The trail was surprisingly peaceful for a Friday. We arrived around 3:30 PM, and while the parking lot was quite full, most people seemed to be headed to the popular Naches Peak Loop.
Three bathrooms were out of commission, we noticed as we walked by. Also, the entire drive to the trailhead was on paved road — any car can make it.
Our route was an out-and-back to Sheep Lake, Sourdough Gap, and Upper Crystal Lake — and it did not disappoint.
Trail Conditions:
The trail is in excellent condition, and the wildflowers were at peak bloom — with the most variety and abundance I’ve ever seen on a hike. Truly stunning from start to finish.
Sheep Lake:
We passed quite a few campers around Sheep Lake. There were some bugs, but nothing unbearable — definitely manageable with repellent or long sleeves.
Sourdough Gap:
The real magic began on the ascent to Sourdough Gap — an absolutely breathtaking stretch of trail. Panoramic views open up here, and it feels like stepping into another world. It was breezy up top, which made for perfect conditions on a warm day. We heard other hikers mention spotting marmots, though we didn’t see any ourselves.
Upper Crystal Lake:
As we descended toward Upper Crystal Lake, the temperature noticeably spiked — it felt like a heat pocket. The bugs were much more intense here, especially mosquitoes, but it didn’t stop us from taking a refreshing quick swim in the lake.
Comments