Dewey Lake, Naches Peak Loop — Thursday, Jul. 17, 2025

My hiking group hiked Naches Loop / Dewey Lakes today. We pulled into the Tipsoo Lake parking area just before 9:30, the lot was 3/4 full.  The bathrooms were open, with supplies but very smelly.  It was 61 degrees with hazy, sunny skies.  Our route made a clockwise loop of Naches Peak Loop with trip down to Dewey Lakes.  Trail traffic was busy the entire time we were on the trail mostly day hikers going both directions on the Naches Loop.  The entire trail is dry and dusty with a couple muddy spots from the last melting snow higher up. Going around the north end of Dewey Lake there were a couple downed trees to step over over or go around. The wildflower display has begun with flowers blooming the entire route. We saw valerian, anenome, spirea, cinquefoil, Cusick Speedwell, lupine, paint brush, heather, partridge foot, lousewort,  bear grass, aster, arnica, blue bells, mountain ash and more. We had no major wildlife sightings - there were a couple chipmunks, swallows and water ouzels down at Dewey Lake and fresh elk tracks on the small sandy beach at the north end of the lake.  After reading recent trip reports we were prepared for the mosquito onslaught and took the suggestion of wading out in the lake to eat our lunch rather than be eaten alive sitting close to shore.   Bug spray was applied before starting out and reapplied as needed, a couple in our group were glad they had their bug head nets.  We did not linger too long and retraced our steps back up the PCT to finish the Naches Loop.  Hikers were just starting out when we walked back to our vehicles at 2:30.  Another amazing day out in nature with friends.