Sunday, June 22, 2014

2014.6.22. Observation Peak

Sunday. 26°C. Cloudy in the morning. 6 of us started from Trapper Creek #192 then turn off on #132 where the slope gently starts along Howe Ridge. Turn left on #132A for half a mile to Observation Peak where we stopped for lunch. A small flat spot covered with little flowers. A couple of beargrass were blooming. View is excellent, left to right: St Helen, Rainier, Goat Rocks, Adams, Hood, Jefferson. However too many mosquitos chased us out pretty soon. My finger and faces were attacked, as I was wearing permethrin coated long sleeve and long pants. Continue onto #158 Big Hollow. Upslope is about 7 miles 3000', so pretty gentle. Down is about 4 miles, not particularly steep, but it was continuous. Total about 5:10 hours on the trail. Good to come back to town early.