scrambling connected us back up to the correct path.

Mt. Adams from the ridge. The post is barely visible between some trees ahead to the left, but we didn’t want to try to recross the top of the ridge as there were some large gaps that were almost too sketchy for us on the first pass.

A little downclimbing to the actual trail below.

Passing the post we had seen from above.

Dropping into another gully. At this point Heather decided she was not going to try and push for Ape Canyon and sent me ahead while she would take her time and turn around when she felt like it.

The trail briefly left the rocky landscape to traverse up and along a hillside with a few trees and a lot of huckleberry bushes that were sporting their fall colors.

Looking back at Mt. Hood and the direction we’d come.

Mt. Adams and a lot of huckleberry bushes.

Mt. Rainier in the distance.

Mt. Rainier behind Pumice Butte.

Ripe serviceberries mixed in with the huckleberries.

After traversing the huckleberry covered hillside it crossed another tributary of the Muddy River.

Closer look at Mt. St. Helens.

Heading for the next post.

Mt. Rainier became more visible as I continued north.

One of the larger canyons of the Muddy River. The entire route was dry this late in the year.

Dry waterfall above the trail.

Looking down the canyon toward Mt. Adams.

Mt. Hood and a layer of haze behind one of the posts.

The trail turning uphill before the next canyon.

The Loowit Trail climbing out of another canyon to a post with Mt. Rainier in the distance.

Mt. Rainier and Little Tahoma

Dwarf lupine

The next ravine was the main channel of the Muddy River and it proved to be the trickiest as the trail climbing out was not obvious.

There was a post visible on the far side poking up from a patch of green but no visible path leading to it.

It almost looked like there might be a path on the shelf above the dry riverbed, but I didn’t see a clear path to it, nor did it appear to lead anywhere near the post on the ridge above.

Once I was in the riverbed I spotted two small rock cairns, one with a pink ribbon so I headed for those.

That brought me to the far side but there was still no clear tread that I could see.

The post is uphill just to my left. There were some prints leading up from here so I angled uphill toward the trees above.

This route quickly turned into a class 3 scramble. I had to be very careful which rocks I used as hand and footholds due to how loose the hillside was. I momentarily considered turning around but I was closer to the top than the bottom and wasn’t sure I could safely downclimb, so I continued. I finally managed to climb out near the snags.

The post is hiding back behind the snags here.

After gathering myself I continued on figuring that it should be easier to follow the correct path down starting from the post on the way back. The Loowit trail now began a nearly three-quarter mile long descent.

Mt. Rainier to the left and the Loowit Trail ahead to the right.

The Ape Canyon Trail was visible climbing along the ridge below.

The trail leveled out shortly before arriving at the junction with the Ape Cayon Trail at a post with a great view of Pumice Butte.

I almost called it quits here. In addition to a great view of Mt. St. Helens I could see the Loowit Trail below in the distance as it bowed out and around toward Ape Canyon which was on the far side of Pumice Butte.

The Loowit Trail is visible on the right-hand side about halfway up the photo.

The trail then bent around to climb the ridge in the distance on the far side of the butte.

The deciding factor was that on our previous two visits Mt. Adams had not been visible from the viewpoint above Ape Canyon. Despite there being a little haze today I knew Mt. Adams would be visible, so I sallied forth.

Heading toward Pumice Butte now. If you look closely, on the left-hand side toward the top, there are several mountain goats. At this point I had dismissed them as fallen snags and hadn’t bothered looking closely.

Passing through yet another gully.

Paintbrush

The trail passes the top of Ape Canyon and crosses what is sometimes a small spring fed stream.

No water, just a little bit of mud. Speaking to backpackers there were few sources of water available this late in the year.

Success! Mt. Adams from Ape Canyon

This was the 2013 view.

And the 2015 view.

I took a break on a rock and had a snack and changed into dry socks before starting back.

The rock I used as a bench.

It was while I was heading back that I realized it was mountain goats on Pumice Butte and not stumps/downed trees.

Looking north toward Windy Pass where the Loowit Trail passes between the mountain and the butte ahead.

Mt. Adams, Pumice Butte, and mountain goats.

I returned the way I’d come, except for the two places that I’d lost the trail on the way to Ape Canyon. As the sun moved overhead the view of Mt. Adams improved a bit and the view of Mt. Hood became hazier.

Mt. Hood was barely visible now.

When I reached the post above the Muddy River I followed the path as it began to descend the side that I’d scrambled up.

The section of trail that I had thought I’d seen from the other side was visible below but again there was no clear route to it. I believe it is a remanent of a previous route through the canyon that has since washed out.

