Saturday, July 8, 2023

Buckhorn Pass via the Tubal Cain Trail

We drove out to the Tubal Cain Trailhead to hike up to Buckhorn Pass, 13 miles round trip (taking an alternate trail option part of the way) with 2.600 ft of gain. We only saw about 30 other hikers along the trail today, it was very peaceful. There were a great variety of wildflowers in bloom. Near the start of the trail we crossed Silver Creek on a log bridge. 
The first 3.5 miles are in the forest with about 1,000 ft of gain, we soon entered the Buckhorn Wilderness.
We saw some short weeping walls along the trail, and

crossed a few creeks.



Logs for crossing on Copper Creek

Upstream from the log crossing on Copper Creek

After crossing Copper Creek, the trail gains elevation via switchbacks in the forest and then breaks out into the open, where we had mountain views (Buckhorn Mountain in the background) and saw more wildflowers in bloom.



A nice variety of wildflowers on the slopes above (and below) the trail.
I was happy to see many Olympic bellflowers in bloom today.
There were also lots of harebells among other wildflowers.

As the trail continued we could see Marmot Pass to the right of Buckhorn Mountain.

The train continued up after the junction with the Buckhorn Lake Spur Trail, here we saw a large meadow below us.

Arriving at Buckhorn Pass 7 miles from the trailhead, view to the southeast.
View from Buckhorn Pass to the south
view to the southwest

view to the west of Buckhorn Pass

On our return hike, there is a trail option that lessens the return hike by 1 mile. Here there were lots of Larkspur on both side of the trail.

There continued to be mountain views until we reentered the forest. Looking back at Buckhorn Mountain and
Iron Peak.

some of the wildflowers we saw along the trail today:

  

 

 

  

 

 

    

   

 

     

  

 

     


 
   
  
 

  

   

 

  

  



 

  

  

 







 

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