Finally decided to take on the Chinook Pass Loop for the UPWC group that I am a part of.  This loop begins at Tipsoo Lake at Cayuse Pass, takes the PCT towards Dewey and Anderson Lakes and continues along that trail until the junction with Laughingwater Creek Trail.  There you follow that trail to it's junction with the Eastside Trail, which you then follow all the way back up to the Cayuse Pass and a return to Tipsoo Lake.  The loop is about 30 miles with 6,000' of cumulative gain.

Started at an empty Tipsoo Lake parking lot at 7:15.  No bugs at the lake surprisingly and I was glad to finally have some good weather after being weathered out on my two previous trips this week.  Started around the lake and jumped on the PCT right after crossing the Mount Rainier National Park sign.

After six weeks of solid talus fields, boulder hopping, glacier travel and bushwhacking, it was a delight to have the smooth freeway like PCT in front of me.  I could keep my head on a swivel, taking in the amazing alpine views instead of constantly having to check my feet.  Intermittent snow covered the path but never more than ten yards worth and no traction was needed.  Wildflowers are starting to head into peak season at this elevation.  Lots of water sources along this section. 

Wound my way around various lakes, said hi to a couple of friends I crossed paths with and soaked up the views of Tahoma. At about eleven miles, I made the right onto Laughingwater Creek trail and was delighted to coast down this sublime trail.  From alpine meadows into old growth forest, this trail is sublime.  A few patches of snow up high but no real obstacles along the entire descent.  Plentiful water sources along this section. 

Then I was at Silver Falls, admiring the various blue hues in the pools of water before taking a right on the Eastside Trail and making my way back north.  Some crowd dodging until the Grove of Patriarchs but after that, the trail was mostly mine.  Wind blowing had the trees really "speaking" and I caught a bear on the trail in time to say hi before they took off into the undergrowth.  The symphony of the trees and running water only occasionally interrupted by passing cars or bikes  on Hwy 123.  Water sources were a bit more scarce in this section but still they are there every few miles. 

The climb up to Cayuse pass was a bit of a grind and had the roughest sections of trail of the route but it was still easily followed back up to the lake.  Plenty of water sources up high on this section of trail to refill your water.  Returned to a very busy Tipsoo Lake a little after one.  

Absolutely loved this route and it's a dream for both hiker and trail runner.  I cannot recommend it enough. 

The trail was wide about half way through before getting very narrow on Wonderland trail section due to overgrown. We turned around about less then half a mile to the waterfalls at the slide area. I could see the trail but it was about a foot wide and exposed with a drop. The lose rocks and soft ground made me nervous. There seems to be a sharp turn after that section because we could see where the trail goes after the slide section. The image I took of the slide area is not very easy to tell where the trail is, but basically the rocky area on the left side of the image is the trail and that leads to the foot wide section. Then the trail continues on the right side of the image where the shrubs are. It seems some people before us made it through. 

We started at the Box Canyon Picnic parking lot and headed west on the Wonderland Trail after reaching Stevens Creek.  The trail had several places where vegetation was encroaching on both sides.  The section of the trail carved into the steep washed out slope between Sylvia Falls and Martha falls was scary.  After causing a mini-avalanche by an errant foot placement, I turned around.  My husband, who has the balance of a gymnast, made it almost all the way across the washout.  But he too turned around when faced with what he called a 50-50 two-steps section.   He said he felt like there was a 50% chance he'd make it without falling down the steep, eroded hillside.  Seemed just too much risk to continue on to Martha Falls.  

We set out around 9:30am on Saturday morning, and there was not a single other car in the parking lot.  The forecast said chance of rain in the afternoon or something similarly doable to any PNW resident.  There was apparently a trail race that day and we saw 3-4 trail runners jog by throughout the hike.  Otherwise traffic was limited to a couple of backpackers and maybe 1-2 day hiking groups that showed up later.  

The hike itself was great!  The waterfall viewpoint at 0.5 miles and the bridge at 0.7 mile were both beautiful, and would make a great short hike for those not interested in all 8 miles.  Be forewarned though, that short hike would involve a couple hundred feet of elevation, but it's worth it!

There's a toilet at Maple Creek Camp at 1.7 miles.  Human waste and toilet paper only, no wipes or garbage!

There is some really nice stonework by a trail crew where a stone wall was constructed at the base of the talus slope - presumably to prevent rockfall from covering the trail . 

The trail was nice and shaded, and would probably be great for a sunny day.  The riverbed terrain next to the trail with channels formed in the cobblestones, gravel, and sand was also an interesting destination.  Thimbleberries, salmonberries, and huckleberries were eaten :)  Martha falls at the end had a nice clearing to break at and enjoy lunch before heading back.  

Great hike to avoid the crowds.  Not as breakthtaking as others, but it still had some nice features and would be a great way to beat the heat. 

#hikingthestate

We hiked from Reflection lake to Nickel creek ( about 8 miles) with our daughter, who is doing the entire wonderland trail. Beautiful day. We parked one car at Reflection lake and the other at Box Canyon.

Started at 9 am and only saw 2 other groups of hikers up until Box Canyon. This part of the trail is not well traveled and  not too well maintained..it is very overgrown in parts.

The trail is mostly downhill, which requires very modest aerobic capacity but good knees ( which I don't have).  About 2-3 miles from Reflection lake, there is a ledge overlooking a stream,  which has very loose rock.. the trail is almost eroding. 

At Box Canyon ( about 7 miles from Reflection lake) part of the trail ( and the Box Canyon overlook) was closed for maintenance, but you can easily get around , use the restroom, and get back on the Wonderland Trail. We said goodbye to our daughter at Nickel creek. 

OK hike, I would only recommend to those doing the Wonderland Trail. Nothing special between the beginning  (the AMAZING Reflection Lake)  until you get to Box Canyon.