The route down made a switchback and basically led me back to where I had begun my scramble up. There was a pretty good drop near the bottom though. It was significant enough that I sat down and slowly lowered myself by sliding down the loose pumice. Looking back, I am sure I considered that as a possible route up but the drop, or climb going up, seemed pretty daunting and since I wasn’t positive it was indeed the current trail I veered right instead. Once I was done with the butt slide, I found myself in the riverbed at the cairns I had followed earlier. It was a little perplexing at the time, but I was through the worst section now and could enjoy the rest of the hike back.

Dust kicking up from a rockfall on the mountain.

Golden-mantled grounds squirrel. I heard a few pikas along the way but never saw any, just the golden-mantles and some chipmunks.

Coming up to the post on the ridge where we’d lost the trail earlier.

Mt. Adams near the end of the hike.

The trail below in the rocks.

Back on the June Lake Trail.

I caught up to Heather a little before reaching June Lake. She had gone through the huckleberries and stopped at the edge of one of the big canyons and taken a nice long break before taking her time on her way back. We stopped at June Lake again for a final look at the waterfall then returned to the car.

Ouzel with a snack.

The hike to Ape Canyon came in at 14.4-miles on my GPS. I am just guessing on elevation, but I’d say it was in the 2500′ range due to all the ups and downs.

This little orange section is my scramble out of the Muddy River Canyon.

Mt. St. Helens never disappoints. This might have been my favorite hike we’ve done at the mountain to date but it’s hard to say. Happy Trails!

Flickr: June Lake to Ape Canyon

Tags ape canyon, ape canyon trail, hiking, June Lake, june lake trail, June Lake Trailhead, Loowit Trail, Mountain Goats, Mt. St. Helens, mt. st. helens national volcanic monument, Muddy River, Washington

Hiking Mt. St. Helens Trip report Washington Washington Cascades

Lava Canyon – 08/30/2025

The morning after our last hike, at Silver Falls State Park (post), I woke with a bad case of vertigo and wound up in urgent care thinking I might have an ear infection. That wasn’t the case, but it took the better part of a week for things to settle down putting our hiking plans on pause. By Labor Day Weekend the vertigo had passed, and I was just dealing with a little excess pressure in my left ear. That was good enough for us to head back out for the trails.

For our first hike of the holiday weekend we picked Lava Canyon in the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. This hike had been on our list of trails to revisit for a while now and given the forecast for smokey conditions in the Oregon Cascades it looked like a good time to do it.

Our first visit to Lava Canyon was in September 2012 (post) before we’d decided to try and hike all of William L. Sullivan’s featured hikes. During that visit we did Sullivan’s shorter option, a 1.3-mile lollipop loop following a much longer hike at Ape Canyon. For this visit we wanted to do his longer option and add on a little bit of time on Smith Creek Trail. Doing some pre-hike research led me to the Oregon Hikers Field Guide which described a loop utilizing The Old 83 Trail to return to the Lava Canyon Trailhead.

Our typical early start meant we were the first ones on the trail Saturday morning.

We headed down the paved path past a viewpoint and then a warning sign.

Muddy River

At the 0.4-mile mark we came to a junction with the short loop we’d done on our first visit.

On our previous visit we returned using the bridge shown above. That loop currently isn’t an option due to damage to the suspension bridge a quarter mile further along the trail.

Viewpoint above Upper Lava Canyon Falls.

The view of the falls leaves a little to be desired but there is a better view a little further down the trail.

Upper Lava Canyon Falls

Beyond the viewpoint the trail becomes rougher.

The closed suspension bridge.

The Lava Canyon Trail continuing past the suspension bridge.

Warning regarding the conditions along the Lower Lava Canyon Trail.

We continued down the increasingly rough trail and came to a view of Lava Canyon Falls.

The top of Lava Canyon Falls.

Lava Canyon Falls

Fireweed

The trail was very narrow in places and high, not a good one for people who have issues with heights, children or pets.

This missing section of tread was the sketchiest part of the trail. There was a significant drop which would have been fatal.

The next waterfall we passed was Middle Lava Canyon Falls.

Unnamed stream crossing.

A short distance beyond Middle Lava Canyon Falls we came to the 30′ to 40′ ladder.

After securing our hiking poles we climbed down the ladder and continued along the trail.

Basalt above the trail.

At an unmarked junction we made a hard right turn to take a 0.2-mile spur trail to the top of The Ship where there was a view of Lower and Lava Canyon Falls.

This is the view of the spur trail (on the left) looking back after having passed the junction and turning around.

There was a shorter ladder on The Ship.

Chicken tails

Huckleberry leaves turning colors at the end of summer.

Lower Lava Canyon Falls

After a short break to enjoy the view we carefully headed back down to the Lava Canyon Trail.

The spur trail above the ladder.

We continued another third of a mile to another unsigned junction where we turned right.

We took the spur to avoid the challenging conditions that the sign near the suspension bridge had mentioned. The spur trail crossed the Muddy River on a good footbridge then followed the river 1.1-miles to the Lower Smith Creek Trailhead.

