Naches Peak Loop, Dewey Lake — Wednesday, Sep. 5, 2001

Mount Rainier Area > SE - Cayuse Pass/Stevens Canyon

Two Days Near Chinook Pass ------------------------------------------------ My son Richard and I arrived at Chinook pass summit about noon on Wed. (9-5-01) . We were headed south on the Pacific Crest Trail to camp at Dewey Lakes. This was an easy pleasant backpack trip, except for the weather. Noon Wed. : drizzle, 20 MPH wind, 39 degrees, 2pm Wed. : snow showers, 10 MPH wind, 37 degrees, 7am Thur. : fog, 5 MPH wind, 33 degrees, visibility 100 yards, 11am Thur. : fog, 25 MPH wind, 40 degrees, visibility 50 yards, 1 pm Thur. : sunny, 10 MPH wind, 58 degrees [near Sheep lake]. We used all of our extra clothing to stay warm day & night. This was planned as a summer (') trip, oh well no bugs and no sunburn. We were too late for flowers, except Scottish Bluebells and Gentian, but found acres of huckleberries all along the trail and in the lake basin. There are many campsites around the 2 Dewey lakes. We picked one with a good view at the north end of the larger lake. It was too cold and foggy to have fun a 2nd day at Dewey lake and a pair of PCT thru hikers told us that it was just as cold and foggy 5 miles south near Cougar lake (our planned day hike for thursday) so we packed up and hiked out the other side of Naches peak back to the pass for another cold lunch. But our afternoon juant to Sheep Lake [PCT north of the pass] was rewarded with blinding sunshine after about 1/2 mile ! Off with the layers. 30 degree effective wind chill difference in 15 minutes. The fog and clouds pouring over Chinook pass from the west dissipated into east side blue skies and warmth. During the night I had to get up and was shocked by bright moonshine on the lake and only scattered clouds. Incredibly beautiful. The moons rays coming between the trees made white streaks like snow patches on the meadows. If I had brought my camera tripod I would have hauled it out and shot a roll of film. So pretty and so unexpected. Fog again in the morning. This is an outstanding route for admiring alpine lakes, Big Dewey and small Dewey, Tipso and little Tipso, an unnamed lakelet on the east side of Naches peak and finally Sheep lake. To quote Judd & Nelson in Pacific Northwest Hiking ""On a clear day a drive over Chinook Pass near Mt. Rainier is one of the most stunning mountain drives in the U.S."" And about the PCT Naches peak loop they say ""Wildflowers and alpine views all along the loop are sublime"". They give it 10, their highest rating for beauty. Total mileage: 12 in 2 days. Planned 20 in 3 days. Robert Michelson 9/5 & 9/6/01