I returned to Stampede Pass to hike south a few miles on the PCT. Based on its reputation I wasn't expecting much from this stretch, but I was pleasantly surprised.

Stampede Pass is 4.5 miles from the stop sign at the end of the exit from I-90. The unpaved portion is rough for a bit under one mile but improves after that. Just after the crest of the pass you first see the unsigned PCT north trail on your right, then its counterpart on the left. There is a little open area where it is possible to park, but I just pulled off to the side of the road as the three other cars before me had done.

I hiked about 4 miles in, and the trail tread is in good shape, but there are more than a dozen blowdowns within a very short stretch at 3+ miles. There is one short bit in a meadow where the path becomes faint, but the way is obvious. Soon after the blowdowns there is an unmarked "junction"; do not turn here, go straight. I saw only one water source all day, and it was a small spring, so you may want to carry any water you will need. Bugs were not a problem at all on this day.

The trail crosses under power lines a couple times, the first being about 1/2 mile in. As partial compensation, the open area has allowed wildflowers to grow, and the paintbrush and lupine here were fading but still a nice distraction. Many dirt roads are crossed as well; in between though, the areas of forest are surprisingly beautiful. One of the nicest aspects of this hike is the amount of flat forest walking, allowing for plenty of time to relax, look around and enjoy.

Just before 2 miles, a two part stretch of elevation gain begins. Near the end of the first part, a wide view of mountains to the north is worth a stop to look. Snoqualmie Pass peaks, Summit Chief, and Hinman and Daniel on the right. Flatten out awhile, and then make another significant pull until the trail begins contouring a ridge. From here highlights include a couple of lovely(!) burns and an unexpected meadow popping up out of nowhere.( A couple of deer "walked with me" briefly in one of the burns.) Finally, enter more deep forest just before the 4 mile (or so) mark.

Overall, a very nice hike.

The 19 mile hike from Snoqualmie Pass to Stampede Pass is not spectacular but is pleasant with easy terrain. I did it as a hike-n-bike, camping overnight at Mirror Lake, the half way point. That is, I left the car at Stampede Pass, then biked back to Snoqualmie Pass, where I’d stashed by backpack.

A few mosquitos approached when I sat down, but no big deal. There were scattered, easy-to-navigate snow patches from around 4300’ elevation to the Silver Peak turnoff. South of this turnoff, there were more extensive snow banks – ice axe or hiking poles recommended, but no snow once past Tinkham Basin.

Great wildflowers, nice lake, plenty of water, met no one south of Mirror Lake, but had a great camp-side chat with Chris at Mirror Lake. My day south of Mirror Lake was entirely in the clouds with scattered light showers. Saw several trees with freshly stripped bark. Bear?

Route: Norse Peak trail to Goat Lake trail, Goat Lake to PCT, PCT south to Bullion Basin (northern passage, short and steep), Bullion Basin to FS 7190-410, and 7190-410 back to my car. 11.8 miles, only saw 4 groups, started at 6:15. 

The only snow patches were the 4 on the the Goat Lake trail. These were easy, less than 10 degrees, dirty footprints to step in, and no threatening run-outs. About 1 out of 10 people would want traction on the "worst" of these, see picture #3. The Little Crow Basin trail is melted out, see the upper left corner of picture #2. 

There are 6 blowdowns on the Goat Lake trail, 5 are easy, one is a little tricky, you have to gain about 20 feet of elevation to get over it. When in doubt see where the elk hooves go, they are good at finding the best way around and down, they even used a switchback in one spot. There are 4 easy blowdowns on the PCT portion. 

This was my first time on the Goat Lake trail. It is beautiful country. The trail does cross some rock fields, but they are not bad (picture 4, see a lot of the trail course including the 2 rock fields). Overall the tread is much better than the Basin Lake trail to the south.  Most of the trail course was burnt in the fire, a plus is that you can always see the mountains that are around you. I saw nobody camping down at Goat Lake (there is a side trail that takes you down to the lake). 

Flowers: There are flowers along the entire route, but the highlight was the 3rd mile of the Norse Peak trail. There is lupine, beargrass, arnica, and littleflower penstemon in thick volumes. There are dozens of other flowers blooming for variety. 

There are many advantages to starting early, today the sun rising over the early morning clouds/fog created some beautiful colors with the trees on the ridgeline casting shadows. 

A small photo album is attached and I have attached a map of the areas that burned and the severity of the burns.  

I hiked the Bullion Basin trail, both trails that lead from the basin to the PCT, and 4 miles north on the PCT. There is no snow except for some easy and short patches on the gentle route up to the PCT from the basin (the southern route) and there are 4 small and easy patches on the PCT 2.5 miles north of Bullion Basin. Anyone who is above a 1 out of 10 on snow would feel uncomfortable on these patches of snow. 

Flowers: There are many fields of yellow (snow buttercups mainly and glacier lilies) north of Scout Pass that can be seen from the trail and on the trail. Phlox colors the hillsides in many areas. A great variety of flowers and a lot more to come. A partial list, there is a google photo album attached with many flower photos: wild strawberries  lupine, yellow violet, Jacob's ladder, foam flower, red Columbine, paintbrush (red, Thompson's, and magenta),  thistle, bunchberry, Oregon anemone, trillium, bluebells,  spring beauties,  phlox,  hellebore,  purple violets, parsnip, ballhead waterleaf, snow buttercups,  glacier lilies, littleflower penstemon, western wallflower (or prairie rocket :-), white marsh marigold, white globeflower larkspur, western anemone, buckwheat, fleabane, stonecrop, and many, many more.      

On this sunny Tuesday I hiked from 10-6 and encountered one group of 2 people. The Norse Peak Wilderness is a wonderful place to have to yourself! There are more elk hoof prints on the trail than boots. Basin Lake is quite fetching from the PCT, I'll be visiting it more closely someday soon. 

Regarding the I section of the PCT northbound from Chinook Pass to Snoqualmie Pass, the trail starts out in great condition from Chinook Pass up past Sheep Lake to Sourdough Gap. On the far side it continues in good condition (and with cell reception) along the ridge above Crystal Mountain basin. There are a number of spur trails to nearby peaks, however light rain can obscure any chance at a view. 

After the first handful of miles, the trail enters a recently burned zone. After about 18 miles arch rock spring provided an excellent source of water. Due to the fire the nearby campsites are unappealing and the trail to Arch Rock itself is gone. 

The cabin in Government Meadows is in good condition, if full of mice, and provides a warm though poorly lit place for a pause, complete with woodturning stove. 

The stretch from Government Meadows to Snoqualmie is crisscrossed with forest roads, old logging roads and high-power lines. However mirror lake provides a scenic interlude and its waters are warm enough to be swimmable, even on a rainy September day. 

Along the route there were no difficult river crossings. There were at least three trail-adjacent springs, and number of additional points where water crossed the trail making filtering easy. The water at Government Meadows is an unappealing brown, perhaps due to peat. 

September 18 - Government Meadows. Good campsites, six other groups. 

September 19 - Abandoned Logging road near spring. Good campsites, one other group.

Total distance 69.8 Miles with 9,294 feet of ascent.