6/15 Sunday. Went to Teanaway area for spring flowers. Very pleased to see quite a few endemic species. Especially Snow Douglasia, which was beginning to bloom, and the abundance of Scarlet Gilia and shooting stars.
We timed this outing to shooting stars, because we loved our last trip here.
It's a 2+ hour drive. The last mile is rough, but brings you to elevation ~3600'.
The trail starts along the east slope of Bean Creek. Quite lush first half mile with many flowering plants.
As the trail goes higher, even though not far from the creek, but above creek, it was getting drier and drier.
Gilia, arnica was abundant in the next mile.
As the trail cross Bean Creek, we found the first batch of shooting stars.
A few butterflies gathered right at the path crossing the creek.
Here is a trail junction.
I headed towards Earl Peak first, which has a well-established trail (even though on Gaia and Caltopo, it's marked as dot-dot).
In fact, the dot-dot part is just a normal trail, easy to follow.
Not noon yet, this western slope still had shade.
As I went higher, started to see many Anemone in prestine condition, even a couple of glacier lilies on baldy parts of the slope.
Some Pine Voilet in flowers.
At the saddle (many trees, plenty shade), you can see a peak looming to the north.
It's a false summit.
The trail continues down to Standup Creek, where you can connect to Stafford Creek (and ultimately to Navaho Pass).
Now heading to the false summit, starting to see a lot of Snow Douglasia, buckwheat, phlox, tuft saxifrage.
View opens to the south, could see Rainier, all the way to Adams.
View to the west is closer: Stuart stands tall.
Can see the green Bean Creek Basin, Bean Peak, ...
From there, there's more to the real summit, then down to the saddle. Dusty and crumbly. Seemly baren slope is dotted with flowers. Even thought it's a proper trail, some dexterity is needed.
Finally, at ~7000', the view is excellent. Found a couple sitting here enjoying the view.
They came here from Standup Creek, east of my route, more elevation gain.
They are the first people I met since I left the junction.
On my way down, met a backpacker couple, who plan to go camping below Navaho Pass.
Last, went to Bean Creek basin for lunch. The shooting stars are as good as I remembered.
Swaves of pink. Just lovely.
For the reference of plant species along this hike, check WA Native Plant Society's list for Earl Peak summit area and Bean Creek. I learned a couple of new plants: Shasta Fern, Wenatchee Mountain Lomatium* and Oreocarya Thompsonii*. Saw quite a few of them. (* is endemic to Wenatchee mountains.)
