We took the Ross Lake water taxi to lightning creek camp and stayed overnight there in order to get an early start and beat the heat up to desolation peak. Our second night was spent at desolation camp.
We did not find any snow lingering to melt at desolation camp, but I found the spring thats just about 2 miles from the desolation boat dock junction and 1 and half-ish miles from camp to be flowing very well - cold, tasty and easy to fill bags with - we got our water here. The spring is in the only very shady part of the trail and deep woods. I'd recommend about 4 liters (or 5 to be on the safer side) each person hauled up to camp. While you'll feel pretty weighed down once you fill up, the good news is views start shortly after that the views open up and only get better, a nice distraction.
The lower part of the woods is sparser and offers a lot less shade, but more flowers. I was surprised to see a few lingering balsamroot blooms! Up higher above the treeline there was plenty of paintbrush and phlox.
After dropping our tents and things at desolation camp we continued to the top of the peak, which is another mile. Jim has opened the lookout to visitors for the season (he arrived only hours before we did) and we got to be the first to sign the log, which was pretty fun. We stayed for sunset. I expected to have to use a headlamp but the moon was so bright I hardly needed it.
The hike out the next day was super easy by Cascades standards, the trail is in excellent shape the grade is ever overly steep.
Happy Trails!
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