Did this loop clockwise with a one night stop at Moose Lake. Note that you need an Olympic National Park backcountry permit in order to camp anywhere on this trail.
The last Grand Valley trip report covers most of the important tricky bits on the trail so I will focus on the wildlife and flower sightings!
For birds, saw three separate Sooty Grouse families with chicks, two along Obstruction Point road and one on the trail. Other birds included the usual alpine forest inhabitants plus a few surprises. Grand, Moose, and Gladys lakes all supported populations of Yellow Warblers, Townsend's Warblers, and Warbling Vireos. In addition, there was a family of Spotted Sandpiper at Grand Lake, including three fledglings! We also saw adult and fledgling Chipping Sparrows in the meadow between Grand and Moose Lake. Vaux's Swifts were skimming Moose Lake in the morning and we saw one American Dipper fishing high in the creek by Gladys Lake. Hermit Thrushes and Olive-sided Flycatchers were both plentiful.
The three lakes are crawling with deer, and we also saw a couple of massive Olympic Marmots, chipmunks, and a Snowshoe Hare!
As for wildflowers, I think this was the most diverse trail for plant life in the northwest that I've ever visited! I couldn't begin to name all the varieties of wildflowers currently in bloom. And walking the loop gives you the opportunity to go through some different habitat types including wildflower meadows, woods, and lots of creek crossings. Some of my favorites were the massive fields of Columbia/tiger lilies, huge drifts of red columbine, gorgeous subalpine spirea, and some really cool water-loving plants like horned butterwort (a carnivorous plant and also really pretty to look at), shooting-star, and white bog orchid.
There were lots of butterflies out too. I believe my photo is of a snowberry checkerspot.
Lastly, the biting bugs are out in force so be ready to take precautions however you choose to do so, and still come out itchy in the end.
Enjoy!
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