Trip Reports
You — and other hikers from across the Northwest — have posted 44,439 Trip Reports to date. Search Trip Reports to find out where others are hiking and learn about current trail conditions.
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Central Cascades -- Stevens Pass - West
Fall foliage
Snow on trail
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I wanted to go back to Hope and Mig Lakes because I remembered them as being very picturesque from 1...
I wanted to go back to Hope and Mig Lakes because I remembered them as being very picturesque from 1987. I also remembered the trail as being an easy walk through the woods. The trail is not that bad but harder than I remember.
Anyway the trail leaves a bend in the road. There is parking for a half dozen cars. The trail climbs through forest, clearcut, forest, clearcut, and back to forest in the first third of a mile. This is followed by a pleasant walk in the forest for another quarter of a mile. Then the trail turns up towards Hope Lake and gains most of the trips elevation in the last mile. While it is steep, I didn't find it that bad, just different than I remembered. Total elevation to the lake is about 1200 feet. At Hope Lake I had a choice of going to Mig Lake or doing something new and going to Trap Lake via the PCT. The trail had muddy spots and patches of snow from the previous week. The PCT gains elevation gently to a pass about 1.2 miles and 5200 feet. Today there was snow in the pass, which was a surprise, but not cause for stopping. After the pass the trail drops to a nice meadow that is a good break place. From the meadow the trail loses and gains elevation on a delightful walk. There are views east and south along this part of the trail. In about 2.5 miles you start to climb to a pass again, and this is a great place to find a rock and enjoy the view of Trap Lake. There is also a trail down to the lake if you want. Great weather day with a hint of winter in the air. physics hiker |
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North Cascades -- Mountain Loop Highway
Wildflowers blooming
Blowdowns, Bugs
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I needed a bit of exercise so I drove up the Mountain Loop Highway to do Heather Lake in the morning...
I needed a bit of exercise so I drove up the Mountain Loop Highway to do Heather Lake in the morning. I was awake early and at the trailhead and hiking at 8am. The lower part of the trail is in good shape except for the normal roots. The last half mile to the lake has snow patches, but they are melting fast. (This was a big improvement over when I did this on 6/1 and the trail was completely snow covered and the lake was still partially frozen over.) The flowers are out and I saw marsh marigolds, bunchberry, thimbleberry, foamflower, and more.
Since the snow was mostly gone I was able to start to walk around the lake. Slightly less than halfway going clockwise there has been an avalanche shortly after the boardwalk and the fallen trees completely bury the trail. It may be possible to find a route through the trees, but I was not that ambitious. The mosquitoes are out in force. |
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