Mount Townsend

Drove out by Quilcene to hike up to Mount Townsend from the upper trailhead of trail 839. I also did the loop on top for an overall hike of 9 miles with 2,900 ft of gain. With our heavy winter snow, the wildflowers are blooming a bit later this year. There were a few rhodedendrons in bloom near the beginning of the trail.

Less than 2 miles up the trail, the views begin to open up an a waterfall can be seen coming down the hillside.

The higher the trail climbs, views can be seen across Hood Canal and Puget Sound, in the far distance Glacier Peak is seen.

A few switchbacks later, I could see Mt Baker and Mt Shuksan to the northwest (zoom). Further up, I would get better and better views, including Mt Rainier, Mt Adams and Mt St Helens.

There was one persistent snow filed to cross near the top of the trail.

Pano from the top of Mount Townsend looking north, the trail continues to the other end and eventually connects with the Little Quilcene River Trail. 

Pano from the top of Mount Townsend looking south

zoom of Mt Rainier (the other peaks were too hazy to get a decent zoom photo)

some views walking along the trail to the north "summit" of Mount Townsend, here looking west

and to the north

From the north summit, I dropped down to the trail that makes a loop back to the south end of Mount Townsend, along the way I saw these teeny tiny cones on the trees near the south summit.

some of the wildflowers seen along the trail today: