Grand Valley to Gladys Basin

Fabulous day hiking from the end of Obstruction Point Road in the north Olympic Mountains (this road starts at the east end of the Hurricane Ridge parking lot). This is the view from the parking lot! These would be only 2 of the many, many deer that were out along the trail today.

We decided to hike down to Grand Valley from Lilian Ridge and then up to Moose Lake, Gladys Lake and part way up Gladys Basin. We hiked 11 miles round trip with 2,000 ft of elevation loss/gain.

Wide angle shot from along Lilian Ridge looking out over to Mt Olympus.

There were a few snow fields to cross along Lilian Ridge.

Lots of wildflowers in bloom to enjoy along with the views.

We hiked 1.7 miles to reach the high point along this trail

 Pano along Lilian Ridge: to the left, we will drop down into Grand Valley

Here the trail descends 1,600 ft over 2.8 miles to the junction at Grand Lake below

The trail goes through open slopes, forest and meadows full of wildflowers.

Elephant head and other water loving plants were near the streams and snow melt.

lots of lovely views all  along the way

Grand Lake
We opted to not go down to Grand Lake, but continue along the trail up along the Grand Pass Trail

Moose lake from near the outlet. Moose Lake is about 0.3 mile from the Grand Lake trail junction.

Continuing along the trail beside Moose Lake

















View from our lunch spot on Moose Lake:

We saw deer in many of the meadows

There were a couple of stream crossings on the way to Gladys Lake, about 1/2 mile from Moose Lake

We took our time as the wildflowers and views were fabulous!

















There were a couple of small snow fields to cross going up the trail

I passed Gladys Lake at first, before being called back to enjoy the views from the far side.

Spectacular view from the far side of Gladys Lake!!!

another view from a bit further going out over the snow, this is the deep section of Gladys Lake

We returned to the main trail, continuing for less than a mile along the Grand Pass Trail (I had time constraints today)
The trail continues up along side Grand Creek

wide angle shot from along the trail near one of the small tarns

many wildflowers in bloom in Gladys Basin














We continued up along this trail to the bottom of the smaller "peaks"

View looking back down Grand Valley from our stopping point

View behind us from our stopping point. I want to return and hike up to Grand Peak!

Small tarn near where we turned around

Enjoyed the views all along the return hike:
Coming back down to Moose Lake

group of deer at Moose Lake

Clouds rolling in as we hiked back up towards Lilian Ridge

I would see most of the deer in the afternoon

I watched this deer come down over the snow fields and along the trail. He/she kindly stepped aside to let me pass.

Clouds obscuring the views down into Grand Valley

Thrilled to see the clouds had not obstructed our views of the northern Olympics for our return hike along Lilian Ridge!

Some of the many wildflowers we saw in bloom along the trails: