Mount Townsend

Today we hiked up to Mount Townsend on the #839 Trail. We also hiked across Townsend on the boot track overt to the rocky outcroppings and down to the Little Quilcene Trail and back across Townsend. Overall, we hiked 9 miles with 3,200 ft of gain. The first part of the trail is in the woods and the rhododendrons are starting to bloom.

The trail then goes in and out of open areas, where we found alpine wildflowers blooming, lots of chocolate lilies along with strawberries, paintbrush and violets.

View of a waterfall from one of the open switchbacks.

Looking to the east, in the far distance, we could see Glacier Peak beyond Hood Canal and Puget Sound.

chipmunk on the trail

On the last set of switchbacks, we could see Mt Baker, Mt Shuksan and Glacier Peak to the northeast.

Nearing the saddle of Mount Townsend, to the southeast, we could see Mt Rainier, Mt Adams and Mt St Helens.

Wide angle view to the south looking over the saddle of Mount Townsend and other nearby Olympic Peaks.

Lots of phlox and cinqueflower in bloom 

Pano looking east from Canada to Mt St Helens, such a clear day!

Hiking across Townsend, looking back to the "peak" of Townsend 

exploring the rock outcroppings on the north side of Townsend

View to the north of Townsend: more Olympic peaks, Vancouver Island and the San Juan Islands across the Salish Sea.

lots of wildflowers in bloom on the west side of Townsend 

zoom of Mt Baker and Mt Shuksan

zoom of Glacier Peak

zoom of Mt Rainier

on the way back down, we stopped at Windy Lake at Windy Camp.

some of the wildflowers we saw along the trail today: