Goat Rocks Day 3- Heading home from Cispus Basin

I woke up my final morning in Cispus Basin after two stunning days. We got an early start due to the heat and came upon a few marmots to great us early on. We hiked about 7 miles on this day.

Back at Cispus Pass

Heading down I reflected on my gratitude for this time in the high mountains and with the many flowers.

I enjoyed delicate Mariposa Lilies on the way down.

These Lupine looked like a carpet or a stream of blue in the midst of yellows, green, and white.

The trusty PCT markers showed us we were still on the right track.

We passed Sheep Lake once again and climbed down the Nanny Ridge trail at a brisk pace to beat the heat. I was sorry we did not have another day to enjoy the Goat Rocks but very grateful for everyone's health and safety, and this opportunity to enjoy some BEAUTIFUL parts of this wilderness. I don't think the Goat Rocks has seen the end of me!

Goat Rocks Day 2- Finally reaching the Knife's Edge!

I woke up early to this view outside my tent. Today we were doing an out and back dayhike from Cispus Basin, through Snowgrass Flats, and up to the Knife's Edge. We ended us covering about 11.5 miles.

Filtering water in the early morning and enjoying the basin.

Wildflower wonder!

I hear the common name for these is "Mouse on a Stick"

Sun peaking up into the basin.

Good morning Cispus Basin!

We headed up the trail into popular Snowgrass Flats. This is the biggest cairn I have ever see that people add rocks to as they get to this point.

I had been wowed by wildflowers this whole trip but now I was really amazed at the Wildflower meadow. Whatever I may have missed at Dog Mountain earlier this spring this MORE than made up for it!

Mt. Rainier? with SO MANY wildflowers!!!

Snowgrass Flats.

We continued to climb above Snowgrass Flats and crossed a few snowfields but did not need microspikes.

The view from partway up!

Old Snowy Mountain- not too safe for a scramble summit today but we climbed right beside it.

I made it to the highest point on the Pacific Crest Trail in Washington 7200 feet!

Here I am at the start of the Knife's Edge section of the Pacific Crest Trail.

Old Snowy Mountain stood guard!

You can see the knife's edge right along the top of the peaks.

We decided to hike some along the knife's edge and got about halfway, then decided to turn around due to time and distance. We met several thru hikers. It was much more up and down than I expected which is partially why it can be scary due to all the loose rock and exposure.

Taking a much needed break!

My hiking companions headed up the knife's edge.

Mt. Rainier in the distance. We climbed back to 7200 feet a second time. It really was uphill both ways ;-)

Back at Snowgrass Flats I was again wowed by the wildflower meadow.

The diversity and number of flowers was stunning.

On the way back to camp I took a very cold shower.

Sunset in our Cispus Basin Home. Very sore and tired but amazed at what this section of trail had to offer today.

Goat Rocks- Cispus Basin

I have been working up to this trip in the Goat Rocks for months. I started out with my favorite Washington hiking club at Walupt Lake. I had seen it once before last year when we were rained out of our hike in the Goat Rocks, finished a 20 mile day, and drove back to the car shuttle here. It was very nice to see the lake in the sunshine and I was excited to revisit the Goat Rocks. On Day 1 we hiked about 8.5 miles from Walupt Lake to Cispus Basin via Nanny Ridge.

We started with some climbing and enjoyed seeing glimpses of Mt. Adams.

We hiked along the Nanny Ridge trail and soon came to Nanny Peak.

On Nanny Peak we could see three mountains, Adams, Rainier, and St. Helens

Heading back along the trail the wildflowers were putting on quite a show.

The ridgetops were quite beautiful with a little bit of snow from the heavy snowfall last winter.

The Indian Paintbrush flowers were so bright!

We came to Sheep Lake where two people enjoyed swimming. I just dipped my feet this time.

I continued to be impressed by the diversity and abundance of wildflowers.

Many Columbine were blooming and welcomed us.

We continued to see ridges in the distance. I enjoyed the shape of this one.

Beloved mountains in the distance. I think this is Rainier, though Adams was closer this trip and it was a little disorienting to remember which mountain I was looking at. They were both stunning!

More BRIGHT Indian Paintbrushes.

We approached Cispus Pass toward the day's end, with every step leading us to more and more amazing wilderness.

There was lots of Heather flowers along the way.

As we approached Cispus Pass we found snow but crossed easily.

Coming over the pass and seeing the basin which would be out home away from home for the next two nights.

Our campsite in paradise!

I enjoyed filtering water from this glacier fed stream and we enjoyed our evening chores and meal. I called it a night pretty early and slept so well in my little tent.

There were several of these delicate Glacier Lilies that we were careful to not impact near our campsite.

The view from peaking out my tent just before bed.

Resting for a big day of adventures tomorrow including the highest point on the Pacific Crest Trail in Washington and the Knife's Edge section.