Drive about 24 miles from Randle south on FR 23 to the trailhead on the right. Immediately cross a stream about mid-calf deep this year. About 1.4 miles of gentle upstream on a wide trail through an attractive, moderately-dense forest along a creek. The trail then turns steeply uphill and is rutted badly by motorcycle traffic - a tough slog, and to top it off the forest is dark, full of dry brush, and seemingly devoid of life. At around 3 miles, the hike opens up somewhat onto a more open flank of the ridge - be careful! There's a fork in the trail and the leftmost fork (to Dark Meadow), which is the one you want, is extremely easy to miss - it occurs at a sharp right-hand corner on the trail. It's unsigned. The right fork climbs the open flank a little and then plunges you back into dark, rutted, steep uphill slogging - if you find this happening to you retrace your steps because you missed the turnoff. That's what happened to us! There are tons of huckleberries along this open flank but they're nowhere near ripe yet. Wild strawberries, too, but they're past season. Minimal bugs, perfect cool temperatures, not another hiker on the trail. Too bad we missed the meadow!

Shepherd and I took my three dogs out for what was supposed to be an easy hike, 600 ft. elevation gain, 8 miles, to Dark Meadow. However, if you follow the directions in ""Best Hikes with Dogs, Western Washington,"" you'll see immediately that you can't access this trail via FR 2325. Instead, between mileposts 24-25 on FR 23, you'll see a pull-off to the right that is signed ""Dark Meadow, Trail #263."" This is the access point you want. Immediately ford shallow Dark Creek (approx. 30 feet across). You'll have to wade across this creek again a bit further up the trail, but that ford is only about 10 feet across. (We opted to take off our boots and socks and go barefoot through the fords.) From there, the trail climbs and climbs through woods for 3.2 miles, when you reach the junction of trails 261 and 263. If you continue to the left, south, you'll go down to Dark Meadow. If you climb instead to the right, going north up trail 261, you'll eventually reach wide-open views of Mt. Adams and the Goat Rocks. While not exactly the stunning views I recall from Juniper Ridge (trail 261, coming down from the north), it was probably because it was an overcast day and we hardly got a glimpse of any peaks until we hit the junction of 261/263. The hardy hiker can continue up trail 261 to Jumbo Peak and Sunrise Peak. We went a little less than a mile up trail 261, until we got a view. I didn't have a topo or my altimeter with me, but I'd estimate we climbed 2600 ft up over 4 miles. The trail is 12-15"" wide up high, moderately rutted from motorcycles and can be dangerous on your ankles when descending. No snow, all blow-downs have been cut away, just some small debris on the trail (twigs, small branches, rocks) and there were no bugs at all today. There is plenty of water along the trail right now; we hopped across 6-8 small creeks, so no need to bring extra water along for the dogs.

Ok folks, get out your White Pass Green Trails map and follow along! If you hike in this vicinity, you'll want your map handy to stay on the right trail, or to explore the area without getting lost, as a lot of trails intersect in this area. In a nutshell, here's the route: Starting at White Pass Campground, taking the PCT north to Trail #1156, Dumbbell Lake. Scrambled up Cramer Mountain above the lake to camp on the ridge. Next day, back to the PCT, heading north to Twin Sisters trail #980, to Tumac Mountain trail #44, to Shellrock Lake Trail #1142, Cramer Lake Trail #1106, and finally Dark Meadow trail #1107 back to the PCT and 1.3 miles back to the parking area at White Pass Campground. Day one, to Cramer Mountain above Dumbbell Lake, was 6.5 to 7 miles, the last 700' in elevation gain being bushwhacking up Cramer Mountain, carrying lots of extra water for me and my dogs. The summit itself didn't offer a good place to camp, but I found a nice flat spot on the ridge on the western shoulder. Great views of Mt Adams, the Goat Rocks, Mt Rainier, and the various peaks east of Chinook Pass. It was also a wonderful reprieve from the mosquitoes! I encountered a large herd of elk while descending the slope the next morning. Day two, the big loop north to Tumac, etc., was 20.5 miles, with the only significant elevation gain being Tumac Mountain, which was also the only part of the trail not in the shade. Again, great views from the top of Tumac. The bugs, however, were wicked! Very lovely! All of the descriptions of the hike to Tumac Mountain that I had read approached from the north, but I wanted to start at White Pass. A large part of this hike is in the trees, but there are some splendid views at times, and a lot of time spent in high alpine meadows, skinny trees and lots and lots of lakes. (and lots of mosquitoes!) The PCT portions are in fairly good shape, with a few areas mucked up by horses, but clear of all blow-downs. The route got quite ""horsey"" on the other trails, but tolerable and clear of blowdowns except the Dark Meadows trail (#1107) which had a lot of trees down. There is a bridge out on trail #1106, just north of Dog Lake, requiring fording the river. The water was not deep, but the rocks could be slick. Day one, I saw one person on a horse, and two day hikers. Day two, I saw no one! The Twin Sisters Lakes are very beautiful and look like a good place to camp (but it looks like it could be a popular horse camp, too). And Tumac Mountain was surprisingly lovely and interesting. All in all, it was a good time. I would recommend doing this after the mosquitoes have cleared out, though.

We left a car at Mason Lk road at TH of the Ira Spring Trail, then drove to Denny Creek TH for a fairly early start on a record-high temp day. Hiked to beautiful Melakwa Lake on decent trail conditions, saw a few other hikers and groups camped at the Lake. With it hot already at 10 AM, we could not resist a swim in the cold clear lake. Then on to Lower Tuscohatchie Lk for a short break and and on to Pratt Lk. This trail #1011 is somewhat overgrown with several blow downs and a clogged culvert and listing short bridge at Tuscohatchie Lk. Bugs coming out, including few man-eating deer flies. Nice views of Chair Peak and down the Pratt River drainage. Went south and up on #1007, took a right at #1009, much better maintained, and next quick swimming stop was Rainbow Lake. Shallower, warmer water felt great. Then on to Mason Lake for some real swimming across the lake, with others out in the water and sunbathing on the rocks by campsites. What a place to be when it's 93 in Seattle! Finally 3.4 mi down the new and improved Ira Spring Trail, with a stop to admire the bronze plaque at the junction with Bandera climbers trail and admired the 20' of great tread made by one of our party. Hot exposed switchbacks on the way down, with one last stop to get wet in a little waterfall in the woods. This was 15 miles on trial in 7 hours with some jogging and stops.

Rain, fog, gusty winds. What a great day to hike the vast flat lands of the southern William O. Douglas Wilderness near the Cascade Crest. I came prepared for the rain that I was driving in, and upon my departure from the PCT North trailhead at White Pass, it was raining pigs-n-chickens out! Ah, but with rainhat on, pack cover in place, and cover in place over my chest harness to protect the majority of my camera gear, I was a snug critter in the woods today. The forest was spooky with the rain and fog, and downright scaring me when the winds picked up as the cold front passed at 8:42AM near Sand Lake. The rain stopped, the fog blew out, and gusty cold wind started. The trees were making some STRANGE noises up there. Alas, the famous mosquitoes of the area couldn't come out to play on such a wet and windy day though! I saw only one skeeter...and of course he nailed me on my finger of all places. Deer Lake was nice, Sand Lake was stunning, and the volcanic rocks in the shallow waters of the lakes were very interesting to check out. One shore of Sand Lake was ablaze in lupines for a stunning image. I continued on the PCT until I headed over to Dumbbell Lake, and then debated on whether to head up Cramer Mountain or not. I chose not since the fog and low clouds wouldn't offer a view anyhow. Of course, as soon as I was south of Cramer Lake heading back out the sun came out! Cramer Lake was peaceful, and the meadows of grass in the alpine fir forest were stunning (as were all those over by Sand Lake and beyond along the PCT). From a very far distance I enjoyed 4 elk south of Cramer Lake. I then made fast time with the almost flast trails in this area and headed back toward Dog Lake, then cut across Dark Meadows trail to return to the White Pass trailhead on the PCT. A perfect day to pick a hike that isn't big on vast views, but on forest, lakes, and meadows.

Ahhh! Run Away! Giant mosquitos swarming everywhere! We hiked from Dog Lake to the cutoff for PCT to Deer Lake and Sand Lake. The higher the elevation, the worse the mosquitos. We managed a fairly pleasant night at Sand Lake because we wore mosquito helmets and full suits of clothing on this warm night and sat in front of the smoky fire. By the next morning, the bugs had told all their friends, and we were literally coated with them if we stood in one place longer than 20 seconds. My kids were miserable from the bites they had received the night before and spent the morning hiding in the tent. We feared for our lives when we had to disrobe to pee. We practically ran back to the car with the swarms following us. What a disappointment to have such glorious weather, a heavenly setting and no one else around--and to be chased out by the bugs.