Esmerelda Basin

 We drove out to the Teanaway to hike the Esmeralda Basin Trail up to the Lake Ann overlook. This is an 8 mile round trip hike with 2,234 ft of gain. We saw lots of wildflowers in bloom.

 There was lots of water in the North Fork of the Teanaway River

 bright yellow asters in bloom along the trail

















The meadows were filled with shooting stars, Esmeralda Peaks in the background

 Lots of streams went across the trail, these were easy to cross and most were lined with shooting stars

 View of Esmeralda Peaks from further up the trail

Trail opens up as it gains in elevation.

 Cascading creek with lots of shooting stars on the banks.

 squirrel

 About 3 miles from the trailhead, we took the trail on the right up towards Lake Ann. This is a steep trail. There were some glacier lilies still in bloom.


















In the far distance, above the clouds, we could see the top of Mt Rainier









Wide angle view from the ridge above Lake Ann looking northwards. Lake Ann below Ingalls Peak

 North west, we saw Mt Daniles, Hinman and Hawkins Peak in the distance.

 Views of Esmeralda Basin as we hike back down the trail.









some of the many wildflowers we saw in bloom along the trail today:

  

        

    

   

 

     

Bean Creek Basin and Saddle

 WE drove out to the Teanaway to hike to Bean Creek Basin (4.8 miles round trip with 1,800 ft of gain) we decided to continue up the boot track to the saddle below Bean Peak for a total of 5.8 miles round trip with 2,700 ft of gain.
The trailhead starts at the Beverly Turnpike Trail on a bridge over Beverly Creek.

 About 1/2 mile up the trail, we turned right onto the Bean Creek Trail which follows Bean Creek up to Bean Creak Basin and camp.

 lots of wildflowers in bloom, here Larkspur

 The trail crosses Bean Creek a couple of times, but the crossings were easy.

 Balsalmroot is still in bloom along with gilia and larkspur



















a small waterfall on Bean Creek

 along the upper portions of Bean Creek were lots of shooting stars in bloom, here mixed in with some buttercups

 Bean Creek Basin was filled with shooting stars! Bean Peak in the background. From here, we took a boot path up to the saddle on the right side of Bean Peak

 We went through a small burn area (Earl Peak in the back)

















This half mile boot track is steep, gaining 900 ft over loose dirt and rock.

View near the top of the saddle looking back, Bean Creek Basin below, Mt Adams and the Goat Rocks in the far distance

Pano to the north from the saddle: Bean Peak, Mts:Stuart, Colchuck, Dragontail, and Little Annapurna in the Enchantments.

 Pano to the south from Earl Peak to Bean Peak

 some of the many wildflowers we saw in bloom along the trail today: