Mesatchee Creek, American Ridge & Dewey Lake — Saturday, Aug. 20, 2011

Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410

I did the loop up Mesatchee Creek to American Ridge then down 2000 to Dewey Lakes. The loop is mostly snow free, unlike 2 weeks ago. This is a challenging day hike but you can do it in about 9 hours. I was with Java - the only living entity that will do these hikes with me. There are lots of flowers out. The mosquitos are bad coming down the Dewey Lake trail. You have to cross on creek (out of the Dewey Lakes) that does not have logs (or at least none that I found). I take off my boots and put them in the pack when I cross. Dewey Lakes Trail is in poor shape between the lake and the creek crossing. It does not get much use. I still count this as one of my best hikes.