FOUND ITEM: nice pocket knife under a bush next to the trail, near the Stafford Creek campsite. Looks like it hadn't been out there too long. If you can tell me what brand+model it is, I'll send it back to you! If nobody claims by 8/24/25, I'm keeping it.

Also the road's fine, the trail was in good condition, lovely views at the top, it was hot, etc. Nothing new since other trip reports.

I went on a hike today without my dogs. Sigh... 

It was kind of a spur of the moment decision to leave them home and I felt horrible all day, but it is what it is. It was nice being truly alone, but if you think I hike fast when the dogs are with me...holy smokes...I practically ran to get home to them today. 13.7 miles, 4,250 ft vert, average 16:30 miles with my pack. Either way, with or without them, it seems I can't relax. 

Anyway, I got started up the trail around 9:30am. There were two other vehicles in the lot on this Tuesday morning.  The trail is super dry and dusty, as usual this time of year. The first 3 miles or so are mostly in the trees and just a mild incline, so it was pretty cool busting through there. I passed one person picking huckleberries and then another carrying an overnight pack up. Those were the 2 vehicles so I knew I likely wouldn't see anyone else on the way up. 

I kept pressing on. Just after the big meadow I saw a very large deer. I must have startled it as much as it startled me. At the "moon landing" section there was full sun, but a little breeze, so the 80° temp didn't feel too bad. I made it to the summit at 11:40. I've been up there so many times there wasn't much need to linger. I drank my first water of the day, took a few pics and headed back down for my least favorite part - the hike out. 

On the way out I passed 3 different people hiking in, one of them just picking berries, I think. There were tons of thimbleberry and huckleberry, which I noticed more on the way out. Wildflowers are a bit past peak at this point but they aren't completely gone. There are definitely still some decent ones remaining. 

I rolled my ankle twice, nothing unusual, which is why I wear my boots. This time I also somehow rolled my leg right above my boot level and thought I broke it, with two miles to go. It was the sharpest pain ever and I dropped and could barely put any weight on it, but it wasn't my ankle. It was much higher. It was weird. I think it is ok. I grumbled a lot more on the final hike out. Not sure what I would have done without an emergency beacon, but anyways. Probably hopped out on one leg, knowing me. lol. 

I got home around 3:00, happy to see my girlies, but still mentally poopy today. Mountains + exercise do help though. Life is messy. Take care of yourselves. 

A beautiful overnight at Navaho Pass!

The berries are ripe!  I had a hard time not stopping too much to enjoy the berries.  I could have spent all day with just the berries if I weren't out to check on this trail. 
The trail isn't too steep all the way to the pass, but from the pass to the peak, it gets more aggressive.  The trail to the peak is ready to follow; the scree holds well to the hill, so traction is adequate.  
I couldn't find a summit register, not an easy place to go, so I was surprised not to find it. 
Rainier was faint because of the haze and scattered clouds on the west side.
Only two hikers and two on mt bikes the whole day.  Wednesday is a good day to hike up there?

We arrived at the trailhead at 8:15 am and there was space for about 6-7 cars. Toilet was clean and had TP.  The trail was in good condition and pleasantly cool for about the first mile or two. As we climbed and the trail got more exposed it got quite warm - high predicted for the day had been 79, but it felt much hotter. At about 5 miles, one member of our group of 6 wasn't feeling well because of the heat. We had all been drinking electrolytes, but probably needed 1-2 liters. I stayed with her and we hiked back down to the stream at 3.5 miles which was a  lovely spot to cool off and wait for the rest of our group. Though this trail is supposed to be 11 miles and 3000' gain, all of the members of the group that went to the pass noted nearly 6 miles on their GPS, so closer to 12 miles than 11 as listed in the hiking guide. The trail along the creek is very enjoyable and we had a wonderful day in the mountains despite the heat.