This trail was also a little rough but there were no major challenges.

Mt. Margaret (post) and Mt. Teragram (rocky knoll).

Mt. St. Helens

About 100 yards before reaching the trailhead we passed a yellow rope hanging down the steep embankment. None of the maps or hike descriptions we’d looked at said anything about using a rope to get down to the river, so we ignored it and continued on.

Zoomed in look at the rope from the Muddy River.

The rope is located at the center of this photo.

As it turned out we should have used the rope to get down because the maps and descriptions indicated that from the trailhead you would walk north along the former Forest Road 8322, but that old roadbed ended at a vertical drop where the was no way to safely scramble down to the river.

Vehicle parked near the trailhead sign in the distance.

FR 8322 roadbed heading toward the former bridge site.

Unable to descend from the end of FR 8322 we decided to continue down that road past the trailhead looking for an alternate route instead of returning to the rope. About a quarter mile from the trailhead we came to some campsites where we found a rough scramble trail that we used to get down to the riverbank.

We made a u turn along the river and headed back toward the old bridge site where we would ford the Muddy River.

While the trail had been a little sketchy at times the scariest part of the hike came as we were heading back up to the ford of the Muddy River. There was a family camped near the trailhead, and they decided it would be a good idea to let the kids shoot their 22’s across the river valley. It wasn’t surprising that they would be that careless given they had a big campfire going despite a full ban on campfires in the forest. (Forest Order 06-03-00-25-01) I tried yelling and waiving my arms and I don’t know if that got their attention or if one of the adults spotted us, but they did stop shooting and we made it past.

We changed into our water shoes and forded just below the log here. The water was knee deep and cold.

View back to where FR 8322 used to be. There was no way we were getting down that.

We picked up the obvious trail which climbed easily up the far embankment.

The trail headed back along the river before veering away and arriving at a junction with the Lava Canyon Trail.

The Smith Creek Trail ends at Forest Road 99 just north of the Smith Creek Viewpoint (post)

We stuck to the Smith Creek Trail which followed the old roadbed. After a third of a mile we came to a junction with lots of flagging and some cairns.

Smith Creek from the trail.

Another view of Smith Creek.

Lupine

The unsigned but well-marked junction with The Old 83 Trail. The Old 83 Trail would loop us back to the Lava Canyon Trailhead, but first I wanted to explore a little more of the Smith Creek Trail. Heather opted to skip this detour, so we split up here.

The Smith Creek Trail was relatively level and, for the most part, continued to follow the old roadbed. There was a mix of forest and occasional views of Smith Creek.

Aster

Unnamed creek.

I had planned on hiking for half an hour then turning around, but as the 30-minute mark approached the GPS showed I was close to a junction, so I made that my turn around.

View up Smith Creek toward Windy Ridge near the junction.

The junction wound up being where FR 94 used to split off to cross Smith Creek.

After the hike I realized I had turned around less than half a mile from Ape Canyon (post) which would have been a logical spot to turn around, but I was already 5 minutes over my allotted time. I made my way back to The Old 83 Trail and turned up it following Heather.

The Old 83 Trail followed the former route of FR 83 3.3-miles uphill to FR 83 near the trailhead. The wide road was easy to follow with no major blowdown present. It was a quite walk back for me and despite being sure I would see some wildlife I never spotted anything other than an occasional small bird. Heather however saw at least one and possibly up to three owls.

Barred owl

Crane Lake is back in the trees to the left. There was no view from the roadbed and neither of us found the use trail that supposedly led to it.

Mushroom and foam flower

Groundsel

Trail sign for The Old 83 Trail.

The Lava Canyon Trailhead from FR 83.

My hike was 11.4-miles with roughly 1500′ of elevation gain.

The trailhead was very busy by the afternoon but on the trail I only saw two backpackers. The Old 83 Trail and the Smith Creek Trail were both in good shape, but the Lava Canyon Trail had some rough spots making it quite an adventure. Happy Trails!

Flickr: Lava Canyon

Tags hiking, Lava Canyon, Lava Canyon Falls, Lava Canyon Trail, Lava Canyon Trailhead, Lower Smith Creek Trailhead, mt. st. helens national volcanic monument, Muddy River, Smith Creek, Smith Creek Trail, The Old 83 Trail, The Ship, Washington

Hiking Mt. Rainier Trip report Washington Cascades

Naches Peak Loop (Mt. Rainier) – 08/08/2025

Post author By derwoodynck
Post date August 15, 2025
No Comments on Naches Peak Loop (Mt. Rainier) – 08/08/2025

For our final hike of our Mount Rainier vacation we landed on the Naches Peak Loop. This was originally not going to be our final hike but after several changes to our plans throughout the week it wound up here and we couldn’t be happier that it did. This was a spectacular hike with tons of wildflowers, great views, and a nice variety of wildlife.

