For yet another trip up Townsend, the plan was to hike up with Faisel, Big Robin, and the very Mark, and to meet up with Cathy and Kojiiman at the top. To avoid the Independence Day throngs, we chose to go Thursday-Friday. The drive on Penny Creek Rd. to 27 to 190 (1 mile past 2760) was uneventful, except for a crossing doe, a juvenile deer, and a white-spotted fawn. The upper lot had places to spare. The hike on #839 through firs and rhododendron (some pink in bloom) is still uphill, but we were entertained by another group of deer and the dizzying thoughts of hermit thrushes as we passed from forest to subalpine environs. The trail opens up near the falls, and the rocks are decorated with purple and white phlox, while meadows are filled with lupine, paintbrush, cow parsnip, tiger lily, and columbine. As others have reported, the big surprise was little or no snow. In the Windy Lakes basin, where there were huge banks of snow this time last year, no snow was to be seen. On the switchbacks above the Snowy Lakes Trail junction the story was the same, but of course, in that stretch eyes are drawn out to Hood Canal, Puget Sound, Rainier, Baker, and improving views of Snow Lake Basin. We topped off on the south side of the ridge, set up near the two remaining snow patches in the vicinity, and ate lunch. After that, we took a spin on the ridge, where anemones, pussy toes, and phacelia joined the phlox, and the views were panoramic. In the late afternoon, Faisel, Big Robin and I traipsed down into pretty Snow Lakes basin. We returned after the heat of the day had eclipsed and the angle of light began casting shadows. It was well into cocktail hour when Cathy and Kojiiman waved down to us from Townsend's south peak, and the party began shortly thereafter. We toasted Cathy's birthday to the Silver Creek, Copper Creek, and Dungeness canyons; to Constance, Warrior, the Ridge of Gargoyles, Baldy, the Graywolf crest, the Needles and more. A few mosquitoes and biting flies toasted with us. The sun set as a deep maroon band, and the three-quarters moon, stars, and city lights took stage. We celebrated till late. Following coffee and breakfast, the pleasant trip down was punctuated by numerous ascending hikers, and dogs of all shapes. The parking lot was overflowing, and beer all-around helped us appreciate the uniqueness of our rendezvous on top. The weekend was looking to be pretty crowded on the mountain.

We went up to Mount Townsend two weeks ago and missed the great views because of the fog, so we were determined to get up to the top again on a clear day. Yesterday couldn't have been better. This time we decided on hiking from the north trailhead, beginning on the Little Quilcene Trail. I knew we were in for a fabulous day because Mount Rainier was visible from the parking lot. The rough logging road is now blocked just beyond the parking area, but there is plenty of room to turn around. There were five other cars there already when we arrived at 10a.m. The trail is steep the first .9 of a mile (but through dense forest, so that kept it cool), and then continues for another mile, up and down until you reach the junction with the Mount Townsend trail. Then comes the truly spectacular part of the hike: the gradual emergence into the open slopes up Mount Townsend. Grand views all the way up of Olympic peaks--too many to count. We looked directly across at the Tubal Cain trail wending its way through green meadow towards Buckhorn, and reminded ourselves that we haven't been there in a while. We visited both the south and north summits, and ate our lunch at the north one and enjoyed the views back to the Olympics where we had come up and now added to that was the 3 volcano view east (it was too hazy beyond Rainier to see Adams and St. Helen's, which we have seen in the past). What a glorious spot! On our return down we turned left at the junction with the Little Quilcene Trail in order to ramble a bit on Dirty Face Ridge. It was fun wandering on the ridge for about a quarter of a mile, up and down, getting slightly different views than you get from Townsend. We turned around when the trail began to descend.

Left Trailhead on FS2870 at 1PM, after parking at the Tubal Cain trailhead. The trail guide and the sign at the trailhead warned that this trail is steep (35% to 40% grade). They were not kidding, but the trail is in great condition. Rhodys are in full bloom!! Got to the Mt Townsend trail junction at 2:30 PM, just in time to see the clouds come in over the peak. Mt Townsend trail is in good condition. Weather was ok. minimal wind, and 50 degrees, but no views due to clouds. Small snow fields melting out on east side of ridge. This trail was in great shape also. Arrived at Silver Lake trail at 5:00 PM, after spend ing some time exploring the north and south summits. Silver Lake trail has several blow downs that people have created by-passes around. The first one is located .1 mile below the ridge, on the west side. I counted 10 blowdowns between the ridge and the lake. Other wise the trail is in good shape. Spent the night at Silver Lake with about 6 other tents. Barking dogs were a nusance. Also, there is no water on this route until you are .8 miles from Silver Lake. Next day dawned bright and clear. Using my GPS and an abandoned trail I had heard of, I made my way back to FS2870, about a mile from the Little Quilcene trail head. I would not recommend the route I took to get down, as the trail tread is poor, and I lost count after 40 blowdowns. I did notice what might be a new trail that is flagged, just down hill from where I came out to FS2870, so maybe the access to Silver Lake will improve in the future. Over all, a great hike. Just wish the clouds had not come in while I was on the summit. Oh well that will give me a reason to go back!

No snow!! This is my first hike this year where there was no snow on the trail. We hiked to Mt. Townsend from the Little Quilcene Trail #835. There were two other cars at the trailhead. Rhodies are in bloom at the trailhead but have a couple of weeks to go further up the ridge. While there were a number of blowdowns this year, someone has done a fabulous job of clearing it away. The trail was in excellent shape all the way to the top. Unfortunately, while the weather report said "mostly sunny", it was cloudy the whole day so we never got to see the vistas. Wildflowers are just coming out, especially the phlox. I plan on coming back in a couple of weeks weather permitting.

No snow!! This is my first hike this year where there was no snow on the trail. We hiked to Mt. Townsend from the Little Quilcene Trail #835. There were two other cars at the trailhead. Rhodies are in bloom at the trailhead but have a couple of weeks to go further up the ridge. While there were a number of blowdowns this year, someone has done a fabulous job of clearing it away. The trail was in excellent shape all the way to the top. Unfortunately, while the weather report said "mostly sunny", it was cloudy the whole day so we never got to see the vistas. Wildflowers are just coming out, especially the phlox. I plan on coming back in a couple of weeks weather permitting.