Dewey Lake, Naches Peak Loop — Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020

We arrived to an empty parking area at Tipsoo Lake at 9:35. The pit toilets were open, clean and well stocked. The skies were filled with high thin clouds and blue patches were breaking through.  The temperature was a warm 46 degrees after the 20 degree temperatures over the weekend.  We hiked the Naches Peak Loop in a clockwise direction.  The trail in the shade is snow covered with thick slippery ice in places.  Mircospikes were in order for the first part of the day.  This was the least crowded I have ever seen this trail. Our group saw only 6 other hikers on the trail for the entire day.  Heading around Naches Peak the trail started to melt out and frost heaves made several places uneven footing.  On the PCT gazing down at Dewey Lakes we made a spur of the moment decision to head on down to the two lakes.  Upper sections of the trail were snow free, but once you descended into the trees there were several more super slick spots.  We took the left spur once in the lakes basin and found the beach on the North end of the lake. This was our lunch/rest break spot at 11:55.  It was so peaceful and the water was flat as glass.  It actually felt warm when the sun would break through.  We were thoroughly delighted to have such great conditions for a late fall hike with snow dusting the surrounding peaks.   The only wildlife sighting of the day was the mob of 7 camp robbers Jays that quickly noticed us.  You could tell they were used to being feed by humans.  We also saw a lone pika building it’s midden beneath a boulder.  We packed up and headed back up to the Naches Loop at 12:30.  Mt. Rainier and Mt. Adams were out in all their glory at several view spots as we completed the Loop back down to Tipsoo Lake.  Climbing up from Dewey Lakes we all shed layers and it felt warm in the sun.  The trail again was very icy in the last 1/2 mile down to the road. When we arrived back at our vehicles just after 2:00 it was 58 degrees.  Another fabulous day to be out enjoying nature.