Less than 40 minutes from Packwood we arrived at the trailhead a little before 5:45am.

Double Peak

The Naches Peak Loop Trail is 3.5-miles with 500′ of elevation gain. A portion of the loop follows the Pacific Crest Trail which provided an opportunity for a side trip down to Dewey Lakes in the William O. Douglas Wilderness.

It is recommended to hike the loop clockwise to maximize the views of Mount Rainier so that was our plan as we set off. The wildflower display was immediately profuse.

Heading down to the start of the loop near Tipsoo Lake.

Tipsoo Lake

Spirea, lupine, western pasque flower, and bistort.

We turned left at the start of the loop and climbed for a third of a mile to the Pacific Crest Trail at Chinook Pass.

Western pasque flower seedheads and aster.

Valerian and bistort

Larkspur

Arnica, fleabane, lupine, bistort, and valerian.

Partridgefoot

Highway 410 at Chinook Pass.

Trail sign for the PCT.

We turned right on the PCT and crossed the highway on an overpass.

The PCT was more level as it traversed the hillside below Naches Peak.

Looking back at Yakima Peak.

We were leaving the National Park and entering the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.

The top of Mount Rainier to the left of Yakima Peak.

Saxifrage

Bird’s beak lousewort

At one point we looked back toward Yakima Peak and spotted some deer dashing across the hillside.

Doe and two fawns.

White mountain heather

Wilderness information for the William O. Dougals Wilderness.

Paintbrush

Grass-of-parnassus and an arnica.

Allumroot

Columbine with several other types of flowers.

Cusick’s speedwell

Pink monkeyflower

Wilderness sign

Bird with a snack.

Naches Peak

Just under a mile from Chinook Pass the PCT passes a small tarn below Naches Peak. We detoured around the tarn on a use trail.

Sickle-top lousewort

Penstemon

Aster

Pink monkeyflower and arnica

Pussytoes

Dewey Peak

The top of Mt. Adams between Dewey and Seymour Peaks.

Mt. Adams

Golden-mantled ground squirrel enjoying the view.

Dewey Lake below Dewey Peak.

We came to a junction 1.7-miles from Chinook Pass where the PCT forked left to head downhill to Dewey Lake.

Heather decided not to make the side trip down to Dewey Lake as it added over 600′ of elevation gain, and over 3 miles to the hike. I headed down the PCT which made one big switchback then headed more directly toward the lakes.

Double Peak with the snowy Tatoosh Range behind.

Stevens, Boundary, and Unicorn Peaks

Yarrow

Rainiera

No fires reminder.

Dewey Lake

There are several smaller ponds/lakes along the PCT in addition to Dewey Lake.

The largest of the smaller bodies of water.

Reflections in a pond.

PCT along Dewey Lake.

I turned around at the southern end of the lake and headed back to the Naches Peak Loop.

Elephants head at Dewey Lake.

Sandpiper

Junco

Great blue heron

Lousewort

Mushrooms

Grouse

The signs at the Naches Peak Loop junction ahead.

I continued counterclockwise on the Naches Peak Loop. The wildflowers were not as thick on this side of Naches Peak, but the views of Mount Rainier were excellent.

The Tatoosh Range.

Mt. Rainier and Naches Peak

Unnamed lake along the Naches Peak Loop.

There were some good flowers near the unnamed lake.

Robin

A nice buck crossed the trail just ahead of me then disappeared into the forest.

Harebells

Cedar waxwings

Mt. Adams

Hawkeye Point and Johnson Peak in the Goat Rocks Wilderness in front of Mt. Adams.

Sourdough Ridge

Yakima Peak and Highway 410.

Tipsoo Lake from the southern trailhead.

Yakima Peak from Tipsoo Lake.

Mt. Rainier from Tipsoo Lake.

Butterfly

Pine siskin

The trailhead where we had parked on the far side of a small pond.

With the detour to Dewey Lakes my hike wound up being 7.2-miles with roughly 1200′ of elevation gain.

This wound up being the perfect hike to end our trip with providing big views and extensive wildflower meadows along with a surprising variety of wildlife sightings. It was also short enough that we on our way back to Salem a little before 10am allowing us to be home mid-afternoon (no thanks to Portland traffic). It had been a great trip, even with the flat tire the first day. The temperatures had been especially welcome as it never got above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. It seems like it had been many years since our last summer vacation that didn’t include 90-to-100-degree temperatures at some point. We were also pleasantly surprised with how often we didn’t notice the crowds. While the park was busy there were times every day where we were able to enjoy a feeling of solitude, even in the Paradise Area. We weren’t in the park on a weekend so things might have felt differently on a Saturday, but our experience was very positive. I don’t know when we’ll be back, but there are still plenty of trails left for us to explore at Mount Rainier. Happy Trails!

Flickr: Naches Peak Loop

Tags cedar waxwings, Chinook Pass, deer, Dewey Lake, grouse, hiking, Mount Rainier National Park, Naches Peak, Naches Peak Loop, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Pacific Crest Trail, PCT, Tipsoo Lake, Washington, wildflowers, William O. Douglas Wilderness

Hiking Mt. Rainier Trip report Washington Washington Cascades

Comet Falls and Snow & Bench Lakes – 08/07/2025

Post author By derwoodynck
Post date August 14, 2025
No Comments on Comet Falls and Snow & Bench Lakes – 08/07/2025

After a wet Wednesday the forecast for Thursday looked a lot drier with only a slight chance of a shower in the morning and partly sunny skies by the afternoon. Our plan was to continue the waterfall theme from the day before (post) by visiting Comet Falls then check out a pair of lakes, Bench and Snow, before returning to Packwood for one final night.

It was dry but overcast when we arrived at the Comet Falls Trailhead.

The Van Trump Trail climbs relatively steeply for almost two miles to the base of Comet Falls. Total elevation gain is approximately 1250′ making this a fairly strenuous hike.

This footbridge is over Chrstine Falls which we got a view of the day before.

Van Trump Creek

Paintbrush

Several salmonberries were consumed during this hike.

Pika!

Fireweed

The steep set of stairs ahead were a workout.

Pearly everlasting

Beardtongue

Monkeyflower and yellow willow-herb

Unnamed fall on Van Trump Creek.

Rocky stretch of trail where the pikas were seemingly everywhere.

One pika!

Pika number 2, with snack.

Tall mountain bluebells

Confluence of the West and East Forks of Van Trump Creek.

Footbridge over the East Fork Van Trump Creek.

Bloucher Falls

It was just 200′ from Bloucher Falls to a viewpoint of Comet Falls. Unfortunately fog was hiding most of the view from the viewpoint, but continuing on the Van Trump Trail produced clearer views.

Comet Falls is over 300′ tall.

The best view of the morning before more fog rolled in.

The Van Trump Trail continues steeply uphill to Van Trump Park and can be connected to the Rampart Ridge Trail (post). Originally, we had planned on visiting the wildflowers and views at Van Trump Park, but after rearraigning our plans due to Sunday’s flat tire (post) and Wednesday’s rain we decided to turn around at Comet Falls.

Right about the time we headed back more fog moved in really obstructing the view of the falls.

Fog was now affecting the view of Bloucher Falls as well.

We kept our eyes out for pikas on the way down and were not disappointed.

Beardtongue

Pika with a mouthful of vegatation.

Stonecrop

Harebells

Penstemon

A pika and a thrush.

Blueberries

Twinflower

Chestnut-backed chickadee

Final drop to the trailhead.

Our 3.8-mile, 1250′ track.

From the trailhead we headed back toward Packwood for eight miles to the Snow Lake Trailhead. The trailhead itself was closed for repaving/striping, but we’d hoped to find a spot along one of the nearby pullouts. The two closest pullouts were full so we wound up driving 0.4-miles back up Stevens Canyon Road to the next available pullout.

The closed trailhead.

The pullout we parked at.

We had a 0.4-mile road walk to reach the trail.

The full pullouts on either side of the road.

While the trail is only about 1.2-miles long it gains over 600′ in a series of steep ups and downs.

False hellebore

Unicorn Peak in the clouds.

Gentian

The northern end of Bench Lake. There is reportedly a view of Mt. Rainier to the north from this rocky overlook however the clouds eliminated any chance of that today.

Spur trail to the left down to Bench Lake.

The spur trail was steep and very eroded. Heather took one look and said “no thanks” and continued on to Snow Lake.

On a clear day there would be a view of Mt. Rainier from the southern end of this lake.

Blurry great blue heron on the far side of Bench Lake.

After checking out Bench Lake I followed Heather toward Snow Lake.

Paintbrush

Footbridge over Unicorn Creek.

Arnica

Spur to Snow Lake Camp and the privy to the left.

Snow Lake

Sickle-top lousewort

Snow Lake from the outlet.

\
Snow Lake Trail passing above Snow Lake.

Unicorn Peak

The end of the maintained trail.

Unicorn Creek near its source.

Tents at Snow Lake Camp across the water.

We headed back after visiting Snow Lake and while the clouds began to break up the sky didn’t clear up enough for us to ever see Mount Rainier.

Unicorn Peak with a little blue sky.

Nuthatch

We stopped at the overlook of Bench Lake again to watch some deer in the brush below.

No view of the mountain today.

Due to where we parked this stop came in at 3.7-miles with a little over 700′ of elevation gain giving us a total of 7.3-miles and 1950′ on the day.

