2025.8.2-3, Fishing at Fisher Lake

I hurt my left foot last Monday on stairs, and it was swelling and blue. By Friday, swelling had subsided, but still a bit blue, so opt to Fisher Lake for an easy overnight. I figured I could handle 10 miles spread over 2 days.

8/2, Saturday. Left Seattle after lunch. Hwy-2 was a bit slow but not congested.

Tonga Ridge TH is over 4000', the car made all the elevation via a ~10 mile gravel road. The road surface isn't too bad, possible in a regular passenger car. There were already 8 cars parked there.

The trail goes up for a short while, and then on a rolling ridge in the trees. The first view is on a short spur to the north. Too cloudy today to see Glacier Peak. Met 2 parties of hikers coming out.

About 2 miles in, there's a side trail left going up to Mount Sawyer. It's 3/4 miles and 680' up to the summit. The trail is easy, very gradual after the initial 5 minutes. It zigzags over a huckleberry slope. The higher you are, the better view to the south: Mt Daniel and Hinman are the most. Met a couple hiking down. The last big is somewhat rocky, but the nicely made trail makes it very easy. There are 2 flat spots to pitch a tent. No 360° view. Walk around for views to different direction. A bit hazy today, especially to west and north. Otherwise, great view. Met the young couple who parked in front of us. Ate some huckleberry. Most need another 2 weeks to ripe.

Wasted a few minutes to look for a way down on the ridge. No track, too brushy. Took the same way down to the main Tonga Ridge trail. A nice slope filled with bracket fern and fireweed, then trees again. In less than a mile, walked into a huckleberry meadow. Here, you'd need a GPS map. Too many side trails, more than what's marked on my map.

After a few minutes, it's a steep uphill, which leads to another huckleberry meadow, mixed with some plants looking like waterlily. Must be swamppy a month earlier. By the time I was here, mosquitoes were on to me. It was already 7pm.

Then another uphill, before dropping down through woods to Fisher Lake. Very large, pretty. My partner had already secured a nice camp site, and was fishing when I arrived. A little buggy at this hour (7:30pm), no fish.

Repacked a day pack with food+water, fishing gear, headlamp. We headed further east for Semaphore Lake. We passed through 3 more camping parties. The next site is the best, large, good view of the lake. I went to take a photo of the lake, and one guy told me that they went to Semaphore Lakes earlier today: good fishing at lower lake, no fish at upper lake. The trail gets faint after the outlet of Fisher Lake. There are a couple of ribbons. We didn't have too much trouble finding the track (none on my map). It basically circle the bottom of Jumar Mountain.

The upper lake is also very pretty, quite big. It even has a small island. A tent on the island. A red inflatable at the far end of the lake. No more track to the lower lake. Probably need boulder hopping. My partner caught a cut throat trout, while I was washing nearby (it was muggy today). The guy on the boat rowed back to the island. I heard him saying good fishing at the other end. I didn't see any fish here. We put the fish in a plastic bag, and headed back. It was already 8:30pm, and getting dark.

Half way up, we lost the trail. With headlamp, we bushwacked maybe 10-15 minutes, got back to the trail right near the outlet. A short adventure.

Back at camp, I fried the fish in the newly purchased pan, while my partner took another swim. Only added salt. It was very good. What a splendid finish of a day.

Almost 10pm, when all is cleaned up. No more mosquitoes. I spent quite sometime trying to hang our food (together with the fish bones), without success. No loose rock, so I used a shoe. But no good tree limb for me to throw the rope without fear of getting my shoe stuck. Gave up. Star wasn't good, half moon, light beyond the ridge to the south. Warm night. Still air.

8/3, Sunday. Packing up a little after 8am. Sunny, more clouds. I forgot my earbud and hiked back to look for it. Didn't find it :( As we hiked out, the clouds got thicker and lower. No view, but much cooler than yesterday afternoon. Again, no wind. Met 3 parties coming in. The first couple had fishing gear.

