I left the trailhead at 9am in a brisk 45 degrees, hurrying up the trail in part to keep warm before exiting into bright sun. Fall is starting to close its hand around Summerland, despite the name. Flowers are nearly gone and the berry bushes are starting to change a telltale red. Surprisingly, despite the color change, actual berries are few and far between.

As I ate my lunch near the small waterfalls a group of playful marmots posed and hammed it up for me on some nearby rocks. I watched them for far too long and took too many photos, then continued up towards Panhandle gap. Along the way I spotted a large herd of goats relaxing on the snowy flanks beyond the green glacial ponds. They were too far off for decent photos so I continued on, hoping to spot some more.

At Panhandle gap the view was phenomenal! Clear blue skies let me see far down into the Goat Rocks, to Mt. Adams, and even Hood on the horizon. Below in the meadows another herd of goats wandered. I scrambled up the ridge towards Pt7218 to get some better shots, cliffing out about 50 ft from the top on its shoulder. I could have dropped back down and around the fin-like obstruction but decided to just head back down and see if the goats were still around.

And they were! They whole herd had dropped back down to this side of the ponds very close to the trail. I sat down on a large rock and watched them munching the small plants. They were less acclimated to people than other goats I'd encountered, such as in the Enchantments, and wouldn't get close to me. I shot again far too many photos, many of which didn't turn out. White goats against dark backdrop on a very sunny day is tricky. By now they were attracting a crowd of hikers so I decided I'd better head down. I made good time and reached the car at 4pm. Great midweek hike!

Photos at: http://www.pbase.com/billcat/summerland/

Summerland and almost Panhandle Gap 9-1-08

Happy Labor day! Got up at 5 AM. I was going to do Naches Loop today but last minute decided on Summerland and I¡¦m so glad I did! What a glorious hike! I¡¦ve only been to Summerland once last year Oct 29th I believe last day Sunrise was open and it dumped snow on me and views were few and far between. I knew this place was going to be magical with a view of mountain and in the summer. Well, fall is definitely here. When I got to trailhead at 6:30 AM it was 38 degrees and I busted out the gloves. I only saw 1 other person going up this early and one going down. Views were spectacular! Flowers are 90% gone which was fine by me because as the bugs are gone with them. I was surprised to see an actual solar toilet and not just a trail at Summerland, it was very clean just needs a light and would be perfect. I¡¦ll see what they can do¡Kƒº Talked to several campers and they said it snowed this weekend a little bit. I explored the area and headed towards Panhandle Gap next. Views kept getting better around each corner with something new to see, waterfalls, small glacier lakes with wonderful green color and reflections, pikas, marmots, flowers I have not seen before, blue sky, even a deer on the way down the trail. I could have not asked for anything else today. Add this one to your list if you have not done it. It makes for a great snowshoe trip as well.

Stats 10+ miles 7 hours 200+ pictures

The snow has completely melted out all the way to Summerland (what an apropos name) and has left flowers in its wake. Our group was blissed out in the meadows with all the sights and smells of wildflowers. And then there were the bears: a mama and her cub were above the trail, just past the crossing of Fryingpan Creek. The cub watched us, we watched them and mama did her grubbing.

There were people at the shelter and on the trail but the trail didn't seem crowded, even on the way out.