Naches Loop Trail

Drove out to Chinook Pass to do a shuttle hike on the PCT. Decided to first hike the Naches Peak Loop as the morning light was good and this trail was not yet busy. We also hiked a bit at the lake on the other side of Hwy 410 from Tipsoo Lake.

We had parked at the lot near the trailhead to Sheep Lake and walked along 410 to reach the trail where it crosses the highway on a bridge, starting on the PCT side of Naches Peak Trail.
Lots of wildflowers in bloom along the side of the highway.

The trail soon enters the William O Douglas Wilderness. Only a small portion of this trail is in the forest, most of the trail is open.

Lots of wildflowers in bloom on the hillsides,

and along the trail.

Looking up to Naches Peak

Looking back towards where we started and towards Sourdough Gap in the distance where we would hike later in the day.

Small tarn along the trail

We took our time enjoying the wildflowers in bloom

Looking down at Dewey Lake where the PCT continues to the south. We continued along the loop and entered Mt Rainier National Park.

View of Mt Rainier along the Naches Loop Trail

more fields of wildflowers

Going clockwise along the Naches Loop Trail gives the best views hiking towards Mt Rainier

The lake across the highway from Tipsoo Lake. I hiked in a creek to reach this spot near the lake, no tramping on wildflowers or crossing delicate meadows.

On the Naches Loop Trail heading to Tipsoo Lake, Yakima Peak on the left

meadows of wildflowers around Tipsoo Lake

Mt Rainier reflecting in Tipsoo Lake

There were lots of larkspur in bloom (one of my favorites)