Three Lakes via Laughingwater Creek

Drove to Mt Rainier NP to do a quiet forest walk and choose the Three Lakes via Laughingwater Creek Trail along Hwy 123 in the southeast corner of the park. I drove across Hwy 410 on my way, and stopped at a pull out for this gorgeous view of the early morning sun on Mt Rainier.

The parking for this trail and the short way to Silver Falls is a small pull out on the west side of Hwy 123. The trailhead is on the east side of the road.
This is a forested hike to 3 lakes, one which is outside of the park boundary. If you keep going past the lakes, the trail will connect with the PCT.
I hiked about 12.8 miles round trip with an overall elevation gain of 2,800'.
One trail runner past me on the hike to the lakes, and I did not see another person the entire hike. Nice quiet day.

Beautiful forest with a lovely trail.

About 1/2 to the lakes, I could see this pond through the trees.

 There is lots of Oregon grape, salal, huckleberries and vine maples along the trail, in a few weeks the fall colors should be beautiful.

 frog with great camouflage















Some of the bridges over the creeks were not as in good of condition as others were.

There were lots of fungi out along the trail, and a few wildflower as well

About 1/2 mile before the first lake, the trail goes through this lovely meadow.

Another bridge in need of repair.

the first lake along the trail

Patrol cabin between the first two lakes

The second lake

the trail leaves the park boundaries before the third lake

small pond before the third lake













Wide angle view of the third lake, this is about 0.3 mile after the patrol cabin.

The sun came out while I was hiking back and lit up the moss, so pretty!
















some of the flora seen along the trail today: