2026.8.1. Summerland - Panhandle Gap

8/1, Saturday. This year, no more timed entry reservation at Mount Rainier. For fear of long line at the gate, we left home before 7am. Thanks to the unfavorable (40% precipitation) weather forecast, there was no line at the gate. There was a sign at the turn to the Sunrise Road, warning parking lot full. Luckily, got a parking spot right at the TH lot. It was drizzling as we laced up our boots. The car next to ours, the driver had his seatback down, sleeping.

Summerland trail starts in the forest. The light rain was mostly blocked by the trees. The asters near the Panhandle River is always nice. Passed prime now, as this year had been very dry. By then, the rain had stopped. Low clouds, limited view.

Continued past Summerland towards Panhandle Gap. Still very foggy. Monkeyflowers are still abundant. Some gentium. Lupine all dead. Saw only 1 marmot.

At Panhandle Gap, a group of Chinese backpackers were taking photos of each other. Very happy and loud. Too cloudy. Couldn't see Adams.

From the gap, I headed up right (west) towards an unnamed peak. There is a clear boot track which I followed to its end. Then rocks. After some scramble, I gave up. Good view looking down to the gap. Too bad: so cloudy.

Back the same way, and waited a bit more for the clouds to lift. No luck. Back to Summerland and out. It was less cloudy than on our way up, but still too cloudy. Never saw Rainier. Beautiful non the less. Temperature was perfect for hiking.

We were very luckly. The following week, the road to Sunrise was closed due to fire.

2026.7.25-26 Cady Ridge - Meander Meadow

A new trail for me, not a new area. Based on recent reports on 40+ blowdowns on Little Wenatchee trail, we opted to do Cady Ridge in and out, instead of Cady Ridge - Meaander Meadow loop. There were bear sighting. So I brought my bear can.

7/25, Saturday. Cloudy. Chances of rain 20%.

It's a longer than expected drive due to a road closure (Rainy Creek Rd/NF-67) and a detour. First, when we turned off Lake Wenatchee Hwy onto Little Wenatchee River rd (FSR65), Google Map insisted that the road was closed, and no alternative available. Then, istead of the paved 3 miles, had to go on the rough Devils Club Road towards Poe Mountain TH. Then drop down to the last ~3 miles of rough Little Wenatchee River Road (NF-65). So very slow 6 miles. At one point, a tree branch got stuck under the car. We had to crawl under the car to dislodge it. In the meantime, probably lost a pair of sunglasses. This detour seems be here for at least a year.

This TH is at the end of the road, shared by 3 trails. A few SUVs parked. A couple of minutes onto trail, saw an NFS guy working on a pile of down trees, another one carrying a jerry can walking out. Scramble over their working area, dropping down to a substantial bridge. Then it's in trees. Zigzag, steadily gaining elevation. Not many down trees. About an hour into the trail without seeing anyone else, a rock flew down and hit the trail in front us, made a loud noise. It turns out a group of 4 campers were one zigzag above us. They were coming down. A lady in the group kicked off the rock to clear her path. That's one irresponsible thing to do. It could very much hit my head if I were just 1 minute earlier. After that, no incident. Just very dry and dusty trail. At some point, there were burnt trees.

~2 hours from TH, reached a flat campsite. No water though. Soon after, ~4 some miles in, there's a large clearing on the ridge: fire breaker. I really liked it here. Good view on both sides. Grassy, flat. Here's the photo taken on our way out when visibility was better.

Now, less elevation gain, mostly following the ridge, some ups and downs (5200'-5400'), in and out of trees. ~2 miles later, we entered a large flowering meadow/slope. Lovely here. Cool breeze, still quite some corn lily, bistort, heathers. I would like to come again on a better flower year.

6.5 miles from TH, PCT. Right before the junction is another campsite (water is not far).

We turned south on PCT for 0.4 miles to Lake Sally Ann for the night. This lake is very much used. Many established campsite and use trails. No one else around, so we could pick any site. My bad idea of pitching the tent out in the open on the dirt. Good view, but it was somewhat windy, and dust coated the tent inside out. I stashed a can of beer in the only snow patch on the north shore. Without the sun, but has wind, it got quite chilly.

Spent the rest of the day fishing. Tried at different spots around the lake, got no bite. The wind is blowing northward. All the fishes were pushed to the north. As soon as we moved to the north, a big fish took the bite. However, it's too big. In the struggle, the fishing reel broke off. No more fishing. Retrieve the beer, back to camp. Because I brought too many sandwiches, we didn't even cook dinner.

A guy arrived, then 2 ladies doing PCT section hike. They didn't like how erode the lake shore is. The night was chilly, lots of condensation on the tent.

7/26, Sunday. The morning sun was blocked by a thick layer of clouds. We took a day pack, headed out at 6:50am. The other campers were already gone.

Heading on PCT north to Dishpan Gap. Saw a guy packing up his tent (no water on site). Clouds were slowly burning off. As the day wore on, more distant mountains came in view. Many years ago, I came to Dishpan Gap from the north on PCT (camped at White Pass with Zack and Ashley).

Today, we turned off PCT at Dishpan Gap onto Little Wanatchee River trail east. The trail goes along a flowering slope. Saw baby grouse without mother. After awhile, and went down to Meander Meadow. There, on the western slope of this lovely valley, saw a big black bear, slowly moving about. At the bottom of the meadow, saw 2 tents, and a few mosquitoes. We continued on to the trail looping back on Meander Meadown Trail on the south slope. This slope is not as pretty. Yes, heather and some gentium.