We returned to Packwood for our final night. We had burgers from Cliff Droppers for dinner then watched the elk graze in the grass behind our room.

Group A

Group B

Another great day at Mount Rainier was in the books with one more hike remaining. The next morning we would be heading for the Naches Peak Loop where we hoped to see some great wildflowers and epic views of Mount Rainier. Happy Trails!

Flickr: Comet Falls and Snow & Bench Lakes

Tags Bench Lake, Cliff Droppers, Comet Falls, hiking, Mount Rainier National Park, Packwood WA, Pika, snow lake, Snow Lake Trail, Unicorn Creek, Unicorn Peak, Van Trump Creek, Van Trump Trail, Washington

Hiking Mt. Rainier Trip report Washington Washington Cascades

Narada, Christine, Carter, Madcap, and Silver Falls (Mt. Rainier) – 08/06/2025

Post author By derwoodynck
Post date August 13, 2025
1 Comment on Narada, Christine, Carter, Madcap, and Silver Falls (Mt. Rainier) – 08/06/2025

The arrival of rain showers Wednesday had led us to change our plans into a “Waterfall Wednesday”. Our plan was to visit four or five of Mount Rainier National Park’s waterfalls starting with Narada Falls. With the rain clouds overhead we got a little later start and arrived at the Narada Falls Trailhead just before 6:30am.

Located along the Paradise River a short trail drops 100′ in just over tenth of mile to a viewpoint of the 168′ waterfall.

Small cascade above Narada Falls.

The viewpoint below from the top of Narada Falls.

Paradise River

The trail down to the viewpoint. It is possible to connect to the Wonderland Trail a tenth of a mile from the viewpoint allowing for longer hikes to Reflection Lakes or the Longmire Area.

After visiting the viewpoint we returned to our car and continued driving four miles west on Paradise Valley Road to a pullout just before Van Trump Creek.

An even shorter trail here led to a viewpoint of Chrstine Falls.

There was no sign for the short, paved path.

The path dropped about 40′ in less than 100 yards to the viewpoint.

Christine Falls

After checking out Chrstine Falls we again traveled west on Paradise Valley Road to the Longmire Area. Here we planned for a more substantial hike to Carter and Madcap Falls along the Wonderland Trail. We could have followed the Wonderland Trail down from Narada Falls to visit these two falls but that was a much steeper section of the trail than coming up from below. This was our second time starting a hike from Longmire. In 2019 we did an excellent Fall hike to Indian Henry’s Hunting Ground (post).

From Longmire we followed a pointer for the Wonderland Trail near the entrance road.

We followed this short 0.1-mile connector to the actual Wonderland Trail where we forked right.

In 2019 we had returned to Longmire via the left-hand fork.

The Wonderland Trail climbed gradually through the forest with occasional glimpses of the Nisqually River for 1.6-miles to the Carter Falls Trailhead.

Red huckleberries

Huckleberries

Starting at the Carter Falls Trailhead makes the hike to Carter and Madcap Falls 2.8-miles with 660′ of elevation gain. According to the Park’s construction schedule this TH was going be closed for repaving/striping on Wednesday, but that didn’t turn out to be the case.

From the Carter Falls Trailhead the Wonderland Trail dropped down to the Nisqually River where it crossed on the river on a single log footbridge.

Fireweed

Heather was not a big fan of how swiftly and close the river was flowing to the bridge.

Beyond the bridge the trail continued to climb, but now it was following the Paradise River.

There was a relatively short but steep section along this old pipe.

The steps ahead meant that we were close to Carter Falls.

Carter Falls

A tenth of a mile beyond Carter Falls the trail arrives at Madcap Falls.

Madcap Falls

We declared victory at Madcap Falls and returned the way we’d come. We had thus far avoided any heavy showers and had just experienced a light mist for most of the morning. As we neared Longmire the rain did pick up but fortunately it wasn’t long before we were back in the car.

The bridge coming from the other directon.

The Paradise River joining the Nisqually River.

Arriving back at the short connector trail to Longmire.

This hike wound up being 6.2-miles with approximately 1000′ of elevation gain.

We headed back toward Packwood with one more possible stop. Since we weren’t entirely soaked and it was still before Noon we were hoping to find a parking spot at the Grove of the Patriarchs Trailhead so we could visit Silver Falls. (We originally had also been planning on visiting the Grove of the Patriarchs, a stand of giant old growth trees, but the suspension bridge leading to the grove is damaged and that hike is currently closed.)

The busy, but not full, Grove of the Patriarchs Trailhead.

From this trailhead we crossed Stevens Canyon Road following a pointer for the Eastside Trail.

Normally a 3-mile loop is possible here, but ongoing construction had closed part of the loop near the Ohanapecosh Campground.

It was raining less here than it had anywhere else all morning allowing for a nice hike down through a beautiful forest.

