Tahoma Creek Suspension Bridge - Emerald Ridge Loop, Lake George, South Puyallup Trail, South Puyallup to Klapatche, St. Andrews Park - St. Andrews Lake, Westside Road & Denman Falls — Sunday, Jul. 9, 2023

This was my first solo backpacking trip - just 3 days 2 nights but it was a great start!

7/9: Picked up my camping permit from the Longmire Wilderness Information Center and got some last minute advises from the helpful rangers. Got to Westside Road and hit the road around 8:40 am with my 38 pounds pack. (I packed way too much water!) Went up to South Puyallup River Trail. But first, I paid my respects to those falling Marines. A nice walk in the forest with no blowdown. Only complain was I was using AllTrails which marked the river campsite 0.5 mile before the actual site. Very cool Andesite formations by South Puyallup (pic 1). No one at the campground. I setup my tent in Site 1. Put away the heavy bear canister. I felt much better and hiked to Tahoma Creek Suspension Bridge via the Emerald Ridge. Some very beautiful landscape and plenty wildflowers along the way. Many mosquitos that I have to put on a head net. Met a female ranger who said she would check the permit that I hang on my tent. The Suspension Bridge was so exciting! I always want to see this bridge in person! Met several backpackers doing the whole Wonderland Trail.

7/10: Didn’t slept well because of the river noise and I forgot to pack a pillow. Got up early and hiked the Wonderland Trail to St. Andrews Lake where I had lunch. Lots of wildflowers (beargrasses, avalanche lilies, different kinds of paintbrushes) along the way! There were several blowdowns that were easy to go over. There was one big blowdown and I had to crawl under. I went to St. Andrews Creek trail and saw three volunteers doing trail works. This trail was very well maintained with tall trees. Saw more volunteers coming up. I later saw their vehicles parking by Westside Road. I spent sometime checking out Denman Falls before heading to Lake George campsite. No one by the lake when I got there. Again, I picked #1 site. Setup my tent and had dinner in the shelter with lake view. I walked to the lake and saw this guy with an unleashed dog came out. The dog barked and ran towards me. I was ready to defend myself until that guy called the dog to stop. He explained the dog was probably surprise to people. I told him I was surprised to see a dog (which is not allowed inside the National Park)! The lake was nice and fog moving in fast. I didn’t think I could see a nice sunset up by the Gobblers Knob Fire Lookout.

7/11: Got up by 4 am. Still foggy. No sunrise hike to the Lookout either. Did a round of Tai Chi and packed up and left Lake George.

Overall, I felt great with this backpacking trip. I learnt more about my backpack the hard way! I still need to pack light and smart! Great to hike a tiny section of the Wonderland Trail and met these WT hikers!

In 3 days, I hiked 25.6 miles with the pack and 8 miles without the pack. Close to 8000 feet elevation gain.