As previously reported this is a place to see unusual flowers, especially at the 6000 foot level, hidden and scattered among rocks. I'm still trying to identify some of them from my photos. Due to drifting fog and clouds not the best views on Sunday. A stubborn Grouse wouldn't let pass our car on FR 27 and had to be personally escorted off the road.

Okay, flower freaks, if there was ever a time to go to Mount Townsend, July 1 is it! The trail is in great shape, and the flowers on the back side are as good as they get. I would like to commend whatever garden club takes the time to cover those and acres and acres of rocks with so many different varieties of flower. They really do have a knack. We spent the night on top, at the North Summit. The sun set at 9:23 and a near full moon provided a glow all night after that. The morning came early, but the clouds that covered the Sound below did not interrupt the brightness on top. Take bug juice though -- mosquitos apparently don't get enough to eat up there.

The reason why we chose this trail was to hike above the marine layer cloud level. We entered via upper east trailhead (FS 2760). In general the trail is fairly evenly graded (albeit consistently steep) and well maintained. There are two very minor stream crossings early on which will probably be gone in a few weeks. We broke out of the clouds around 5200 ft just below Camp Windy and were presented with the most beautiful display of wild flowers we've ever seen. This continued up to the summit ridge at 6000 ft. Views were magnificent on the way up stretching from Baker to Rainier. Seattle was still shrouded by the clouds. We could even see the thunderheads in eastern WA. The view from the top is hard to beat. Surrounding Olympic peaks, wild flowers galore, Cascade range, perfect sunny weather... what more could you ask? The only downsides were that mosquitoes were out (though not too bad) and the Rhododendrons are pretty much past their bloom.

Beautiful day was forecast for this Friday and many folks had the same idea as me. I'd never seen this parking lot full to overflowing on a weekday before. I counted 20 cars in the lot and down the road when I headed up (kinda late in the morn) at 10:45am. Trail's in excellent shape, and essentially dry. Some rhodies putting on a bloomin' show along the lower mile or so of trail. Only two small snow patches remain on trail above Windy Camp. No blowdowns. Views from the top were great.

Trail is in great shape - views were to die for - road to upper trailhead potholed but can navigate them.