Naches Peak Loop Trail

We drove up to Chinook Pass to see the wildflowers and hike the Naches Peak Loop Trail. This is about 3.5 miles with less than 1,000 ft of gain.   About half of this trail, including Tipsoo Lake is in Mt Rainier NP and the other half is along a small part of the PCT, going through the William O Douglas Wilderness. We started from the parking area heading around Tipsoo Lake. Here there is a small pond before reaching Tipsoo Lake.

Lots of wildflowers in bloom in the meadow surrounding Tipsoo Lake

 Yakima Peak seems to tower over Mt Rainier from the far side of Tipsoo Lake

 We saw a great variety of wildflowers in bloom. From Tipsoo Lake, the Naches Peak Loop Trail heads east over to the east side of Chinook Pass, going up below Yakima Peak

 A bridge goes over hwy 410 on the PCT, view looking back towards hay 410

 The east side of the loop had the most abundant wildflowers

 a delight to the eyes

 There was so much lupine in bloom, its fragrance scented the air.
















Wide angle photo of the tarn on the east side of Naches Peak (the top over Yakima Peak over Naches Peak)

 Abundant wildflowers all along this side of the loop, view looking back at the tarn on the east side.

 definitely a trail to saunter along

 nature's rock garden

 view overlooking Dewey Lake

Shortly after passing Dewey Lake, the trail reenters Mt Rainier NP

 Mt Rainier, Naches Peak  and the very top of Yakima Peak near the tarn on the west side of the loop












There are several sections of the trail on this side with views of Mt Rainier

 Wildflowers are also in bloom along this side of the loop

 before crossing the highway to Tipsoo Lake, we headed towards Upper Tipsoo Lake, Naches Peak behind

 Mt Rainier and Upper Tipsoo Lake from the far side of the lake

 another view of Rainier and Upper Tipsoo Lake













Penstemon and arnica along the roadside by Tipsoo Lake

 Instead of walking back along the highway to the parking area, we returned alongside Tipsoo Lake











Gorgeous time to enjoy the wildflowers at Tipsoo Lake and the Naches Peak Loop Trail
















some more wildflowers we saw along the trail today: