Silver Lakes, Mount Townsend — Saturday, Jul. 7, 2001

Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal

Magnificent weather for our long haul up to Silver Lake. There is alot of exposed area so don't forget the sunscreen for this one! The views are exceptional and at one point we even felt that we saw Mt. Hood! The wildflowers now are glorious, the trail is thickly lined with lupine and valerian. Nodding heads of tiger lily's and columbine seemed themselves to be responding to intoxicating aromas around them. Of particular note was the changing colors of the paintbrush. The soft salmon color at the lower elevation changed to redder hues as we climbed higher. At the lake area the paintbrush was the beautiful magenta color that you only see at sub alpine areas. Marsh marigolds were thick around the lake. We met several backpackers coming out of the Lake trail on Sunday but spent the night with only one family that night, so this area is best visited during the week if it's solitude you seek. Would recommend a short but steep hike up to the saddle at the south end of the lake for some fantastic views down into the Quilicene valley, up over Mt. Constance, Marmot Pass and beyond, much beyond. There is no water up to the turn off to the Lake, and only one water stop into the lake, so carry two water bottles for comfort and safety. The road to the trail head is clear and in good condition, however it is not well marked if marked at all. Where the trail sign says eleven miles to the trail head that is true, but a sign and a left hand road points to Mt. Townsend trail that is really the lower trail, if you take this turn you will hike a few only to end up at the road end of the true trail head. So continue for the full eleven miles and take the next left turn that is marked as a dead end service road. This is a strenuous but short backpack, very good for training but not if you are wearing a new pair of boots!