Marmot Pass - Upper Big Quilcene

Everything the guidebook promises, this trip has it all, and the wildflower meadows rival even Mt. Rainier's. Understandably then, people and dogs were swarming up here in droves on Saturday. The one-lane trail took some creative maneuvering for passing, and we were happy to be leaving the oncoming tide of humanity, if not the meadows.

Some half-dozen tents nearly filled the streamside sites of Camp Mystery Friday night, but it looked to be triple that number of overnighters coming in. Not only were there more campers than sites, but there are no toilets up here. We may soon be loving another special place to death.