Repeating my favorate trip last year.
Due to a hot and dry spring, flowers are a disappointment this year, but the views here never disappoint. More deer this time.
Instead of scrambling up to McCartney Peak, this time, a more relaxed excursion to Grand Pass Peak (last year it had too much snow) on day 2.
Also I managed to score the camping permit at Gladys Lake for 2 nights, which made things easier.
7/11, Saturday. Took the 8:50am
ferry.
Didn't wait too long. Very cloudy today, couldn't see any Olympic peaks from Hurricane Ridge.
We didn't make a stop, continued onto Obstruction Point road.
Shortly into this gravel road, I saw 2 clusters of Olympic Bellflowers on the north side (left), no more later.
Ate some sliders that I got from Amazon yesterday. Around noon, we headed down to Badger Valley.
Only a few minutes into the trail, saw a bear near the trail to Deer Park. Cool.
My first bear this year! He's pretty big, moving slowly down the slope, poking the ground from time to time.
Saw a ranger coming out. She checked our permit and inquired about bear can.
I told her we didn't bring one because there are bear wires.
She said that the wires are not maintained and bear can is now required. At least she didn't write us a ticket or chase us out.
Badger Valley still has quite some vetch, but the amount of Tiger Lily is miniscule.
Saw some white rhodies, butterwort, bog orchid, quite a lot of harebells, a mother grouse and her 3 kids.
A family of deer at Grand Lake.
Continued onto Moose Lake. More deer.
Saw the ranger station (don't remember seeing it last summer).
Took another break at the large meadow. A lady walked by and chatted with us.
She saw bear yesterday.
Continued onto Gladys Lake. Many more deer.
Took quite some time looking for a camp site.
The one we used last year was taken.
Didn't like the #1 in the woods, right at a trail junction.
#3 is better, more open, but no view.
Found another good site south of the lake, taken too.
Eventually we set up the tent on a gravel slope further up Grand Creek. Not quite leveled. But great view, and less mosquitoes.
I didn't get a single bite on this trip.
Brought too much food. Hung them up on one of the bear wires. There are 3 pully systems. Thick metal wires.
I don't see them deteriating any time soon, unless the trees they are tied to fell.
No one else used them. I guess they all brought bear cans.
Chilly night, good stars.
7/12, Sunday.
Frost on the ground in the morning, wet tent.
We didn't leave until the sun was shining onto the tent.
Headed up to Grand Pass, which we visited years ago (2008).
No snow on track today, even though we saw snow nearby.
Passed a pond, which a small campsite.
As we got higher, better view. Great view at the pass.
Saw some Cliff Douglasia.
Continued on to Grand Pass Peak. There's a trail. Now there seems to be a trail everywhere.
The summit is a spraw area of rocks.
We walked around looking for
Olympic Bellflowers.
Didn't find any. Stop for an early lunch (only 10am), while soaking the view.
A marmott, and couple of chipmuncks.
=
Looking down the trail to Grand Pass, and the Grand Pass Trail.
Back at Grand Pass, I continued on Grand Pass Trail north down into Cameron Creek valley.
The beginning of the descent is somewhat steep. Soon easies into long zigzag.
Below the pond is a flowering meadown.
Saw pink and yellow willowherb, columbine, most of all is bistort.
A deer. Some pink yaroow.
Then the trail drops precipitously down along a small creek in a gully.
A lot of butterflies, quite some flowers.
The trail then enters into trees, long gentle zigzag.
At ~5400' (after, I checked at the map, I'd have to drop below 4200' before hitting Cameron Creek trail.
Gave up. Went back up to Grand Pass (~6400'). Just a few feet below, saw Olympic Bellflower.
I took another lunch break, before descending to camp.
On the way, saw a couple of hikers coming up.
Later, tried my hand on fishing. I didn't catch anything, it was entertaining.
Clouds increased. You can see the cloud/fog roll over water.
Less cold tonight. No stars.
7/13, Monday.
Didn't pack up until sun shone on us. The condensation on the tent with the gravel/dust ground made things quite dirty.
Clear sky. Sunny. Going up Low Pass.
From the Low Pass, crest a rocky peak (minor scramble). There, saw some Olympic Bellflowers, and Alpine Collomia.
Continued north to Mouse Peak.
There, met a group of 4 climbers with ropes and helmets.
They plan to camp at one Lillian Lake, and climb McCartney and continue on to Cameron Peak.
Otherwise, we didn't see anyone until back on the regular trail.
From here, now we can see the scree traverse ahead. Don't rmember the track so well defined last year. Maybe because the 4 climbers just came that way.
In the sliding scree, saw the bellflower, larkspur, and phacelia.
More bellflowers on the crest of the ridge.
As we were near the regular trail, met a runner and a hiker.
The rest is easy. Back to the car around 1pm.
Much better view today at Hurricane Ridge road.
The Kingston Ferry now requires a "boarding pass" from an automatic dispenser along the road.
Like getting into a parking garage, press the button, and get the pass.
At the entrance gate, need this pass when paying for the ferry.
All is smooth.
6/11, Thursday, first game of 2026 World Cup for soccer.
Hundreds, maybe a thousand people gathered at Seattle Center to watch the live broadcast of the very first game from Mexico City, Mexico vs South Africa.
Many dressed in Mexican flag color (red + green), some like these are fully decked out in La Catrina style. So colorful and festival.
In the center of the right photo is the Mexican TV broadcaster and the Mexican Consule in Seattle.
Only a few minutes into the game, Mexico scored the first goal (out of 2).
The whole place erupted with cheer.
There were 6 games played in Seattle.
6/25, Thursday, USA vs Belgium is one of the 6, the only one US played here.
South Lake Union park hosted a watch party outdoor, with many games for all ages. I watched the 2nd half of this game. Quite fun.
Many other places all over Seattle hosted watch parties.
Example is Westlake Park here. I didn't watch this game.
Most of the games I watched were in Seattle Center's Armory, with facilities, long tables and many chairs. Indoor, with AC.
