Forest Lake Huckleberry Creek Trail

 For my second new to me day hike from the Sunrise at Mt Rainier NP, I choose to hike down to Forest Lake along the Huckleberry Trail. From the parking area, this is a 5 mile round trip hike with an overall elevation gain of 1,750ft. I ended up hiking an additional 1/2 mile beyond Forest Lake and back, making my hike 6 miles round trip with an overall gain of 2,100 ft.

 To reach the trail, hike up to Sourdough Ridge and head left/west towards Frozen Lake, but not going that far.

 A sign marks the trail going off from the Sourdough Ridge Trail.

 The trail climbs a short distance before dropping off into Huckleberry Basin on the north side of Sourdough Ridge. View of Mt Rainier before turning around:

Pano to the north looking down into Huckleberry Basin. Forest Lake is behind and below McNeely Peak located in the center of the photo. In the far distance, I could see Mt Baker, Glacier Peak, Mt Stuart and other Cascade peaks.

 The trail steeply descends down Sourdough Ridge, I was glad I had my poles as the dry dirt was slippery.
The trail briefly goes through some trees and a slope covered in wildflowers.
The trail passes through a talus field where I saw one quick pica and heard several more.

 Stream crossing after descending from the talus field.

 The trail then steeply descends into the forest, here there were some open areas with paintbrush and other wildflowers.

As the trail followed the creek nearing the lake, there were many monkey flowerplants in bloom. McNeely Peak in the background.

 First view of Forest Lake, it was a lovely shade of green. Campsites are on the far side of the lake.











Wide angle view of Forest Lake from the camping area. Mount Fremont reflecting in the lake.

The Huckleberry Creek Trail continues for another 6 miles to the north park boundary and becomes Trails 1182 connecting to Forest Service Road 7300 in an additional mile.
I hiked about 1/2 mile further down the trail.
This was a heavily forested area, where I went around on downed tree and stepped over another.
There is some fungi here and I did startle an elk.

I continued until reaching this bridge.

I think there is a waterfall upstream from here, but it could not be seen from the trail and I did not want to hike cross country today.

 There were lots of huckleberry bushes, but I did not see any ripe huckleberries today.

 I returned back up the trail.
Taking time to enjoy the flowers as it was uphill hike back up to Sourdough Ridge.

 pasqueflower seed heads along the trail

Coiled-beak lousewort, with Mount Fremont in the background

 ground squirrel fattening up before winter returns to the mountains

 Found this marmot trying to nap on the trail back on Sourdough Ridge.












purple asters along the trail back down to Sunrise













more wildflowers and fungi seen along the trail today: