Naches Peak Loop

We drove up to Chinook Pass in Mt Rainier National Park to hike the Naches Peak Loop Trail, about 3.5 miles with 600 ft of elevation gain. It was very quiet on this misty morning we only saw 4 other hikers on the trail. It was very foggy when we started at Tipsoo Lake.

We went clockwise on the loop, leaving Mt Rainier National Park and joining the Pacific Crest Trail for about a mile, this section of the trail is mostly in the William O Douglas Wilderness.

There are some interesting rocks along the way.

We had limited views this morning, with the clouds moving around we had a brief view of a nearby peak.

There were lots of pasqueflower seed heads.

A mountain tarn on the the north side of the loop, the water is much lower that previous summers.

 

We enjoyed the rocky cliffs along the trail, and

were happy to find puddles after our long dry summer.

Mountain tarn on the south side of the loop.

We had a bit more visibility when we returned to Tipsoo Lake on our return to the trailhead.

reflection in the pond near Tipsoo Lake

some of the wildflowers and fall color seen along the trail today:

  

  

 

Chaparrosa Peak and Indian Loop Trail

We went to the Pioneertown Mountains Preserve and hiked the Indian Loop Trail and up to Chaparrosa Peak, 7.5 miles with an overall gain of 1,200 ft.

We started at the trailhead located at the overflow parking area. Sawtooth Mtns in the distance to the left.

There were lots of wildflowers in bloom along this trail and many boulders.

The purple phacelia (above) and purple Canterbury bells were predominant today.

Another view of the Sawtooth Mtns

bright orange Dudlea against the rocks 

 Lots of interesting rock formations

 lovely hike amidst the flowers and boulders

We enjoyed this hike 

nolina 

 Lots of rocks

a balancing rock

The side trail leading up to Chaparrosa peak which is hidden from view by another peak here 

more beautiful boulders and rock formations 

lots of pumice on this section of the trail 

Our first view of Mt San Jacinto in the far distance 

view from the top of Chaparrosa Peak with Mt San Jacinto in the distance

Geological Survey marker on Chaparrosa peak

Panos from Chaparrosa Peak: 

field of bright yellow wildflowers with Mt San Jacinto in the distance 

 

hiking down the other side of the  Indian loop trail

 Black Lava Butte in the distance

looking up the other side of Chaparrosa peak 

 Trail heading down to Pipes Canyon

The hillsides were colored purple from the plentiful wildflowers  

 A stream in Pipes Canyon created an oasis of green, giving us delightful shade

Olsen ruins 

 California poppies and other wildflowers along the trail

rock art 

 The trailhead on the far end of the Indian Loop Trail, now that we are almost done, we are warned about mountain lions and rattlesnakes.

Joshua Tree

 two of the many lizards we saw along the trail today

some of the many wildflowers and other flora we saw on the trail today: