Hiked up to Mount Defiance on a stunning hot day.
Arrived at TH at 7:15 and the lot was nearly full - by the time I started hiking the lot was full. There were many overnighters at the lake so likely some cars there all weekend.
Bugs were fine until the lake and up through the trees. Definitely a lot at the lake and beyond, but weren't too bothersome as long as you kept moving. Once out of the trees and on the summit there was enough wind to keep them down.
Wildflowers are stunning the entire trail, and salmon berries will be ripe here in a week or two at the bottom of the trail.
Trail is in really good shape, and the summit is truly amazing, especially on a clear day. Could see Adams, Rainier, Baker, and Glacier, along with the Olympics and Seattle. Pretty crowded at the lake, but beyond the lake there were only a couple groups I ran into, and only 4-5 people at the summit.
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