I wanted to show my husband some of my Top 10 Favorite hikes. After Snowgrass-Goat Ridge paid off in spades last week, I was worried Summerland-Panhandle Gap would pale in comparison. Not to fear; it was as epically spectacular as I remembered. A first for me starting from the White River side, and I think a very enjoyable way to do the hike.

The trail to Summerland is in fantastic condition, no issues. Past Summerland partway into the talus field, there is snow over the trail. The first bit is kind of hinky as there are melt-out holes and the sound of water rushing beneath to the waterfall. Keeps you alert, that’s for sure. We did great with snow traction thingies on our boots, and others were ok with trekking poles. Even in snowy sections the trail is well defined by cairns and boot-tracks.
At least 95% of the trail is melted out except the last climb to the Gap. We stopped at the base of Panhandle Gap, and I dipped my toes in the lake there, just melting out. The wind coming off the snowfields was constant and gusting at about 20 mph and COLD – bring a jacket even on a nice day. We hiked 11.5 miles total, about 2,650’ gain, an incredible day!!!

The flowers are still great – lilies mostly gone but lupine, paintbrush, lousewort (white and pink), heather, arnica, aster, pasque, yarrow, false hellebore, and pussy toes at peak. We saw marmots, pika, lots of birds, chipmunks & squirrels. Though not deserted by any means on this sunny Monday, we had miles of this trail to ourselves. Pics of flowers, spectacular mountain views, and trail/snow condition at: http://www.flickr.com/[…]/

What a beautiful day to hiking with the Mountaineers on the Summerland Trail! The weather was perfect, the wildflowers were blooming, and there weren't any bugs.

We saw lots of beautiful wildflowers including lupine and columbine. Be sure to bring your camera!

Parking at the trailhead was full at 9:30am on a sunny August Saturday. We had to park 1/4 mile down the road. Try to get there earlier to get close parking.

  

Hot and muggy with thunderclouds (no rain though), also hazy with wildfire smoke. Flowers are at their peak around the Summerland camp. Lupine is beginning to go to seed in the lower meadows, tons of blooming flase hellebore. Trail in excellent condition.

See full report at
http://junaid-omar.blogspot.com/[…]/summerland-five-star-hike.html

Hiked with my 7yo daughter. The trail was beautiful and uneventfull till the meadows (around 2.5 miles into the hike). The meadow is full of blomming wildflowers and also with bugs. But nothing that some bug-spray couldn't handle. The trail is very good other than a scary bridge just before the switch backs start. Crossing the bridge was pretty hard to do with kids.

The sunny day provided spectacular views. We we went 0.5 miles beyond Summerland towards the panhandle glacier. But a ice-field with large crevasses made us turn back.

This is easily one of the best hikes around this area. My daughter was pretty tired at the end but promised herself to be back so that she could go all the way to panhandle.