Boundary Trail - Mount St. Helens, WA

I decided to return to Mount St. Helens again since last week's Boundary trail (west) hike via Hummocks Trail which I really enjoyed. This time I wanted to hike the east side of Boundary Trail from Johnston Ridge Observatory. Also, this week happened to be the 36th anniversary since May 18, 1980 eruption.
After spending a short time visiting Johnston Ridge Observatory, I started out my hike from the trailhead right by the observatory building. The trail is paved part of the way to the vista point upon the hill and eventually splits into two directions....one (paved) loops down to the main parking lot and the other (dirt) continues along the ridge towards Boundary Trail (east) which interconnects to Truman Trail.

As you hike along the route, enjoy the breathtaking views of Mount St. Helens on one side and the rocky peaks and mountain valley on the other. The views are quite dramatic and show such a contrast....moon like terrains devastated by the eruption vs. rocky mountain peaks with deep green forest. Wildflowers are just beginning to bloom in colors of spring adding to the scenery.

There was a sign which said "Boundary Trail is closed at 1.5 miles/Devil's Elbow due to slides", but the slides area is restored and safe to pass Devil's Elbow although it is very exposed and sheer drop, so use caution when you traverse Devil's Elbow.

Take in the stunning views at the vista point of Devil's Elbow....Mount St. Helens directly facing to north, Pumice plain, Spirit Lake and Mt. Adams. From this point on, the trail slightly descends and soon meets with Truman Trail. There the options are either to continue Boundary trail towards Mount Margaret/St. Helens Lake or take Truman Trail towards Mount St. Helens pumice plain/Loowit Falls. I ended my journey right before Truman Trail and turned around. The trekking distance was about 2.5 miles one way from the observatory.

This is a great hike with fantastic views without much elevation gain. With wildflowers fully blooming soon (hopefully), the hike will be totally exquisite!

 

Cowiche Mountain/Snow Mountain Ranch - Yakima, WA

April 30, 2016

After I totally enjoyed myriads of spring wildflowers with hiking Sauer's Mountain a few days ago, I decided to hit east again....this time to explore Snow Mountain Ranch/Cowiche Mountain Trail in Yakima.

As described in another hiker's trip report, the trailhead is located in about 1/4 mile after passing the white sign of Snow Mountain Ranch. There you find a large gravel parking lot with a trail sign. There is also a kiosk soon after trekking across the creek from the parking lot, and it provides a portable map for visitor's convenience. I took one map with me and it was very useful to guide me to decide which trail to take.

There are several trails interconnecting in this hike, so you can choose your route depending on how far you want to hike. I started with Entry Trail and headed toward Wildflowers Trail via Ditch Bank Trail. Then, I took Wildflowers Trail up to Bench Trail where I hiked up along Cowiche Mountain Trail East ascending to the top of Cowiche Mountain. For descending, I took Cowiche Mountain Trail East all the way down to Ditch Bank Trail and returned to Entry Trail. I think the total hiking distance was about 6 miles. Elevation gain was about 1,100 ft. The trail is maintained well over all, but partially rocky and narrow.

Wildflowers are still hanging in there, though some are already peaking out, specially the ones in lower elevation. If you want to see wildflowers blooming now, I recommend to hike Bench Trail and Cowiche Mountain Trail East toward the top of Cowiche Mountain. Wildflowers are still exhibiting nicely....specially along Bench Trail and higher elevation of Cowiche Mountain Trail East.

There was a nice breeze when I hiked this afternoon, so it was comfortable to hike even in the middle of the day....it was 75 degrees in the parking when I started my hike. The hike is entirely open range with no shade at all, so I highly recommend to prepare for heat and sun if you do this hike on a sunny day....and stay hydrated during the hike.

Although wildflowers were not as much as I expected, I really enjoyed the hike with the freedom of the open range and rolling terrain with fantastic views of the green grass farm lands down below and mountain ranges in the distance. It's definitely different from the views of N. Cascades peaks, but it has its own beauty, indeed. I am glad I did this hike. By the way, it was interesting to see a bath tub out of nowhere....???

Reflection Lake, Bench Lake and Snow Lake - Mt. Rainier, WA

May 13, 2016

Stevens Canyon Road is partially plowed now and the road is open from Paradise Road to Snow Lake trailhead.

Since I've done quite a bit of snowshoeing adventures from Paradise area this snow season, I was looking for something different when I arrived at Paradise yesterday. So, I asked a ranger at the visitor center for a suggestion. He suggested snowshoeing into Bench and Snow Lake as Stevens Canyon Road was recently plowed and partially open. I took his recommendation and headed down to Stevens Canyon Road from Paradise.

On the way, I stopped at Reflection Lake to see how the lake looked like.....it's still snow/ice covered, but some melting. I could find a reflection of Mt. Rainier in a small pool of water, however.

Stevens Canyon Road is blocked off at Snow Lake trailhead and there is a small off road parking area by the trailhead. There is no restroom, so use the ones at Paradise or Narada Falls.

I was thinking of putting on snowshoes at first, but after assessing the snow condition and boot tracks of previous hikers, I decided to snow-hike without snowshoes. From the trailhead sign, I followed the trail and the rest was just to follow boot tacks through the thin forest. The hike gently climbs until you reach the open space (snow covered meadows). From there I kept trekking towards Tatoosh Range/Unicorn peak....pretty much straight forward. The snow was a little slushy all along, but not icy....relatively firm and occasionally soft. I experienced no post-holing.

Instead of traveling by Bench Lake, I set my course to Snow Lake aiming to ascend directly up to the saddle (steep, but short) from the end of the meadow. There is a big rock on top of the saddle where you can sweep the view of Mt. Rainier and the meadow down below. From the saddle I continued the journey down towards Unicorn Peak and soon reached Snow Lake. Snow Lake is still mostly snow covered at this point. It was interesting to see a gully above Snow Lake which is the gateway to summit Unicorn Peak....highest peak among Tatoosh Range.

I enjoyed this hike with the mountain views of Mt. Rainer and Tatoosh Range and the terrains along the hike providing me serenity and solemnity. In comparison, I could imagine how busy this trail would be with many hikers once snow melts and into summer.

The trail is still buried under snow at this point...at least a few feet of snow, it seems....except the beginning of the trail by the trailhead. There is one narrow/shallow creek en route, but easy to cross. Although I hiked without snowshoes or microspikes and encountered no issues yesterday, snowshoes may be helpful, depending on your comfort level and assessment of the snow condition.

This is a great short hike if you prefer a quiet and less crowded (for now) adventure and something different from Paradise area. In fact, I am intrigued to explore Unicorn Peak now after this hike!

Hummocks Trail and Boundary West Trail - Mount St. Helens, WA

May 9, 2016

Hike of the week recommended by WTA. I decided to head out to hike Hummocks trail combined with Boundary West. The weather was perfect...sunny and not too warm as there was a light breeze.

This is a wonderful hike for all ages, particularly Hummocks Trail. It offers fantastic views of Mount St. Helens with educational and interesting information about the geology and history of Mount St. Helens since the volcanic eruption in 1980. It is amazing you can actually hike along the area where the landscape and ecology were devastated by the eruption and it's been reforming by nature's own will and cycle ever since. I learned so much of the area's landscape geology through the hike.

From the trailhead, I followed Hummocks Trail and at the trail junction I continued on to Boundary Trail heading east. The trail is in good shape and easy to trek with gentle ups and downs. After about a mile in, it begins to climb steeply in switchbacks....be ready to get your heart rate going!
As you keep gaining elevations, the views of the valley down below and Mount St. Helens get better and better. Seeing a remnant of the past all along the trail, you could only imagine the catastrophic force of the eruption which wiped out the area 36 years ago.

