Finally checking Palisades Lake trail off our list. We opted for an early start 7:15am (after a 3+ hour drive), and glad we did as the morning was cloud free with exception of the lenticular cap atop Mt. Rainier. (which are always cool).
A large bull elk jogged across the trail in front of us, we saw 3 mountain goats, a gang of 6 grouse, pika and could hear the occasional elk bugling. We headed straight to the junction of Upper Palisades Lake and Brown Peak and decided to climb up to Brown while it was cool out. Views were spectacular. We could see a pair in the distance heading up slide mountain but did not see anyone else until our return trip. We checked out the first 2 camp sites at Upper Palisades which were vacant (not sure how many there are). On to Dick lake, where the one site we saw was occupied.
The first person we saw was a solo hiker who reported seeing a bear and cub. Once traffic picked up it seems each person we encountered reported seeing the bear and or bear and cub. Next stop, Hidden Lake. It's a short by steep jaunt up to Hidden Lake, and well worth the side trip not only for the lake views but the huckleberries are especially plentiful along the trail.
After a leisurely rest at Hidden we headed down to more reports of folks seeing the bear near Clover Lake. The bear must not be shy as we heard these reports for hours, from the first guy we saw around 10am to around1:30p when a couple arrived at Clover Lake asking if we saw the bear. Just as we turned to head out the bear was spotted across the lake from where we stood with this newly arriving couple.
the end!
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