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.