I stopped the hike before reaching Loowit Viewpoint because I was running out of time after 7pm. So, I enjoyed the spectacular views of Mount St. Helens and the valley down below on the way and turned around to head back to the trailhead. I returned to my car a little after 8pm. Interestingly, I saw a cougar crossing the highway soon after I drove out of the trailhead parking lot. It looked like a little over 2 ft long and had a dark brown fur.

Wildflowers are just starting to bloom....paintbrush, lupine, phlox, foxglove and so on. They will get into full swing very soon if weather cooperates. The road to Johnston Ridge Observatory is still closed at Coldwater Lake, but it is scheduled to open this weekend/May 14. I would like to go back to hike and explore again....perhaps, hike around the observatory and Spirit Lake area next time.

Mount Townsend - Olympic Peninsula, WA

May 7, 2016

This is a fantastic hike with awesome views, WOW!!! I read this hike is one of the most popular hikes on the Olympic Peninsula through all seasons....and now I know why.

The trail climbs gradually and in steady pace gaining 3,200' in 4 miles. It's a bit long hike with a good elevation gain, but I saw quite a few family hikers with kids on trail. The tail is in good condition over all, except one section of the trail blocked with major blow downs....several trees as a cluster. But, you can trek over them or veer around them. Hopefully they will be cleared soon as the main hiking season is just starting and getting busier with more hikers. There are small patches of snow here and there on the trail at higher elevations, but nothing to worry about. Perhaps, they will all disappear pretty soon as this warm weather may likely persist. I had hiking poles with me just in case, but hardly used them after all.

The hike is really wonderful.....deep forest, creek crossings, water falls, and switchbacks with fantastic views. Wildflowers are just beginning, and I particularly enjoyed glacier lilies blooming.

Jaw-dropping panoramic views open up as you come out of the forest. Enjoy the views of the deep valley down below and Cascades range on the skyline.....and in between is Puget Sound. Continue to ascend the steep face going up above Camp Windy in switchbacks, and take as many stops (and pictures!) as you want because the views get even better as you ascend.....Glacier Peak, Mt. Rainier, Mt. Baker, Olympic range, the Sound and beyond.

Go right to Mount Townsend at the sign of "Silver Lake/Mount Townsend". Breathtaking vistas never stop following you as you continue to ascend from there, weather permitting, of course. Take in 360 panoramic views at the summit....all the majestic mountain views of Olympic range to west and Cascades to east....Mt. Rainier, Mt. St. Helens, Glacier Peak, Mt. Baker. To north, San Juan Islands, Strait of Juan de Fuca, Vancouver Island are visible. Seattle and Puget Sound cities are seen tucked in between. I think Mount Townsend is the only place so far where I could see the entire region and mountain ranges with Puget Sound in one single hike. It's a long drive from Seattle to do this hike, but it is totally worth it. Two thumbs up! Snow is melting fast now, so I highly recommend to do this hike soon if you want to see snow-capped mountain ranges in the background. Very beautiful.

By the way, the forest road to trailhead is mostly paved, but there are lots of pot holes and dips! Most of them are well marked with bright red paint, but some are not....so, use caution as you drive on the forest road to trailhead. Also, the trailhead parking lot is not big enough to accommodate the popularity of this hike, it seems. I saw many cars parked on the forest road as a result of overflow. I was lucky, however, I could find a parking in the lot as I arrived in the late afternoon (after 3pm).

Mount Storm King - Olympic Peninsula, WA

May 2, 2016

Another great workout hike in the Olympic Peninsula. I'd put Mt. Storm King next to Mt. Rose as the trail is equally steep, but just a mile shorter.

The hike begins from the Marymere Falls Nature Trail by the Storm King Ranger Station, and in less than a quarter mile you come to the trail sign of Storm King.

The trail climbs steep from the beginning and continues that way all along the journey with little ease. The good news is the hike is less than 2 miles one way! So, take your time and pace yourself. It's worth the effort after all and the reward is a spectacular view of Lake Crescent from the top.

After grueling march through the treeline, views open up with Lake Crescent and surrounding deep green mountain range. There are a series of vantage points along the ledge/saddle, but very exposed!....so, be careful. The trail continues along the narrow ridge gaining more elevation to the top.

To reach the top for a grand vista point, you have to ascend a couple of exposed steep and slippery dirt slopes....sheer drop. There is a rope setup for those steep sections so that you can safely climb. I had a pair of gloves in my pack and they became handy specially for descending....I learned this trick for better grip and not getting blistered when I climbed Yosemite's Half Dome.....no worries, however, Storm King is not that steep or long. 

After the exciting and thrilling climb, you finally come to a rocky peak....the vantage point you were waiting for. Take in the breathtaking view....Lake Crescent, Olympic range, Strait of Juan de Fuca and Vancouver Island. I was amazed to see how blue the water is. It was also interesting and educational to be able to look at the region from a bird's eye view and understand how the geological terrains are formed and divided by mountain ranges and waters, which creates characteristic climate conditions in the Olympic region - rain, snow, sunshine/clouds, dry/wet...and sustaining ecology of different landscapes and living things.

When you descend, just be careful and take your time not to slip as you hike down the steep slopes with the assistance of the rope! By the way, wildflowers are blooming....quite a few orchids and they were beautiful! After the hike, I made a quick stop at Lake Crescent Lodge and strolled along the lake shore trail....I was greeted by a couple of deer! The lodge has a picturesque lake view and there is a restaurant/gift shop inside....it's a nice place to relax after the hike and before you hit the road back home!

Sauer's Mountain - WA

April 28, 2016

OMG!!! Yes, that was my first reaction when I saw them. So many wildflowers!!! I had never seen that many wildflowers blooming in one hike in springtime, besides summer's wildflowers. I literally dropped my jaw when I saw those endless wildflowers from the beginning to the end...all the way from trail head to the summit. I am NOT kidding. In fact, I couldn't sleep last night since all the beautiful flowers were still twirling so vividly in my head like a kaleidoscope!

If you want to see those impressive wildflowers and dip your body and soul into them, I highly recommend doing this hike soon and capture the beauty of the spring wildflowers before they are gone. They are absolutely fantastic!

The WTA's description of the hike is correct. So, you can refer to it for hiking details and driving directions. However, I took I-90 from Seattle instead of HWY 2 because GPS showed I could save 15 min....which made sense as the trailhead is located in a small town of Pershastin south of Leavenworth.

I met Mr. Sauer at the beginning of the hike. He was sitting on a chair by his vineyard along the trail and friendly greeting hikers. He said he was over 80 years old and growing wine grapes right there for many years. It was nice to meet him and come to know the man who has been a significant part of Sauer's Mountain history.

Trail is in good shape, but narrow, so be courteous to fellow hikers when foot traffic is heavy. There are several steep slopes, but they are very short, so nothing to worry about. The trail ascends gradually in most parts. 3 miles one way gaining 2,000 ft.

Enjoy views as you ascend....they are really beautiful and peaceful - Stuart Range, Wenatchee River Valley, Icicle Ridge and the Enchantments. The trail eventually splits as a loop, and you can go either way because it meets back again. If you go to right at the loop sign, it takes you through a forest to the summit. If you take left, it takes you along the viewpoint of Wenatchee River Valley. The way I did was to take the right fork to ascend through the forest, and descended via the other way so that I could explore both routes of the loop.

At the summit, take in the grand vistas of the mountain ranges across the valley below you. The top of Glacier Peak is also visible. The trail continues from the summit to a little higher level until it finally drops down to the other direction. I followed the trail a little farther from the summit because wildflowers were all over along the summit ridge!!!

I saw lots of wild birds and they kept singing all along the hike. With myriads of wildflowers and wild birds singing, I felt mesmerized somewhere deep into wonderland. Sauers Mountain is a magical hike with countless spring wildflowers all over!