Back on to PCT, I decided to go up to Kodak Peak. Went up there last time. PCT practically goes around it. The trek up to Kodak Peak is fairly easy. The very top is a flat tent site with some trees blocking the view to the west. By now, the sky has cleared out. Outstanding view.

Back at tent, my partner was taking a nap. We packed up. Took some extra effort to wipe the tent from the reddish dust. A couple arrived, looking around the lake, and they took off onto Cady Ridge trail. We left ~1pm. I filled my water bottle at a little creek near the trail junction, before turning off onto Cady Ridge trail.

Going back on Cady Ridge trail over the flowering slope. It is pretty. However, with the sun shining and we were gaining elevation, I didn't enjoy it as much as yesterday.

~7 miles from the lake to TH. Saw a couple at the first campsite where I took the photo earlier with my backpack. Later, saw 2 runners (I don't know why people like to run on dusty trails) going up, and then coming down in less than an hour. They couldn't have reached very far to warrent any view. When we arrived at the parking lot, only 2 cars left. The big mess at the turn of the trail was cleared up. Thanks to the 2 NFS employees.

~3 hours drive home, didn't find the lost sunglasses. Near the delapidated house with a large solar panel, saw a black bear running across the road.

Overall, this is a very enjoyable trip: no crowd, almost no bugs, millions of flowers, sweeping views, 2 bears. I'll definitely come back, maybe camp for 2 nights.

2026.7.18. Mount Townsend with WNPS

7/18 Saturday. One of WNPS's 50th anniversity hikes. Mount Townsend is my favorite day hike on the east Olympics. I rode my bike to Green Lake for the meetup at 6am. Locked it in the bike lock. 2 cars leave from here. Met the 3rd car at the waiting line of Edmond's 7:10am Ferry. The last car of 3 very young ladies waited for us at Hood Canal Ranger District Quilcene Station, which is closed (no restroom open). We consolidated into 3 cars, drove to Mount Townsend's upper trailhead. Mostly paved.

As usual with a flower hike, we are moving very slow. Surprisingly this time, the slowest are the 3 girls, and because they are fresh graduates in ecology major, and were taking copious notes scrutinizing the plants. Candy Stick is not new to me, but I never paid any attention to it. It's actually quite pretty. Heather family. I thought they were the same as coralroot. Was I wrong! It feeds on matsutake! I didn't see any mushroom though.

We entered the wilderness boundary. Still very foggy, and remains foggy for the entire day. An hour later, Robin (from Alaska, now a nurse living in Duval, very knowledgable) joined us. When we took the lunch break at Camp Windy, a boy tagged on to the 3 young ladies. He knows nothing.

Once we broke out of the forest, the flowering slope looks very nice. Too foggy for view. Interesting ones are Mountain Death Camas (looks like very large death camas), Nodding Onion.

The summit had no view today. We waited around for a long time, got cold. At this broad summit area, saw 2 clusters of Olympic Bellflower. The endemic species are Flett's Fleabane, Verinica Dissecta (velvet leaves), already past flowering (May). Saw a lot of Mountain Owl Clover (similar to paintbrush), A few clumps of moss campion (an Arctic species).

On our way down, for a brief moment, we could see a bit of view. Alas, the clouds rolled in again.

At the parking lot, Robin had to walk further to her car (parked in the lower TH). We were very lucky with the ferry, didn't wait for more than 15 minutes.

2026.7.11-13. Grand Valley - Lillian Ridge loop

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.

2026.6.13. Tronsen Ridge with WNPS

6/12, Friday. We are to meet the WNPS group at the P&R by Hwy2+Hwy97 at 8am on Saturday. So we drove out Friday after work. Found a place to camp on Hwy97 (I couldn't find the location we camped last time). After setting up the tent, walked around, checked out the Old Stamp Mill nearby. There's also a historical marker with description and photos of the long disappeared mining town, right here.

6/13, Saturday. The sun-baked Big Y P&R is rather large. Total 12 people. All more knowledgable about plants than I am. We piled into 3 Subarus. Drove the 3.8 mile Five Mile Rd to the north trail head of Tronsen Ridge. Quite some roses at the parking area.

This year, flowers are disappointing, due to a very dry spring. Still we saw lots of phacilia, some last few balsomroot. Quite a number of tweedies. There are Olympic Larkspurs here too. Collomia with little white flower. Northern Buckwheat with tall flower stalk. The last few flowering bitterroot (but with lovely bright color). Many mariposa lilies.
Alpine Twinpod is a funny one. Where we stopped for lunch has a large population of Prairie Smoke.

The ridge itself is scenic, dry. The best view is to the west: Enchantment Lakes area. Today, with clear hot weather, we saw Adams, Rainier and Baker. One guy in the group was a hunter. He's been to many places with or without trails. Another guy carried a saw, and cut away some branches for easier passage. There are quite a number of blowdowns. According to Ted, who came here during the study weekend, the south trailhead had so many more down trees, that he moved today's hike.

Overall, this is an easy outing, good view, and learned a lot. We drove back on I-90, spent another night at Snoqualmie Pass. Stayed high, anticipating a hot day on Sunday.