Parked at the Windy Ridge Viewpoint in dense fog. We couldn't see across the parking lot. Rumor had it that there was a big mountain out there somewhere. We went to find it. Reader, we did!
The Truman Trail out into the Pumice Plain is both amazing (with the incredible transformation of the landscape into its present diversity of Douglas fir, noble fir, alder, willow, paintbrush, yarrow, mosses, and lupine, to name a few of the many species that have rebirthed on this landscape) but also depressing with the "temporary" road cutting across the landscape. Hard not to be troubled by the amount a change for a 20 foot wide road, bordered by low, small-mammal-unfriendly fences, and a bed of boulders and plastic. Still one of the truly astounding spots in the Cascades.
Be aware. This trail is accessible only on weekends due to the road construction. And, the toilets at the trailhead are closed. Nearest ones are at Cascade Peaks parking lot, about 3 miles back on Route 99.
Comments
DK1998 on Truman Trail - Pumice Plains
Interesting "solution" they came up with for being able to get heavy equipment over to the Spirit Lake drainage without permanently impacting the Pumice Plain.
Posted by:
DK1998 on Jul 30, 2024 08:43 PM
Nilloc29 on Truman Trail - Pumice Plains
There are bathrooms at the Smith Creek Viewpoint.
The plastic is under the road to make it easier to remove the rock after the road is no longer in use. Each fall the small bridges and the added rock in the washes will be removed to prevent it from being washed down stream.
Posted by:
Nilloc29 on Aug 04, 2024 10:50 PM