Sheep Lake, Sourdough Gap and Crystal Lake Overlook

We drove up to Chinook Pass off of Hwy 410 to hike a short distance along the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) past Sheep Lake and Sourdough Gap, then take a short spur trail into Mt Rainier National Park to an overlook of Crystal Lake, overall 7 miles and 1,200 ft gain. It was a very quiet hike, we didn't see any other hikers until we were coming back down to Sheep Lake, most of them were PCT hikers from around the world.

When we started, the Chinook Pass area was mostly in the clouds.

We hadn't gone far, when the skies to the east turned sunny and blue! We were starting to see some fall colors.

The first 2 miles, up to Sheep Lake were a gentle gain, most of it above Highway 410.

There were plenty of ripe huckleberries along the trail.

Sheep Lake, looking to the northwest towards Sourdough Gap

Lots of pollywogs in the lake.

Chinook Peak reflecting in Sheep Lake from the other side of the lake.

After Sheep Lake, the trail climbs up to Sourdough Gap, some interesting rocky walls along the way.

Near the Gap, we could see the top of Mt Rainier peeking behind Chinook Peak.

zoom 

 

View from near Sourdough Gap looking down at Sheep Lake and a distant Mt Adams to the south.

zoom of Mt Adams and some Goat Rock Peaks, we watched the clouds move between the ridges.

Sourdough Gap looking northeast

Trail after the gap.

More fall colors and rocky walls

When the PCT takes the first switchback after the gap, we continued straight into Mt Rainier National Park, then took a spur trail off the trail going down to Upper Crystal Lake.

Continuing down, we found a great spot to view Mt Rainier, Crystal Peak and Upper Crystal Lake and take a snack break.

zoom of Mt Rainier

Another nearby peak

Back near the trailhead, we had good views of Naches Peak and Yakima Peak, much clearer skies than when we started our hike this morning.

One of several butterflies seen today

some of the wildflowers, berries and fungi seen along the trail:

  

 

 

 

 
 

Sheep Lake, Sourdough Gap and an overlook of Upper Crystal Lake

Drove up to Chinook Pass to hike along the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) up to Sheep Lake and Sourdough Gap, then took the spur trail into Mt Rainier National Park to the overlook of Upper Crystal Lake, this was about 7 miles round trip with an overall gain of 1,200 ft. On the drive up to Chinook Pass, stopped along the roadside to take this photo of Mt Rainier and Tipsoo Lake.

Fall Color along the PCT above Highway 410, for the first half of my hike I only saw 3 PCT through hikers, and had the Crystal Lake overlook to myself. Coming back, the trail was much busier.

This deer ran across the trail then stopped to watch me from behind some branches (zoom)

Looking back along the PCT towards Chinook Pass and Naches Peak on the left and Yakima Peak on the right.

Sourdough Gap up on the ridge behind Sheep Lake.

Chinook Peak reflecting in Sheep Lake

Fall color along the trail heading around the lake and up to Sourdough Gap.

Trail photo with some interesting rock formations up the hill.

Near Sourdough Gap, looking down on Sheep Lake, with a distant Mt Adams and Mt St Helens.

zoom of Mt Adams, Mt Snowy and the Knife Edge in the Goat Rocks

zoom of a distant Mt St Helens to the left of Yakima Peak

A snow capped Mt Rainier peeking out to the right of Chinook Peak as the trail nears Sourdough Gap

View of Cascade Peaks to the northwest as seen through Sourdough Gap

Looking back to the southeast through Sourdough Gap

Along the PCT, west of Sourdough Gap, the spur trail to Mt Rainier National Park  continues straight, where the PCT follows switchbacks down to the north.

View of Mt Rainier and Crystal Peak from the trail in Mt Rainier National Park

A rocky peak

From the overlook above Upper Crystal Lake, I took a break and enjoyed the solitude.

zoom of Mt Rainier

 Returning along the trail to Sourdough Gap,

there are some nice bright red huckleberry bushes.

The late morning sun brightened the fall colors along the trail heading back to Chinook Pass.

Naches Peak as seen form the PCT

The wildflowers are mostly down blooming, here are a few I saw along the trail with some fall color: