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!

Hiked up to Mount Townsend today... the trail was in excellent condition - no blowdowns, almost no water, no snow - much better than when we hiked it in April. We hit the trail at 1:35 under mostly-cloudy skies. As we climbed, the sun occasionally broke through, but not often. As we continued to ascend, the sky above was just white, but those we ran into who were hiking down told us that the summit was bathed in sunlight. We hit the summit ridge at about 3:50, and hiked to the south summit briefly (too crowded), before moving off to the north summit (slightly lower) for snacks. It was sunny with blue skies to the north and west, and a wall of clouds over the townsend creek valley to the east and somewhat south. We lingered on the north summit for about 30 minutes before heading back down at about 4:45. We reached the trailhead at 6:30. All in all, a great hike on a great day for hiking. If anyone hiking on the afternoon or evening of July 1 (or later in the week), has found a hearing aid, please contact me (ryanthecubfan@yahoo.com), as my hiking companion lost one of his.

After being a little lost in finding the trailhead (proceed about 1 mile after ignoring the first sign to the left for trail, go left about a mile at the next left, which has no sign), we were surprised to be one of only two cars at the trailhead on a Sunday. The weather was cool, and as we approached Windy Camp, the clouds came in thick from the lowlands. The trail is in excellent shape with evidence of recent care. Good job!! Toward the top, we met the other party coming down, shapes emerging from the fog. At the top, it was difficult to tell which was the top, for not being able to see the other summit. No matter, poking in the clouds produced both... On the way down, many more people and many more cars at the trailhead.

Trail is snowfree except for one tiny patch near the summit. There are considerable snow patches around Camp Windy. Trail in superb condition. Flower display good, but not as spectacular as it often is around this time - perhaps a combination of dry winter and lack of late spring sunshine. Lots of rhodies in bloom along FS 27 on the way in, but the ones along the trail are just starting to show color. They should be out in a week or two. Fog never lifted at the summit today, and was accompanied from time to time with heavy mist or light drizzle.

It was much different than last month. I was able to drive to the upper trailhead. There is some snow on the trail in the Camp Windy area. In some places it was more like ice. I was happy to have my hiking poles with me but an ice ax was not needed. There was a cold north wind blowing when I first got up on top. The trail is in good shape. Not many people on such a beautiful day. I only saw 5 people all day. The road to the Little Quilcene trailhead on the north side of Mt. Townsend is also open.