Today we drove up to Chinook Pass to hike a short section of the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail). We hiked to Sheep Lake, Sourdough Gap, and then took a cut off trail down towards Upper Crystal Lake. This hike was 7 miles rt with about 1,200 ft of total elevation gain. There were still plenty of wildflowers and blueberries.
From the parking lot on the east side of Chinook Pass, go north on the PCT. The trail starts out fairly flat and follows above Hwy 410.
The morning started with clouds mostly to the west. It was fun to watch the clouds roll off Naches Peak.
There were wildflowers in bloom and we could see meadows below Hwy 410.
This section of the trail continues for a mile. We enjoyed the wildflowers and the wild blueberries.
The trail then enters the woods, with a few small meadows, gaining about 400 ft in elevation on its way to Sheep Lake about 1.5 miles from the trailhead.
We took a short break at Sheep Lake, enjoying the view and watching the fish jump. The dip in the ridge line behind the lake is Sourdough Gap.
The trail then climbs 630 ft towards Sourdough Gap in a series of switchbacks, through wildflower meadows, over rock screes, and past interesting rock formations.
I like the small "window" in the rock lodged between these two massive formations.
Looking back down toward Sheep Lake as we neared Sourdough Gap.
Far to the south we could see the very top of Mt Adams peeking out of the clouds,
and between some peaks to the west, the top of Mt Rainier.
Standing in Sourdough Gap.
We did a short scramble in the rocks to the west of the gap, but the views were no better than what could be seen from the Gap.
Panorama from Sourdough Gap looking north:
We continued on the PCT to the north for about 1/4 of a mile to a trail to the left which leads to Crystal Lakes with Mt Rainier National Park.
We descended a short ways along this trail,
enjoying the wildflowers along the hillside,
and the views of Mt Rainier emerging behind Crystal Peak. We took a boot track to an overlook above Upper Crystal Lake.
We sat and enjoyed the views and the gorgeous day as we ate our lunch.
After a nice interlude, we returned to the PCT and hiked back toward Chinook Pass.
On the way back to Sourdough Gap, I noticed a dead tree that looked like a large, strange creature scrambling above the rocks.
Some of the wildflowers and plants we saw on the trail today:
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