56°F at the parking lot. 11am. Still got stuck in the Goldbar traffic. Not too bad: extra 35 minutes. The congestion started in Goldbar. While stuck in the queue, snapped a photo of this Haystack Company in Sultan. They sell antique and decoration. According to Google review, they also operates an Airbnb.

2025.7.31. US Navy ship tour

For 4 days (Thur-Sun), public was invited to the ship tour during the fleet-week, at US Coast Guard base at Pier 46. I walked from Bainbridge Island ferry south between 2 fences. It was about a mile south of Bainbridge Ferry. Even after I saw Pier 46 sign, the entrance was still farther south. A very large area.

The coast guard let us sit inside its helicopter. This one is based in North Bend (Coos Bay), OR. Many booths, encourage you to enlist, trying out rifles, ... Not a bad turnout. The tour of each ship needs to wait. They process us by batches. Photos are allowed only on deck.

USS Jack H Lucas, named after Jack H. Lucas, who served in the U.S. Marines at Iwo Jima and survived after jumping on to a grenade. The ship was built in Mississippi, and was commissioned in 2023. Based in San Diego. The ship is 509 feet in length and has a crew of 359 enlisted Sailors, 27 Chief Petty Officers and 41 officers. The USS Jack H. Lucas is the Navy’s first Flight 3 Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer.

USS Somerset (Wikipedia), named for Somerset County, in honor of the 40 passengers and crew who gave their lives on United Airlines Flight 93 at 911, whose names are engraved on the ship. The ship is 684 feet in length and has a crew of 699 Sailors. It is an San_Antonio-class amphibious transport dock. 2 helicopters on deck, one is manned by 4 guys, one by 2 (one lady). Many trucks in its bowel, a canon too.

Overall, it was interesting. While I was touring USS Somerset, Blue Angles were performing or practicing. Very loud. We all stopped to watch when they flew over.

2025.7.26-27. Goat Rocks via Lily Basin

Still wanted to see flowers, headed out south to a different destination, and on route, decided to go to Goat Rocks instead, without checking up-to-date trail reports. Lily Basin trail is a longer approach to the core of Goat Rocks Wilderness. So, it's less used. Last time I came here was early August 2020, and really liked this approach. However, at that time, we needed micro-spikes to cross a snow slope. Hoping this year's dry weather would render that section safe without added traction.

7/26, Saturday. The large ditch on NF-48 had disappeared, but the rest 12 mile gravel road isn't any better. Still took some time. I did stop at the visitor center in Packwood inquiring snow conditions on the trail. The lady there had no upto date info to share.

The first 3 miles of the trail is in the trees, more or less on a ridge. No view. Saw a campsite here and there in the trees. Then a glimpse of Packwood Lake below. It's large.

Another mile or so, we emerge from the trees. Angry Mountain ahead. Views are non-stop from then on. Soon after crossing the ridge, we arrived at our first break spot: a nice campsite next to a creek among flowers. We took a break here 5 years ago. Met a couple of day hikers here.

Continue on, had a few more small creek crossing (for water), along a slope with small tree patches. Open visa, but few shade. A lot of flowers. Started to see Rainier.

After going around Peak 6148, dropping 2-300', then leveled up above Heart Lake. Here, I remembered seeing tons of columbine last time (early Aug). This time, it's scarlet paintbrush painting the hillside red.

Contouring the lake, slowly gaining ~600', more rocks than grass. Here, we saw a large group of goats, maybe 2 families. Because after they notices us, they ran into 2 different directions. Saw some nice campsites here, but open (no shade).

As we approached the Goat Ridge, we ran into a guy coming back (who camped at Heart Lake). I inquired about the snow patch, which we could see then (much smaller than 5 years ago early Aug). We followed his footstep. Didn't need spikes, just walk slowly and kicking steps.

Pitch the tent right below the ridge. Same area we set up camp last time. More snow then. We could see a dozen or so tents below in the Upper Jordan Basin. This photo was taken the next morning. After we set up camp, the clouds rolled in. I still wanted to go to Hawkeye Point. So had to wait out.

A few minutes before 8pm, I decided to go up despite of the clouds. It's less than a mile, about 7-800'. So, fairly easy. I met 2 guys at the foggy summit. They were starting to go down. I told them I'd wait for sunset. As luck would have it, the clouds started to lift. These 2 turned back. We watched the sun coating the clouds and hills in glowing orange. It was an amazing spectable.

7/27, Sunday. We headed down to Goat Lake, through myriads of flowers. It was busy. At least 30 tents. So crowded. Some tents pitched right on trail. Mt Adams to the south.

We took the cutoff up through heather fields, towards PCT. We turned around at this ridge overlooking Knife Edge and Upper Lake Creek basin. Mt Rainier in front, can see Goat Lake from here too. No goats here this time. Saw a lot last year. Saw only 1 person on our way out, and 1 couple on our way up. Much less traveled.

Back at camp by 11am. Packed up, and hiked out just as we came. About 8 miles to car.

Relived all the flowers and mountain views in the opposite direction. Didn't encounter anyone, until way in the trees. No goats either. Saw a snake. Met an older couple with 2 different saws looking for obstacles to clear out. Thank you!

When we drove out of the woods and into Packwood, saw a famil of elks right by the main road in town. What a nice finish of our trip. Still 3 hours to go till Seattle.

2025.7.20. Squire Creek Pass via Eight Mile Creek

Looking through WTA's recent trip reports for a day hike that is not strenuous and not crowded. Settled on Squire Creek Pass, a new one for me. The TH is on a road that doesn't exist on Google Map (exists on Open Street Map).

7/20, Sunday. From the town of Darrington, turn south on Mt Loop Hwy for ~3 miles to just before Clear Creek Campground. Turn right (south) onto Clear Creek Road (Google calls it Frog Creek Road). Drive ~5.2 miles. Take the right fork and drive another ~half mile. There's a pull out on your left for a few cars. We saw 2 there. Trail is on your right (west). Elevation ~1700'.

The first 3/4 mile is in the trees. The trail emerged to a talus field at the foot of 3 O'Clock Rock. I investigated the side track to the rock: too bushy and no view. Already had a bit of fall color. Good view over the valley, and Squire Slab.

The trail goes next the 3 O'Clock Rock and goes up, at times aggressively. Into trees again. The trail is quite rugged with roots and rocks. More and more onto large slabs of granite. Any indentation is now a pool of mosquito water. Eventually more views to the Ulalach Rock to the right, and High Squire to the left.

The trail gets gentle near the pass, almost flat. Pay attention to the cairn. A lot of huckleberry bushes, but a bit too early for ripe berries. Saw a girl running the trail. At the pass, large slab of granite, a lot of place to spread out. View of Whitehorse and Three Fingers dead in your face. Only 1 other party: a couple and their dog.

Had a quick lunch, while waiting for the clouds to lift. But too many mosquitoes, so we headed back. Saw a beautiful butterfly who didn't fly away when we walked by. Possibly a Rocky Mountain Apollo. At 3 O'Clock Rock, saw a girl half way up on the rock face.

Back in Seattle around 5pm, a short but good workout: 5.4 mile RT, 2350' EG.

2025.7.19. Mount Forgotten via Perry Creek

7/19, Saturday. Cloudy.

I signed up a meetup for Mount Forgotten when it was first announced. However, by the end of the week, the to-go list was 25. That number scares me. I still wanted to go there, especially after learning that there are many fern species on Perry Creek trail. There was a WNPS outing a month ago to look at the ferns. Here is a plant list for this trail. Coincidently, Charles bailed out of the Daniel - Dip Top loop, so I contacted him to do Forgotten before the large group.

I got picked up ~6am near home instead of at an I-5 exit, because I-5 northbound was shutdown this weekend. Thankfully, the express lane was open. It was convenient to get on the express lane from Mercer St.

Started our hike in fog. Parking lot (shared with Mt Dikerman) was about half full. ~1900'. 1st mile of Perry Creek trail resembles a decommissioned road, which leads to the former TH and onwards. After a short while, it goes into the Perry Creek valley, on the east side of the valley, without seeing the creek. Steep and green hills on both side. Almost 2 miles. It was very cloudy, sometimes not able to see the other side. Other times, saw some narrow waterfall on the oppo Saw clusters of harebells, fireweed. Devil's club is happy, with ripening seeds. Lots of ferns in the talus area, but I couldn't identify them except parsley fern with distinct sterile and fertile leaves. The biodiversity just before Perry Creek falls is designated as a natural research area.

After crossing Perry Creek (~3.1 mile and ~1400' from TH), the trail zigzags up a forested slope, for ~1.5 mile and 1600' to a ridge. Saw some pinesap and coralroot. Nice tread. At the ridge, some small tracks to the left (north) for a limited view of the north side of the ridge. Too cloudy to see much. Here, many tall huckleberry and willow bushes. Continued on east, soon enter a huckleberry + heather meadow under Peak 5396. Normally it's a logical turn-around, with good view and a tarn. Elevation ~5200'.

Continue north, ignore a track on the left and up to a ridge, you'll find a track going straight down. Take care (not bad) going down this short stretch, then it's a traverse on the east side of the ridge. Clouds cleared a bit, there's a promise of a nice view. Many flowers on the steep slope. A very nice stretch of about half a mile. The trail is fairly easy to follow. At a big rock, keep left and go up in trees, and continue the traverse for another 1/4 mile.

Finally reach a flat area, with a tarn, some snow, huckleberry and heather. A nice place to pitch a tent. About 5500'. From here, turn left (west) onto the eastern ridge of Mt Forgotten. A lot of flowers at the lower half, and rocky upper half. If a large group, it's better to wear helmet here. Not difficult, but still possible to kick down rocks.

The very top is very jaggard. Not too much place to sit. You can scramble more to the next crag. Some short stubby hemlock here with purple cones. Had lunch, waiting for the clouds to lift.

After half an hour, we gave up, and going down. Started seeing the big group coming up, lead by DK. When we got back to Forgotten Meadow, saw a tent. Still too foggy.

By the time we were back in the Perry Creek Valley, finally some blue sky. No mosquito issue today.

Back home before 6pm.

2025.7.17. Sea You At the Waterfront

7/17, Thursday. Seattle Aquarium hosts a booth at Pier 62 for Sea You At The Waterfront, quite a few days this summer. I stopped by this Thursday to check out what is it about. 2-3 (very) young employees, showing anyone who's interested to pop in. 2 bottles with different mesh in the water to fetch sample. Squeeze a few drop of that water on a plate to view plankton at a nice compact microscope. Saw many chains of diatons. One jelly fish like little bubble, who moves around. All displayed on the flat screen monitor, which is nice and easy to see, but too dim to show up on my photo. One unexpected obstacle is wind, which blows the water away from the focus area.

This same evening, Glazier's had an open house for the Analog Week. This lady proudly showed up her collection of miniature cameras. One (top left) can take 4 sequential shots. I was surprised to see a large turn out: so many people are still taking film photos.

2025.7.15. "Mandela in Seattle" exhibit at MOHAI

7/15 Thursday, 6-9pm, in conjunction with the new Mandela exhibition, This event not only allows attendees to view the exhibition for free, but more notably are the 2 speakers of tonight. This one was instrumental in bringing Mandela to Seattle. He had some anecdotes of how they raised $15M each from McCall and Gates.

The exhibition has quite many artifacts of Mandela and footages and newspapers of the time. I also briefly walked by some other exhibits on the 2nd floor, and found this photo amusing.