Foam flower

The Ohanapecosh River was spectacularly clear and colorful.

A spur to the left leads to an overlook, but the better view is from the far side of the bridge over the river.

Silver Falls from the overlook.

For the best view skip the overlook and head for the railed section of trail across the river ahead.

The Ohanapecosh River flowing away from the bridge.

Silver Falls

This was our favorite view just uphill from the bridge.

After admiring this amazing waterfall we headed back the way we’d come. This stop was 1.6-miles and 300′ of elevation gain giving us a total of 8.3-miles and 1550′ of total elevation gain on the day.

All five of these waterfalls were worthy of a visit and this was a perfect day for it. We returned to Packwood and after hanging up our gear to dry we went out for coffee and bakery items from The Mountain Goat Coffee Company which really hit the spot. Happy Trails!

Flickr: Narada, Christine, Carter, Madcap, and Silver Falls

Tags Carter Falls, Christine Falls, hiking, Longmire, Madcap Falls, Mount Rainier National Park, Narada Falls, Nisqually River, Ohanapecosh River, Packwood WA, Paradise River, Silver Falls, The Mountain Goat Coffee Company, Washington, wonderland trail

Hiking Mt. Rainier Trip report Washington Cascades

Fremont Lookout and Burroughs Mountain (Mt. Rainier ) – 08/05/2025

Post author By derwoodynck
Post date August 12, 2025
No Comments on Fremont Lookout and Burroughs Mountain (Mt. Rainier ) – 08/05/2025

After getting replacement tires and hiking some of the trails in the Paradise Area on Monday (post) we headed for Mount Rainier’s Sunrise Area early Tuesday morning. Timed entry reservations are required to enter the Sunrise Corridor from 7am thru 5pm in 2025, so we made sure we were plenty early to avoid needing one.

We left Packwood, WA a little before 5am and stopped at Sunrise Point just before 5:45am to catch the tail end of the actual sunrise.

Alpenglow on Mt. Rainier.

Mt. Adams behind Barrier Peak

The view NE.

After the spectacular sunrise we continued up Sunrise Road and parked near the Sunrise Visitor Center.

Our first visit to Mount Rainier had been a 4-day backpacking trip (post) on the Northern Loop which began from Sunrise. Our first 1.6-miles followed our route from that trip following a “Trail Access” pointer to a wide trail next to a signboard.

There was no fog as there had been the day before, so we had good views as we climbed through open meadows toward Frozen Lake.

Looking back at the Sunrise Day Lodge.

Western pasque flowers and Mt. Rainier.

There is good signage throughout the park.

Parry’s arnica

Pine siskin

We went left when we reached the top of Sourdough Ridge.

A short distance along the ridge we were alerted to a herd of elk below in Huckleberry Basin.

There are at least seven elk visible in this photo.

A cow and three calves.

The trail climbed up along Sourdough Ridge and past Frozen Lake to a 5-way junction. The wildflowers on this side of the mountain are not as profuse as they are in the Paradise Area but there was still a nice variety of flowers in bloom.

False hellebore

A few remaining phlox flowers.

Paintbrush and aster

Rainiera

Pearly everlasting with a few paintbrush intermixed.

Harebells

Alumroot

Goldenrod

Lousewort and partridgefoot

First pika of the day.

Golden fleabane

Dwarf lupine

Penstemon and alpine false dandelions.

Catchfly

Frozen Lake which supplies water to the Sunrise area and is off-limits to visitors.

The 5-way junction. The Wonderland Trail is the first to the left and continues straight ahead. The Burroughs Mountain Trail is the second to the left heading uphill toward Mt. Rainier. To the right is the Mount Fremont Trail.

When we hiked the Northern Loop we had gone straight on the Wonderland Trail from this junction. Today’s plan was to head right to the Fremont Lookout then return to this junction and head out the Burroughs Mountain Trail returning to Sunrise via Shadow Lake.

We headed for the Fremont Lookout which was 1.3-miles away. After a brief initial steep climb the trail eased up and gradually climbed along the open hillside.

We took the righthand fork.

Passing above Frozen Lake.

Shrubby cinquefoil

The Burroughs Mountain Trail on the far hillside.

Heading up.

Frozen Lake behind.

The Fremont Lookout at the end of the ridge ahead.

The views from this trail were impressive as was the number of pikas living along the rocky hillside.

Looking back at Mt. Rainier.

Skyscraper Mountain directly ahead.

Pika

The rock fin in the foreground was pretty cool.

Yellow-bellied marmot

Penstemon

The trail eventually came to the top of the ridge as it neared the lookout.

The lookout is on the other side of the knoll ahead.

From the ridge we could see a ridge to the east where a herd of mountain goats was hanging out.

Heather pointed out this group in the rocks.

We took a break at the lookout taking in the views. It was chilly enough that we were eventually prompted to continue on.

