Chinook Pass to Sheep Lake onward to Sourdough Gap via the Pacific Crest Trail and then to the National Park Boundary overlooking Crystal Lake. Another glorious fall hike. A delightful, relatively short day hike of about 5 miles round trip. Maybe 1000 ft elevation gain. We had always avoided this trail because from the map it looks like it follows Hwy 410-which it does. But the highway is dropping quickly down the the hill while you walk a level, narrow easy tread with great views to the southeast and Naches Peak (but not Rainier) that feels quite isolated. After about a mile, it turns up into the forest and in another 0.5 miles you reach Sheep Lake. There was only one other group there when we arrived at 1:30 so we found ourselves a private sunny spot, where Maisie could drink and dash around the meadow. The humans saw fish and frogs. The wildflowers are now only seed pods of interesting texture, the huckleberries a red brown, the water clear, with shallow sand to mud bottom, lots of colour. Why did the next group of hikers decide to park themselves right behind us and talk loudly when the rest of the lake was deserted? We continued up the well graded trail to Sourdough Gap, about an hour at an easy pace. The knife edge gap was crowded with people talking about changing diapers (oh well) so we continued on a side hill trail to the next gap in the ridge. (Meanwhile the PCT turns right down into the drainage) This turned out to be the National Park Boundary (no Maisie beyond this point). Still lovely views of Mt. Rainier and Crystal Lake. Back down to Sheep Lake, the slanting sun gave us a different perspective, we saw one tent, well away from the lake; it looked like it would be a beautiful but COLD evening. Total roundtrip time at a leisurely pace stopping for views and lunch about 4 hours.

This was my third hike on this lovely trail. As always, we were not disappointed. The wildflowers were abundant but still not at their peak; another week or two and it will be spectacular! We saw lots of blue lupine, orange and pink paintbrush, elephant heads, buckwheat, tiger lilies, purple asters, etc. etc. The sky threatened rain and it was quite windy up at the gap, but no drops fell until we began driving home. The hike up to Sheep Lake is quite easy and well worth the effort, even if one decides not to go up to the gap. There were lots of campers at the lake and lots of dogs -- many not on leash. We saw the ""calling cards"" of horses on the trail too but never saw the horses. A large marmot posed warily for a photo. No pesky bugs! Just another wonderful day in the mountains!

Seeking flowers and sun, we headed to Chinook Pass and the Sourdough Gap trail. We found all the flowers we could have wished for but the weather was a different matter. Accustomed to hiking in hot, sunny August conditions we had thankfully packed appropriate clothing for the misty, foggy trek. In the end, the weather made for a wonderful hike. We enjoyed watching the ebb and flow of the fog. The mist-covered abundant flowers were outstanding. The only time we were uncomfortable was in the middle of Sourdough Gap which acted like a wind tunnel. This trail is accurately billed as a mountain meadow hike. We enjoyed the views down the valley as we paralleled above 410 for the first 1 1/2 miles. Once we turned north the beautiful meadows began. We soon encountered Sheep Lake and the climb up to the gap. The flowers were fresh and colorful for the entire hike. There was one group already camping at the lake with another group coming in for the evening. There was only one other day hiking group; we met up at the top and compared notes on other hiking options beyond the gap. The trail is in great shape and we had no problems with bugs, however, that could change with warmer conditions. If you are looking for flowers, consider this hike soon - 6 miles round trip with about 1000 feet elevation gain.

Sourdough Gap is good to go this year. There's only one iffy snow patch after the gap, heading north (yesterday it was getting quite slushy and slick). Flowers look to be more abundantly insane than ever and I come here every year at some time or another. Bugs were also abundant and hungry in the upper 80’s weather. This trail has been reported enough on that I won’t go into much detail but if you’ve got a bum knee or ailment that needs a polite grade of trail, free of irritating rocks and roots this is the one. It starts high (5400 ft) and gets higher (6400) for views of Rainier (in your face if you go a little further north from the gap), Adams, St. Helens and the Goat Rocks. Sheep Lake is a family kind of lake and has some nice shallow, sandy wading spots with a pleasant temperature for swimming too. Please obey the No Camping Within 100 ft of the Lake signs! After Sheep Lake, the trail switchbacks up to the gap through flower meadows with stunning views all the way up. Some folks scramble up for more views north at the gap and others go into MRNP about 1/4 of a mile north for a lunch spot on a bump with Rainier looming over you and Upper Crystal Lake calling to you from below (no dogs in MRNP please). But, get this straight as I’ve happened upon some confused dudes once who went miles north on the PCT trying to find the lunch spot: After the gap, the trail into MRNP and Crystal Lakes stays up and to the left, the PCT switchbacks down to the right and then heads up and north. There’s no sign at the junction where these 2 trails meet and the Green Trails map barely shows the MRNP trail and does not even show how it connects to the Crystal Lakes trail. This is a high, dry, hot, windy area so lots of water and sunscreen will make your trek here much more pleasant. FYI, it is no longer free to park and hike out of Chinook Pass, so bring your pass or $5.00 cash.

Parked at Crystal Mtn and camped at Sheep Lake via Sourdough Gap. 930am Sat. departure, hiked under a lift, then over the ridge. Plenty of good snow still around--used extra caution passing ridge at noon, since we noticed a few small avalanches (and looming cornices) in the area SW of Bear Gap. Glissaded down a few 100' and hiked up to Sourdough Gap. Arrived at Sheep Lake by 2:30pm. Weather included strong winds at night with a low in the mid-20's. Headed out of camp at 9:30am. Crossed the ridge about 1/2 mile north of Sourdough Gap and hiked up the back side. Glissaded down a good ways and hiked the rest out. Back at the cars by 12:30. Ate lots of burgers and fries at a pub in Enumclaw. (: