Mount Townsend — Thursday, Jun. 22, 2006

Olympic Peninsula > Hood Canal

We took advantage of the great weather to do our first high elevation hike of the season. Mount Townsend melts off earlier than most peaks above 6000 feet and so it's a good choice right now. As the report a few days ago mentioned, there is only snow around Camp Windy. There were ten cars at the trailhead when we arrived at 10:30 on a Friday, so I can imagine it will be mobbed today and tomorrow. I'm also glad we did it before it heats up as the weather forecast predicts. The trail is in the bright open sunlight during its most strentuous sections. We opted for the north summit for our lunch as we noticed so many people at the south summit. We had the north summit to ourselves throughout most of our lunch--a couple of people arrived towards the end, but graciously situated themselves away from us on a lower rock. The views in all directions were gorgeous: Mt. Rainier, Mt. Baker, and Glacier Peak were all in sight; Seattle, Pt. Townsend, the Hood Canal, the islands and Kitsap Penninsula to the east; great snowy peaks endlessly to the west. It was a great hike!