Truly stunning walk. The views, the subalpine meadows, and the well maintained trail are all very good reasons it's so popular.
Durable surface (rock, gravel, snow, established dirt) campsites up top are extremely limited. Highly recommend camping lower like at Camp Windy, or doing this as a day hike. More on that below. We were camped on snow at Camp Windy, and our kid LOVED it.
Phlox, paintbrush, and the like are blooming. Rhododendron blooms are just getting started along the trail, but many along the road up are peaking.
The trail is nearly snow free, just some lingering patches near Camp Windy. At the switchback, the lingering snow hides the turn. A few sunrise seekers stumbled through camp in the middle of the night. Totally would make the same wrong turn. In this case, on the way up, the trail veers right. Camp is left.
Other than a fallen tree to duck under, and a seriously braided trail network in some places up top, what a fine trail. My son (8) had no problems. It was his first backpacking trip of the year. The trail is graded really nicely without many big slab steps. Recipe for a great kid hike.
We pitched our tent and ate dinner at Camp Windy, and then hiked the rest of the way up for sunset. For sunrise, I headed up yet again for few more trail miles, and a hazy but beautiful view. Even through the haze, Baker, Glacier Peak, Rainier, Adams, and even a hint of St. Helens were visible. We camped on snow but there are several sites that have melted out too. Lake still has some ice on it, but plenty of water.
Another word about campsites up top - from what we saw, there aren't very many established / low impact options up there at all. Snow is mostly gone. Maybe a few patches of what could be construed as already established dirt, but not enough to accommodate the crowds of campers. It does not look easy to LNT camp up there. Earlier in the season on snow, perhaps it's more doable. Saturday night we saw over a half dozen groups camped directly on the meadow plants. I get the temptation. It's work to get up there, and having to turn around is not fun. Especially when you see other people already camping on it.
This weekend was probably approaching peak use. We've got to give those meadows a chance. We get to choose not to live in these harsh environments, but these plants and creatures need our kindness and respect when visiting their homes.
More sustainable choices might include camping lower at Camp Windy, or doing this as a dayhike. Even as a sunrise or sunset hike. We talked to several groups doing just that. Awesome.
On our way out Sunday, cars were parked way down the road at every spot wide enough to fit a car. I guess our midafternoon arrival Saturday got us a spot in the upper lot, but this weekend there was clearly far more use than the lot could accommodate. Lower trailhead might be an option to help ensure access for emergencies. Plus, it goes through old growth forest, which is cool.
It had been a bit since I'd been up that trail, and I might relegate this one to that rare weekday opportunity, but I will want to hike it again.
And only one mosquito bite! Either they aren't out in full force yet (likely) or I'm losing my allure.
Comments
Washington Trails Association on Mount Townsend
thanks so much for sharing this report and beautiful photos!
Posted by:
Washington Trails Association on Jun 13, 2025 03:25 PM