Three of us traveled to the backside of Mt. Townsend. This is the trail head at Bon Jon Pass and is marked Little Quilcene, #835. Hike this section for a couple of miles until the intersection with Mt. Townsend, #839. Although we hike Mt. Townsend almost every summer, we hadn't approached it from this side in years. The road to the trail head is in good shape; drive with a keen eye as we saw several deer close to the road. The first 2 miles on Little Quilcene and another half mile or so on the Mt. Townsend trail are in the woods with many nice sun breaks. There are flowers here but the rhodies are finished. Once you break out into the open for good you will see plenty of flowers that should last at least a couple of weeks. We picked a nice rock at treeline overlooking the southwest valley and mountains to stop for lunch. We then finished the hike to the top where visibility was fantastic. We saw Sequim, Pt. Angeles, the Strait, Vancouver Island, Mt. Baker, Mt. Rainier, and the mountains to the southwest (Marmot Pass, etc.). It was a stunning view. Luckily, we left early enough in the morning that we could stay on top for a while and soak in the beauty. The trail is in good shape. There has been a lot of work done recently and the evidence of tough storms and trail clearing is apparent. I believe we had to hop over two blowdowns. There is only a trickle of water in the first mile and no water after that. There are a few small patches of snow at the top that won't last long and the trail will turn to dust soon. We were not bothered by bugs.

Went up Mount Townsend trail yesterday and it was more than worth the effort. After reading a trail report on wta.org about hiking in the evening, we waited until about 3 to start our ascent. We went slowly since it was our first hike of the season with any elevation gain. There are parts that are steep and grueling, but then you get into the wildflowers and it is wonderful! The rhodies are done blooming, but the wildflowers higher up are in full force. We did pass a lot of other hikers, but they were all on their way down. By the time we got to the southern summit at almost 6pm, there was just one couple up there. They left soon after and we had the place to ourselves for a bit. Go soon, while the wildflowers are still doing their thing!

Great hike to spectacular views of Puget Sound, Mountains, and especially the flower rock-gardens! I have never made this hike before and decided to go after reading several previous WTA reports - thanks! It took me 3 hours to get from my SE Seattle home to the trailhead - using the Edmonds/Kingston ferry. Not sure how much longer I'll be able to afford the gas and ferry tolls. The hike to the top from the upper lot is about 4 miles and it took me about 4 hours round trip No snow, 2 step-over and one climb over blowdown, wide trail -dusty the last mile, and the bugs were subdued by the strong breeze! Flowers everywhere for the last 2 miles. I'm not a flower person, however, I was really impressed with flower fields, meadows, and rock gardens! Views are 360 from the top including Puget Sound with Seattle in the distance, and mountains -from the nearby Olympics, to Baker, Glacer, Rainier, Adams, and even to a hazy St Helens! Great exercise and spectacular scenery.

Solitude or views? We caught the 7 am ferry from Edmonds. Long drive in to trail head on FS 27 - very grateful for the asphalted road!! Starting in forest, we hiked steeply up passing a few lingering rhododendron blossoms, then open slopes to junction on first 3miles of Mt. Townsend trail. Flowers were spectacular-lupines, sweetvetch boldy painted in larger drifts of magenta across slopes with contrasting splashes of golden tiger lily, bright spots of paintbrush, cheerful yellows of arnica, more and more varieties with each switchback. At junction, we turned left and continued on Silver Lake Trail( #842). After gaining another couple of hundred feet views opened up into Puget Sound looking back east , then the big snowcone of Mt. Baker appeared in the distance above the flower clad slopes. Rounding a corner the trail comes to a seeming abrupt end with spectacular views down the Silver Creek Valley and out west. Now the dilemma: did we really want to loose the precious elevation we gained and drop down into the hole, 600 feet , only to have to climb up towards Silver Lake? With a lingering look at the view, we headed down the very narrow trail. The first two switchbacks down are in definite need of some trail work--a mere 12 inch wide tread, some sloping outward clinging to a very steep slope that dropped off below a band of rock. Not a good place for a slip!!! A blowdown blocked the trail at end of first switchback neccessitating an awkward but doable climb up the slope around it. This would be challenging with a heavy overnight pack. After that the going was fine and the flowers nearing their absolute peek bloom. All too soon we were back down in the forest, crossing the waters of Silver Creek for which the dog was thankful. Then it was uphill another half mile thru more flowers and climbing over a few more blowdowns. We passed 3 parties of backpackers coming out who reported Saturday night was very crowded at the lakes. Silver Lake is set in a picturesque basin. Spent a glorious hour lounging at the lake, photographing huge frogs and clambering up the ridge above. Nice breeze and no mosquitos. Had the lake all to ourselves most of that time. The return climb to regain those 600 feet wasn't so bad even in the heat of late afternoon, enough flowers and nicely spaced pockets of shade from occasional trees to recover. Upon reaching the junction with Mt Townsend trail, it was impossible to head downhill, so stashing our gear we ""dashed "" up for a quick visit to the top. Glorious views from Mt. Baker north and Mt. Rainier south. Back to the junction in an hour and then the other members of the party, fueled up by the views and looking forward to cookies waiting in the car decided to run the 3 miles back to trailhead. My apologies to the 20 or so hikers that stepped aside for the thundering herd, with me hiking along as quick as my tired legs would carry me trying to keep up. For solitude , Silver Lake was great this day--only three other people at the lake while we were there. If like us, you decide you want it all, plan for a long day--14+ miles and 4000' of elevation gain .

Coby and Jacquie joined Bill and me for a hike up Mt. Townsend. This was the first hike we took Coby on when he was a teenager around 13 years ago. It was Jacquie's first time on this trail. THE WILDFLOWERS ARE GORGEOUS in the upper meadows both before and after Camp Windy right now! We had a few biting flies at the summit even though we used bug spray. They were not as bad as 2 weeks ago. The trail is snow free now. There is one fairly large blowdown in the first 1/4 mile but it is passable. The views from the summit were magnificent...Mt. Rainier to Baker on one side and other Olympic peaks and up to Victoria on the other. We enjoyed a leisurely lunch at the top then headed back down. It was a great hike and really nice day together! Jane Habegger