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.
Comments
Jacque on Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) - Chinook Pass to Snoqualmie Pass, Bullion Basin
Any trees blocking the trail? Beautiful pictures! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by:
Jacque on Jul 02, 2020 08:04 PM
AlpsDayTripper on Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) - Chinook Pass to Snoqualmie Pass, Bullion Basin
No blocking trees, a walk-around, 2 step-overs, and a duck-under. They are all easy, just watch the fire-tempered branches, they can be sharp. Have fun! Thanks the photo shout out.
Posted by:
AlpsDayTripper on Jul 02, 2020 08:11 PM
Poorbrokefella on Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) - Chinook Pass to Snoqualmie Pass, Bullion Basin
Awesome photographs. I was looking at going up there to do some dispersed camping with my 5 year old. (near Bullion Basin). What do you mean by '1 of 10 on snow'....? Ive never heard that before regarding snow travel.
Posted by:
Poorbrokefella on Jul 04, 2020 11:46 AM
AlpsDayTripper on Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) - Chinook Pass to Snoqualmie Pass, Bullion Basin
The little bit of snow that was there has melted, but to answer your question. When discussing snow, I try to give context. It's best to include a picture of the snow when applicable. I want to try to help people determine whether they would be able to get across the snow. A 1 out of 10 is someone who doesn't feel comfortable walking on snow period. A 10 out of 10 is someone who would cross a 70 degree slope where a slip would mean death. I've thought about putting together a scale with descriptions of each, I could refer people to that when I use the scale in a report. Thanks for the question and the photo shout out. Have fun camping with your son!
Posted by:
AlpsDayTripper on Jul 05, 2020 03:16 PM