We had the trifecta of highlights on this morning's rainy Mason Lake trip: touches of fall colors just beginning; the tail end of wildflower season (Beargrass stalks are finished but there's still fireweed, Indian paintbrush, pearly everlasting, and lupines); 7 bird species and multiple picas in the rock fields, and TONS of delicious thimble, blue, and huckleberries. My daughter and I spent an hour at the lake picking berries while waiting for the clouds to break, but alas, we were pretty much in them most of the day.
The other noteworthy items about the trip were: 1) the rain kept the crowds away (there were 10 cars at the parking lot when we arrived on a Tuesday at 8:30 a.m.) and dust at bay. There were only 13 cars when we returned just before 2 with a liter bottle full of huckleberries. And 2) NO traffic delay from rock blasting like my last visit to Exit 45 to do Talapus/Olallie. YAY!!
Outhouse is getting low on TP but is bug-free, and the pit toilet at Mason Lake is in great shape. We didn't see anyone swimming (too cold for us) but we saw one family going up with fishing gear and several backpackers coming out to beat the next round of rain. An enjoyable outing despite the fog and rain - I got to test out my Frogg Toggs (waterproof but HOT with activity). My daughter wore my down jacket on the way down, while I kept my fleece jacket on for most of the descent. Hard to believe, but it feels like autumn is just around the corner. The trail is in amazing condition, with just a few puddles from recent storms.
Comments