Mount Rainier from the Fremont Lookout. Berkley Park is the green area below where the Northern Loop Trail climbs up to meet the Wonderland Trail.

The West Fork White River (post) below to the left. The plateau to the right is Grand Park (post).

The Mount Fremont Trail along the hillside with Little Tahoma to the right.

Chipmunk. Always begging but we will not be swayed. Please do not feed the animals no matter how cute they are.

Golden-mantled ground squrriel

Rocky Mountain goldenrod and alpine sandwort.

Paintbrush

Talus collomia

We made our way back down to the Burroughs Mountain Trail and began another 1.3-mile climb to Second Burroughs Mountain.

Bird’s beak lousewort

Cusick’s speedwell and white mountain heather.

Mt. Rainier beginning to come into view.

Looking across at the Mount Fremont Trail. The lookout is visible on the left shoulder of the middle peak.

Mount Rainier and Second Burroughs Mountain from First Burroughs Mountain.

I had gotten ahead of Heather and missed a mountain goat that peered over the hillside above her on the trail.

Our return trail, the Sunrise Rim Trail, met the Burroughs Mountain Trail on First Burroughs Mountain.

Berkeley Park from First Burroughs.

The Burroughs Mountain Trail dropped to a saddle between First and Second Burroughs Mountains then made a relatively steep climb to the top of Second Burroughs Mt.

Looking back at the saddle.

Heading up Second Burroughs.

The Goat Rocks (post) to the south.

Gilbert Peak, Goat Citadel, Littel Horn, Chimney Rock and Old Snowy Mountain in the Goat Rocks Wilderness.

Glacier Peak to the north beyond the Fremont Lookout.

All of my maps showed the Burroughs Mountain Trail dropping down from Second Burroughs and steeply descending to the Inter Fork River below Glacier Basin, however a trail does extend to Third Burroughs Mountain. That would have added three miles and over 1150′ of cumulative elevation gain to the day. That would have been tempting had we not already hiked up to the lookout, but since we had and we had another three days of hiking ahead of us we declared victory at Second Burroughs.

First Burroughs and the Inter Fork.

Emmons Glacier

Old Desolate Mountain to the left and Sluiskin Mountain to the right.

Bench on Second Burroughs.

Not sure if this is a thrush or something else (Merlin thought it was a horned lark but that doesn’t look right at all.)

After a nice break on Second Burroughs we headed back to First Burroughs and the Sunrise Rim Trail.

Pink mountain heather

Tundra aster

Lenticular cloud forming over Mt. Rainier.

The Sunrise Rim Trail junction.

We turned right on the Sunrise Rim Trail. This trail descended for 1.4-miles to the Wonderland Trail near Sunrise Camp and Shadow Lake.

A buckwheat

The lenticular cloud was growing.

Lupine and lousewort covered the hillside in spots.

Goldenrod and yarrow

As far as I can tell this unnamed lake isn’t shown on any maps.

Silverback luina

Dwarf mountain ragwort

Narrow sepal phacelia

Sourdough Ridge ahead.

Aster

Orange agoseris

Checkerspot

As we neared the Wonderland Trail we reentered the tree line where the wildflower display really picked up.

Sunrise Camp below along with the Wonderland Trail.

Old cabin near Sunrise Camp.

The Wonderland Trail heading toward Frozen Lake.

A short distance beyond Sunrise Camp we arrived at Shadow Lake.

Bistort and other flowers at Shadow Lake.

Lupine and elephants head

Shadow Lake

We stayed on the Wonderland Trail for another 0.7-miles beyond Shadow Lake then forked left for 0.6-miles to return to the Sunrise parking area.

Cinquefoil

More clouds forming. As nice as it was today Wednesday’s forecast called for showers all day with a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon.

Clark’s nutcrackers

We forked left a second time at a junction with the Silver Forest Trail.

Sunrise Visitor Center

After dropping off our packs we took a moment to explore the Visitor Center before heading back to Packwood.

This was interesting although neither of us had it in us to actually attempt to jump.

This hike clocked in at 9.3-miles with a little over 2000′ of elevation gain.

This was another amazing hike with huge views, plenty of wildflowers, and a lot of wildlife. It was also less crowded than the Paradise Area had been. I don’t know if that is a result of the timed entry reservation system or simply our choice of trails but there were plenty of moments of solitude during this hike. We had an early dinner at Cruiser’s Pizza back in Packwood (they have a full menu in addition to pizza) and worked on finalizing our plan for Wednesday’s hikes. With rain showers in the forecast for the entire day we did some shuffling of our planned hikes and made Wednesday a waterfall Wednesday. We were happy with our new schedule for the remainder of the week and were looking forward to the rest of the hikes. Happy Trails!

Flickr: Fremont Lookout and Burroughs Mountain