American Lake, American Ridge — Saturday, Aug. 25, 2012

Mount Rainier Area > Chinook Pass - Hwy 410

I did this hike 2 years ago as a day hike and love it, so i decided to bring the wife and dog this time and stay overnight. Started hiking at about 11:00, chinook pass was crowded! the upper parking lot was full and had to park by the pedestrian bridge on the side of 410. the first part of the trail was crowded due to alot of people doing the naches loop trail, but once be started to descend to dewey lake the crowd got less and less. wildflowers were everwhere (sorry don't know the names)! seemed i was little late for the huckleberries but did manage to find a few. after passing dewey lake the trail is pretty flat, a few up and downs but nothing serious. got to american lake early afternoon setup camp and took and little swim. enjoyed a summer star-filled night and left after breakfast.