Snowgrass Flat — Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025

Decided to do an overnight at Snowgrass Flat to kick off Labor Day weekend. I'd read that campsites were plentiful enough that a spot could be found even on a crowded holiday weekend, and this turned out to be both overly optimistic but ultimately true. I got a late start out of Seattle so it was midafternoon by the time I started up the trail, so definitely bad planning on my part. There are three or four sketchy spots with slanted surfaces just off the main trail, and then a maze of side trails to campsites up near the junction with Lily Basin Trail, but all of them were occupied. I searched both Lily Basin and Snowgrass Flat for a site for some time, but ultimately someone recommended that I just set up where her group had their camp chairs, right at the junction. It was definitely an established site but also super exposed to everyone hiking either trail. Still, it was almost dark so I took her recommendation. As I was setting up I overheard one of the camp chair people wishing for some cheese, so I offered her some of mine. She was very appreciative, and her friend said "the trail provides" and we all had a good laugh. Now, as it happened, I had borrowed a tent for this trip. It's the Big Agnes Copper Spur, which is super light and which doubtless many readers are familiar with, but I had only partially set it up once. I was figuring it out, but it was slow going and getting dark, so ultimately my cheese friend asked how it was going and I asked if I was doing it right. She took a look and said yes, so far so good, but then gave me so many helpful hints that I feel like she basically set it up for me. She said it was in return for the cheese, but I definitely got the better end of that barter. The trail provides, indeed.

It had been forecast for a mostly sunny day, but the orestfay irefay okesmay (don't say the words!) had moved in that afternoon from Rainier, and it was quite hazed over. I had been hoping for some epic Adams views but was thwarted that night. However, it cleared up during the night, and I woke up briefly to brilliant stars. In the morning I got my Adams views as well as just an overall beautiful morning. This is the advantage of staying overnight!

One thing I love about this trail is the comfortable hiking surface. It is dirt, needles, or soft sand nearly the entire way. Very easy on feet of a certain age.

The flowers, which are the big draw of Snowgrass Flat, are definitely past peak. The purple asters are waning but still nice, and the paintbrush is still going strong. The blue gentian, a flower I just learned a few weeks ago at Snow Lake, is everywhere and appears to be just about at peak... such an intense blue! And of course, the Cascade blueberries are about at peak ripeness and flavor. Along with some straggling lupine and a weird blue fruit that is not a blueberry, the late season seems to be ruled by blues and purples. There were a few blueberry bushes that were already starting to turn red, though. I am not ready for summer to be over!

The Forest Service road into the trailhead is long and dusty but pretty well-maintained. I feel like pretty much any car could handle the surface, especially in summer driving conditions.